The Difference Between Automatic and Semi-Automatice Rifles

Gun rights advocates argue that legal "automatic weapons," such as the AR-15 used by the shooter in the Aurora, Colorado theater are not automatic (which are illegal), but semi-automatic, meaning that they require a trigger squeeze to fire each shot. Even at that, a practiced shooter can probably squeeze off 45-60 rounds per minute (rpm). However, "bump firing" a semi-automatic rifle emulates automatic firing (although with significant loss of accuracy), and an after market manufacturer offers a special stock that essentially turns a semi-automatic rifle into an automatic with a firing rate of up to 800 rpm. Take a look.