assault rifle
noun
: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also
: a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire
Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Background checks, assault rifle limitations and more Despite the state's general pro-gun stance, Democrats are pushing for tougher gun control laws, including requiring background checks for the private sale of firearms and allowing local governments to regulate firearms.
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Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2024
Inside, police found one million rounds of ammunition, more than 250 guns — including at least 60 assault rifles — as well as silencers and homemade explosives, authorities say.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Since Ecuador’s president declared war on gangs last month, soldiers with assault rifles have flooded the streets of Guayaquil, a sprawling Pacific Coast city that has been an epicenter of the nation’s yearslong descent into violence.
—Annie Correal Federico Rios, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Young was shot multiple times with an assault rifle.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
In addition to dozens of assault rifles, police also removed several machine guns, some dating back to World War II and the Vietnam War, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Four other people were inside the home, including children and Daniel’s mother, who was injured by Gordon with the assault rifle and is being treated at a hospital, Schorn said.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
He was armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, according to Falls Township Chief of Police Nelson Whitney.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024
The statement added that four other people were there, and that the suspect allegedly bludgeoned Daniel’s mom with an assault rifle.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2024
Inside, police found one million rounds of ammunition, more than 250 guns — including at least 60 assault rifles — as well as silencers and homemade explosives, authorities say.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Since Ecuador’s president declared war on gangs last month, soldiers with assault rifles have flooded the streets of Guayaquil, a sprawling Pacific Coast city that has been an epicenter of the nation’s yearslong descent into violence.
—Annie Correal Federico Rios, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
Young was shot multiple times with an assault rifle.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
In addition to dozens of assault rifles, police also removed several machine guns, some dating back to World War II and the Vietnam War, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Four other people were inside the home, including children and Daniel’s mother, who was injured by Gordon with the assault rifle and is being treated at a hospital, Schorn said.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
He was armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, according to Falls Township Chief of Police Nelson Whitney.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024
The statement added that four other people were there, and that the suspect allegedly bludgeoned Daniel’s mom with an assault rifle.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assault rifle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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