Gun terminology

It seems like every time guns are in the news someone misuses terminology, usually in the name of making something sound scary. I’m posting these here so I can refer back to this later.

  • Semi-automatic = loads another round after a round is fired, requires a trigger pull for each shot. Basically any modern gun that’s not break-action, lever action, pump action, or revolver.
  • Fully automatic = can fire multiple shots with one trigger pull
  • Assault rifle = fully automatic rifle
  • Assault weapon = anti-gun term made up to make semi-automatic weapons sound more scary
  • Magazine = holds bullets
  • Clip = holds your pen in your shirt pocket (mostly)