Right to Bear Arms (Split from Firearm Thread)

[ViPER1313]

What is the point of an assault weapon (style) ban? I'm trying to figure out the logic of banning relatively large, long, and in-concealable firearms instead of pistols for example. Does it have to do with their range/FPS power? I'm not looking for a political tirade, I just really want to know what the exact thinking is behind such bans.

I really want a M4, but won't be able to afford one before a new ban should it be created. I guess I'll just have to pay up later....

The idea being that if someone opens fire in a large room (school auditorium, train station) they can unload a lesser amount of ammo in X amount of time (I don't know how many rounds manual action vs. semi-auto vs. full auto with small vs. large clips equates to) and inflict a lower amount of damage overall.

Just to stir the pot (I actually lean towards an NRA member's view of gun control) I would like all the gun owners here to answer this - what other purpose do fully automatic / assault type riffles (the legitimately high powered / large caliber ones) serve other than to kill larger numbers of people in a shorter amount of time? A semi-automatic pistol or shotgun should be enough for self defense and I wouldn't think you need one to hunt. I also can't see their application in sport-type shooting.