This is for THE OLD MEDIC who PM'd me a rather lengthy response in regard to this thread.
Good Grief. Yes I am well aware of the US Constitution.
As an ex military person I have handled numerous weapons, but have yet to hear a feasible argument why a civilian should have access to either an assault weapon or a semi automatic weapon that requires anything larger than a five round mag.
Beyond hunting weapons or a handgun for personal protection I am still waiting for that argument.
UBIQUE
There was a time less than five years ago when I did have the same questions regarding these weapons that you express. That was a long time ago in a land that did not exist, maybe you still live there.