"Tactical" vs. "Assault"

[UNCjigga]

Definition (via Google):
tac·ti·cal (ˈtaktək(ə)l)
adjective
Relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military end.

"as a tactical officer in the field he had no equal"

(of bombing or weapons) done or for use in immediate support of military or naval operations.

(of a person or their actions) showing adroit planning; aiming at an end beyond the immediate action.
"in a tactical retreat, she moved into a hotel with her daughters"

Compare that with the word "assault":

1. Make a physical attack on.
"he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer"
"he assaulted a police officer"
...
carry out a military attack or raid on (an enemy position).
"they left their strong position to assault the hill"
synonyms: attack, assail, pounce on, set upon, strike, fall on, swoop on, rush, storm, besiege
"they regrouped to assault the hill"

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What's in a word? Quite a lot, apparently. I've always wondered why gun rights advocates cringe whenever someone refers to "assault" weapons or an "assault" rifle, but are perfectly happy with the use of "tactical". In fact, there's quite a huge market for "tactical" gear--everything from guns and knives to flashlights and cargo pants.

Why are "tactical" or "commando" acceptable words when they essentially refers to the same thing as "assault"--pertaining for use with military operations? I hear people argue that black AR15 platforms with rails, collapsible stocks and large magazines are essentially the same rifles as their wooden stock brethren used for hunting. They dismiss their description as "assault rifles" as media hype, because "liberals think these guns look scary".

But the use of the word "tactical" belies the true purpose of these weapons. They are purpose built for killing people. They directly descend from military issue equipment (AR15 = M16/M4). They are not purpose built for hunting or close-quarters home defense.

I find this a fascinating aspect of US gun culture--Swiss, German and Austrian gun manufacturers often abbreviate their rifles with "SG"-- "Sturmgewehr" which literally translates to "assault rifle". I think it would be disingenuous to think that "assault" rifles have to be distinguished by select-fire or full auto capability, when most of the parts are the same.

 

[glenn1]

The term "assault weapon" has a technical definition and a common use definition. The technical definition includes any semi-automatic rifle or carbine designed for intermediate caliber cartridges able to be operated in selective fire mode (single shot and burst or full automatic). In common use "assault weapon" is used to designate any long arm with some functional aspects like semi-automatic action but mostly focused on cosmetic and non-functional features. Both are valid definitions although the former is much more precise and useful as declaring something an "assault weapon" for a feature like a bayonet lug doesn't really impact its lethality or any other useful metric. In the end "tactical" isn't useful as an adjective because "assault weapons" aren't used for the sole purpose of killing people even if that's a primary use. The word "tactical" ought to be properly used to distinguish small unit military maneuvers from strategic military plans. Calling any piece of equipment a "tactical ____" generally means it's something being marketed to you by a private company. The fixed blade knife I'd carry on my parachute rigging wasn't made any sharper or more deadly because the manufacturer used the word "tactical" in the product name.

 

[rommelrommel]

Basically that.

An assault rifle is a select fire (full automatic or multi shot burst) rifle. To be nit picky it should also feed from a magazine and fire an intermediate cartridge.

Many gun owners believe that the media and politicians intentionally use the term incorrectly to make uninformed people believe that you can buy a fully automatic rifle at a gun show with not so much as a background check, which is completely untrue.

Usually what the media means is any black scary looking semi-automatic rifle.

 

[cytg111]

tactical : supressed subsonic heavy 300blk
assault : 7.62x39 drumroll full auto loud as f.