Quote Originally Posted by JamesWales View Post

What I really don't understand is why the need for assault weapons is such a big issue? I can understand-in theory-why a pistol can protect your family, keep the government at bay, uphold your amendment rights etc. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. I also understand the principle behind hunting rifles and what have you.
Whats baffles me is the assault weapons - why would anyone need them? How can anyone argue in favour of them? I assume the argument is that if the government have them or if criminals have them, then so to should "the good guys?"
So you have a hand gun to protect your family ( in America that seems the norm, nothing wrong with that statement )

so a intruder breaks into your house, he has a hand gun, you have a hand gun, fairly even, now think of the advantage you would have when you break out a AR-15 with extended mag, you have the upper hand, of course the intruder might also have the same AR-15 though breaking into a house with a AR would be pretty cumbersome but who the hell knows