What is an "Assault Rifle?"

Sure, it's a paranoia compensator for men with little issues. It's also a status symbol for them at gun ranges, and the amount of ammo it goes through very quickly not only proves how rich you to have bought the gun, it also proves your on-going wealth. This is not unlike the potlatches of the Pacific Northwest Indians, from which we get our word, "Potluck"

"Dorothy Johansen describes the dynamic: "In the potlatch, the host in effect challenged a guest chieftain to exceed him in his 'power' to give away or to destroy goods. If the guest did not return 100 percent on the gifts received and destroy even more wealth in a bigger and better bonfire, he and his people lost face and so his 'power' was diminished."[11] Hierarchical relations within and between clans, villages, and nations, were observed and reinforced through the distribution or sometimes destruction of wealth, dance performances, and other ceremonies. The status of any given family is raised not by who has the most resources, but by who distributes the most resources. The hosts demonstrate their wealth and prominence through giving away goods.

For some cultures, such as Kwakwaka'wakw, elaborate and theatrical dances are performed reflecting the hosts' genealogy and cultural wealth. Many of these dances are also sacred ceremonies of secret societies like the hamatsa, or display of family origin from supernatural creatures such as the dzunukwa.
Edward Curtis photo of a Kwakwaka'wakw potlatch with dancers and singers

Chief O'wax̱a̱laga̱lis of the Kwagu'ł describes the potlatch in his famous speech to anthropologist Franz Boas,

We will dance when our laws command us to dance, we will feast when our hearts desire to feast. Do we ask the white man, 'Do as the Indian does'? No, we do not. Why, then, will you ask us, 'Do as the white man does'? It is a strict law that bids us to dance. It is a strict law that bids us to distribute our property among our friends and neighbors. It is a good law. Let the white man observe his law; we shall observe ours. And now, if you are come to forbid us to dance, begone; if not, you will be welcome to us.[12]
". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch There, I hope this clears up what an assault rifle is, in the sense of its role in society. Now please, do tell, in great technical detail, how you define an "assault rifle." I'm sure many will be interested, Aaron Hedenland, and you, as a Marine, must know the answer the best, right?

Potlatch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org