The term "assault weapon" is used to describe a gun with characteristics such as "threading intended to accept a silencer", "collapseable shoulder support", "attachments for mounting stand" and "pistol grip", etc. These have nothing to do with the number of rounds the gun can fire or how fast it can fire them. It also has nothing to do with the buyer or what he intends to do with it when he gets home.

Repeat until it set in: automatic weapons were made illegal in 1934 at the request of J. Edgar Hoover because of the proliferation of the Thompson sub-machine giun. Only a few thousand people in the US hold a permit to own and operate an automatic weapon (machine gun) and extensive training is needed. Also a reason for owning it, which is usually work as a professional security person or cop.

An AK-47 or M-16 with automatic capability is not sold legally and conversion parts are just as illegal as the weapon itself.

The term "assault weapon" is used to scare people. What is being banned will fire one shot each time you pull the trigger. As Rapaire said, about the same as a "double action" 6-shooter from the Wild West days.