They are tools designed to send .small.projectile towards a target at a consistent velocity, consistent vector, in a precise and accurate manner. They should be allowed in the hands of police, military, and responsible law abiding citizens. Outright banning firearms for civilian use at this point would be only detrimental. There is simply too many civilian firearms in use, it would be nearly impossible to account for them all. And the only people would keep their weapons hidden from police are criminals, and those fearing hostile government tyranny. And with military(I doubt regular police would be used, it would be a federal mandate, not a city or state one) coming to your door trying take away a rifle that may have been in your family for generations I can't really blame them. Neither of those people would be good to have around. Regulations on weapons, and just regular crime control would be the only real solution. The term "assault weapon" has degraded into a media term any scary look weapons. Such as those painted black, equipped with holographic sights, extendable stocks, lasersights, flash lights, etc. When in reality, assault weapon should only be defined as "full auto or burst firing modes, and magazines extended beyond what the manufacture originally used." Those are the only two characteristics that are intended for combat against humans, and pose a real threat. Those other ones I listed(which are, coincidentally much easier to identify) are put on firearms the majority of the time, and I'm going to get so much bullshit for this, but it's my opinion, because they look cool. A civilian AR-15 equipped with holographic sights, extendable stocks, painted black, and has a flashlight is a military grade rifle about as much an engine stock Ford Fiesta with cool stickers, bucket seats, and a cool paint job is Ken Block's Works Fiesta with a 700bhp engine, and stripped down to all non-essentials. The stock might look cool, but it still has 130bhp, and a couple hundred pounds of airbags, automatic transmission, air conditioner and a bunch of other stuff that makes it not Ken Block's Fiesta. For my personal use? A shotgun kept for home defense use, just like a fire extinguisher would be. And conceal and carry handgun, in the same manner I drive a car with airbags.