Re "Lawmakers seek new gun restrictions" (Page A1, Dec. 19): Can we first define "assault weapon" before we continue flinging around ill-defined misrepresentations of what constitutes a weapon?
A weapon cannot be an "assault." The assault lies in the intent and action of the person bearing something used as a weapon. It's in the mind and mental state of a person. If the intent is offensive and not in reaction to another action: assault. If the action is in reaction: defense.
If I use an AK-47, a bow and arrow, or a rolling pin to react to an attack, then they are all defense weapons. If I attack first they are assault weapons. Is not the person the assault weapon?
-- John Chase, Rocklin
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