How does the law define the term “semiautomatic assault weapon?”
The term “semiautomatic assault weapon” is defined to include 19 named models of firearms and semiautomatic rifles, semiautomatic pistols, and semiautomatic shotguns that have at least 2 of the features specified in the law. Frames or receivers for firearms are not regulated as semiautomatic assault weapons, since they could be assembled as a firearm other than the 19 named models of firearms. Likewise, frames or receivers are not semiautomatic assault weapons under the “features” test of the law because they do not yet have the features necessary to bring them within the definition. Semiautomatic assault weapons in knockdown (disassembled) condition consisting of a receiver and all parts needed to assemble a complete semiautomatic assault weapon are subject to regulation if the parts are segregated or packaged together and held by a person as the parts for the assembly of a particular firearm. [18 U. S. C.
