assault weapon

noun

Definition of assault weapon

: any of various automatic or semiautomatic firearms especially : assault rifle

Examples of assault weapon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That gunman had been recently dismissed from his job and went to his former workplace with an AK-47 assault weapon. — Los Angeles Times, "Orange gunman locked gates of office complex before killing 4; police say he knew victims," 1 Apr. 2021 Graham has long been an opponent on an assault weapon ban. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Senator Lindsey Graham says he has an AR-15 to protect his home from gangs," 29 Mar. 2021 The idea of an assault weapon ban in Congress is pretty much off the table. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - March 28, 2021," 28 Mar. 2021 The majority of the American public does not believe that anyone needs to have an assault weapon. — Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, "Consoler in chief: A president's response to a mass shooting is a defining moment," 25 Mar. 2021 The Colorado shooting suspect purchased an assault weapon 6 days before the shooting, according to court documents released Tuesday. — CBS News, "Boulder shooting sparks calls for gun control as friends and family mourn victims," 25 Mar. 2021 Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol, an assault weapon with a 30-round capacity, on March 16, police said. — Michael R. Sisak, Chron, "Mass shooters exploited gun laws, loopholes before carnage," 25 Mar. 2021 The majority of the American public does not believe that anyone needs to have an assault weapon. — Annie Karni, New York Times, "White House Considers Executive Orders on Gun Control," 24 Mar. 2021 The suspect, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol assault weapon six days before the shootings, according to an arrest affidavit. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Colorado shooter faces first court appearance Thursday as city mourns: Boulder shooting live updates," 24 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assault weapon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Assault weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20weapon. Accessed 15 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA