assault weapon

noun

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

Examples of assault weapon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After the Lewiston massacre, Collins has resisted calls for a new ban on assault weapons. James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023 Ensure the livability of our planet for our children and their grandchildren, ban assault weapons and end gun violence, and stand up to the threats facing our democracy. Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner, 13 Nov. 2023 Biden has also pushed for a ban on assault weapons. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2023 In her first year in the Senate, Feinstein authored an assault weapons ban which was signed into law in 1994. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2023 In a major reversal, Golden, a Democrat, called on Congress to ban assault weapons in the wake of the shooting. Brian Dakss, Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2023 Their unbroken influence over the political right has swept votes on issues ranging from bans on assault weapons to high-capacity magazines, both of which Maine’s own Senator Susan Collins voted against. Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 27 Oct. 2023 The 9th Circuit stays a ruling against California’s assault weapons ban, pending an appeal. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023 Republicans control the House, and Democrats only narrowly control the Senate. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who represents Lewiston in Congress, previously opposed gun control measures but reversed his stance last week and is now calling for an assault weapons ban. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assault weapon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault weapon was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near assault weapon

Cite this Entry

“Assault weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20weapon. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on assault weapon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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