Tom RileyCOMM 1113

Informative Speech Outline2/14/2013

The Truth Behind Assault Weapons

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the technical differences between assault rifles or and sporting rifles and to familiarize them with some basic terminology regarding the operation of assault rifles and sporting rifles.

Thesis Statement: The major difference between a true assault rifle and a sporting rifle is the fact that assault rifles are equipped for fully-automatic fire, whereas sporting rifles only have the capability to be fired in a semi-automatic fashion, regardless of aesthetic similarities between the two.

I. Introduction

1. As I am sure you all have heard, there are numerous gun control and regulation bills currently in Congress following the tragedy in New Town Conn.

2. As a firearms collector and enthusiast I have had the opportunity to learn and enjoy the operation of numerous weapons systems.

3. Due to the current political issues involving regulation of so-called assault weapons, I feel it necessary to clearly define the technical difference between a true assault rifle, and a sporting rifle.

4. The major difference between a true assault rifle and a sporting rifle is the fact that assault rifles are equipped for fully-automatic fire, whereas sporting rifles only have the capability to be fired in a semi-automatic fashion, regardless of aesthetic similarities between the two.

So let’s talk about some gun parts!

II. Body

A. First, before we observe the technical differences between fully-automatic firearms and semi-automatic firearms it is essential to define a few basic key terms.

1. The key terms to be defined include the receiver, the trigger group, the trigger, the sear, the hammer, the bolt carrier, the bolt, the firing pin, the magazine, the breach and the extractor.

a. The trigger group is a collective name for the trigger, the sear, the hammer, all of the numerous retaining pins and springs, and the entire frame which holds all of these parts together.

b. The trigger is a small curved lever on the bottom of the gun and when depressed will eventually lead to the firing of the gun.

c. The sear or in many cases sear(s) are small levers and hooks designed to catch and hold the hammer back until the shooter wishes to fire the gun by pulling the trigger, when the trigger is pulled, the sear is pulled back and the hammer is released.

d. The hammer is a flat lever with a weighted side which is held under spring tension by the sear. When the sear releases the hammer, the hammer flies forward due to spring tension and strikes the rear of the firing pin forcing it forward.

e. The firing pin is a small metal needle-like component contained in the center of the bolt of a firearm. When the firing pin is struck it thrusts forward and strikes the cartridge, thus firing the gun.

f. The bolt is heavy steel block designed to slide forwards and backwards in the receiver of the firearm, the bolt pulls the cartridge out of the magazine and into the breach and locks it in place for firing.

g. The bolt carrier is driven back when the gun is fired and pulls the bolt back and pushes the hammer down in locked position by the sear.

h. The breach is the end nearest the shooter of the barrel of the firearm, the breach holds the cartridge in position upon firing of the gun.

i. The extractor is a metal, hook-like component which pulls the spend cartridge out of the breach after firing upon the rearward travel of the bolt.

j. The receiver is a long, hollow metal box which attaches to the breach, and magazine and holds the trigger group, and bolt assembly.

k. The magazine holds the cartridges for firing and pushes them up sequentially via a spring.

Now that we understand the basic meaning of the major component of a firearm, let’s discuss the differences between fully automatic assault rifles, and sporting rifles.

B. The major difference in the workings of a fully-automatic firearm, and a semi-automatic firearm lies within the firearms trigger-group, and bolt.

1. The trigger group of a semi-automatic firearm will have a different configuration of sears than in an automatic firearm. The specific configuration will depend on the type of firearm itself.

a. The sears in a semi-automatic firearm will catch the hammer after firing whether the trigger is depressed or not and will not release the hammer until the trigger is released and depressed again.

b. The sears in an automatic firearm will only catch the hammer if the trigger is released and will not catch the hammer if the trigger is continually depressed, once the bolt has moved fully forward. This will result in the gun continuing to fire if the trigger is held down.

2. The bolt in automatic firearms also differs from the bolt in semi-automatic firearms.

a. The bolt in automatic firearms are heavier than in semi-automatic firearms to withstand the metal fatigue induced by automatic fire.

Now that we know what defines an assault rifle, let’s look at some common misconceptions of what defines an assault rifle.

C. An assault weapon is defined as a fully automatic firearm, however, there are numerous sporting rifles which share many exterior similarities to their assault rifle counterparts. These similarities, although sometimes incorrectly thought so, do not make a sporting rifle a true assault rifle.

1. The presence of a pistol grip does not make a rifle, an assault rifle.

a. A pistol grip is simply a handle extending below the receiver, behind the trigger, enabling the shooter to more firmly grasp the firearm, and to steady their aim.

2. The presence of a tactical rail does not make a rifle, an assault rifle.

b. A tactical rail is simply a polymer rigged cover sometimes placed on the top of the receiver, or around the barrel and enables devices enhancing the shooters vision at long distances or in darkness to be attached to the rifle.

3. The presence of an adjustable butt stock does not make a rifle, an assault rifle.

c. An adjustable butt stock simply enables the firearm to fit the shooter more comfortably and to make the day at the range or in the field more enjoyable.

In conclusion.

III. Conclusion

1. An assault rifle is indeed different than a sporting rifle, even though they may appear similar.

2. The difference between assault rifles and sporting rifles is the fact that assault rifles are fully-automatic capable, and sporting rifles are only semi-automatic capable.

Thank you!

IV. References

Note: Your list of references should be a separate page attached to your speech outline.

I expect you to support the material in your speech with a moderate amount of research (at least three separate sources of information). You add to your own credibility when you give appropriate credit to your sources. In addition to telling your audience about the sources of your supporting information (statistics, facts, anecdotes, etc.) as you deliver the speech, you should also properly cite those sources on a list of references attached to your outline.

There are two predominant formats for citing sources: APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association).

For this class, use the format that is standard in communication studies: APA.

A web search for “APA citations” will reveal multiple sources of online help.

What should APA citations look like?Cut and paste the following citations to get the correct formatting:

Lynch, T. (1996). DS9 trials and tribble-ations review. Retrieved October 8, 1997, from Psi Phi: Bradley's Science Fiction Club Web site: http://www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/503r.html

Sturgeon, T. (1995). Science fiction. In The encyclopedia Americana (Vol. 24, pp. 390-392). Danbury, CT: Grolier.

Young, K., & Travis, H. (2008). Oral Communication - Skills, Choices, and Consequences (2nd edition). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.

You will notice several things about these citations: 1) they are alphabetized; 2) they are single-spaced with a double-space between citations (instructor’s preference); 3) they utilize a “hanging indent” to help create visual separation; 4) publication titles are italicized; 5) web sources include a “retrieved” date. Cut and paste for formatting and you will be on the right track. Consult the online resource provided above for more details on citing specific types of sources.