The only purpose of assault weapons is to kill people. These weapons should be restricted to official U.S. military or law enforcement use. GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE but PEOPLE WITH GUNS DO KILL PEOPLE.
If these weapons are not readily available, they cannot be purchased, stolen, or borrowed to create a massacre of innocent people. The greater the number of these weapons owned by private citizens, the easier they are obtained by the criminal or terrorist.
England and other countries have already banned these weapons and this is reflected in their exponentially lower death rates due to gunfire.
If we allow assault weapons, should we not also allow nuclear rocket launchers? What about hand grenades, flame throwers, and bazookas? Are these also covered by our second amendment rights?