True assault weapons

I would like to reply to the recent letter from Miles Gray of Belfast, “Tax assault weapons.”

First, I would like to clarify what an assault weapon is. Is my semiautomatic rifle with a five-shot magazine considered an assault weapon or my favorite hunting rifle for the last 40 years? True assault weapons are mortars, artillery guns and fully automatic guns. Semi-automatic rifles, regardless of their looks, are not assault weapons. If hunters and shooters choose to hunt or target-shoot with them it is no different than choosing to hunt or target practice with a single-shot rifle.

I am a lifelong Republican who truly supports gun ownership.

Last, if Mr. Gray doesn’t know, guns of all shapes and sizes and the ammunition we shoot already are taxed.

Merle Cousins

Southwest Harbor