Mall Shooting

OK, CNN has posted a few pictures from the security cameras and this nut is using an AK-47 look alike rifle. I am sure since there is no report of any automatic gunfire that it is a civilian version, much less powerful than the average hunting rifle and not an "Assault Weapon" by definition. . . (sorry CNN, but I know you will call it an assault weapon anyway, don't let the facts get in the way)

In short here is what Wikipidia has for a definition:
In a strict definition, a firearm must have all of the following five characteristics to qualify as an assault rifle:^[1][2][3]

• Is a carbine sized individual weapon with provision to be fired from a shouldered position.

Barrel length is usually 400 mm to 500 mm (16” to 20”)

• Is capable of selective fire.
• Fires from a locked breech.
• Utilizes an intermediate powered-cartridge.
• Ammunition is supplied from a large capacity detachable box magazine.

Most common is a capacity of 30 rounds, sometimes 20 rounds.

The following features are commonly found on assault rifles, but those are not exclusive to assault rifles, as those features are shared with many submachine guns, battle rifles, automatic rifles and machine guns:

• Protruding pistol grip.
• Folding, retractable or otherwise collapsible shoulder stock.
• Bipod
• Muzzle device like a muzzle brake or a flash suppressor.

There are commentators who use the expression “assault rifle” more loosely to include other types of arms, particularly arms that fall under a strict definition of the battle rifle, or civilian semi-automatic off-shoots of military rifles for commercial or political reasons.