Automatic firearm

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Automatic firearms are firearms that are partially or completely automatically ready to fire again after a shot has been fired. A distinction is made between semi - automatic machines ( self-loading machines) and fully automatic machines. Automatic is often used in the sense of fully automatic .

The categorization is based on a loaded and tense system. It is not considered how the first cartridge got into the chamber, nor how the gun was cocked. Because even with most fully automatic weapons, these first steps are carried out manually. Exceptions are mainly machine guns , one of which possess some electrical load-through facility.

Semi-automatic firearm

There are different definitions of semi-automatic firearms.

Semi-automatic handguns or self-loaders are ready to fire again after they have been fired.

Semi-automatic guns are usually single- shot weapons that eject the case after being fired and are ready for loading again.

Automatic firearm

With regard to the locking position before the shot, a distinction is made between firing weapons (mostly self-loading) and firing weapons .

Self loader

Self-loading rifles are multi-loading weapons in which only one shot is fired when the trigger is pressed once ( single fire ) and which then automatically become ready to fire again. In principle, every self-loader can be designed as a fully automatic machine; An interrupter is built into the self-loading, which separates the triggering of the ignition from the automatic sequence.

A distinction is made between self-loading pistols , self-loading rifles , self-loading shotguns and self-loading revolvers .

Ordinary double-action revolvers are not considered to be self-loading because the barrel is rotated further by the shooter pulling the trigger or cocking the hammer in order to bring a new cartridge in front of the barrel and the firing pin and make the weapon ready to fire.

With the bump stick , the function of a fully automatic firearm is simulated in a self-loading gun.

Fully automatic firearm

Also called machine guns , serial firearms or fully automatic weapons . These are firearms that fire shots or continuous fire as long as the trigger is pulled or as long as another firing device causes this and ammunition is in the magazine. Often these weapons can also be switched to self-loading or bursts of fire.

A distinction row fire pistol , submachine gun , machine gun , assault rifle , machine carbines and machine gun .

drive

The function of the automatic firearm can in principle take place through its own energy, generated from the firing of the ammunition, or through external energy supplied to the system from outside.

When it comes to self-propulsion, a distinction is made between gas pressure and recoil chargers or a combination of gas pressure and recoil chargers. In principle, different variants are conceivable for the combined drives. In practice, the following have prevailed:

  • Unlocking and opening by recoil, supporting drive by gas pressure (e.g. MG3 )
  • Unlocking by gas pressure, driven by recoil (e.g. Rh 202 ).

With external drives, electrical , hydraulic or pneumatic energy comes from outside.

Sporting and toy weapons

Sports and toy weapons such as air rifles , air pistols , paintball markers , dartblasters and airsoft weapons do not have cartridge ammunition with propellants, but special projectiles, foam darts , plastic or paint balls. They can be driven as multi-chargers with compressed gas or electro-pneumatically. The distinction between semi-automatic and fully automatic is also made here.

Legal

Germany

  • The German Weapons Act defines fully automatic firearms as those in which several successive shots are fired from the same barrel by pressing the trigger once . It should be noted that this law is restricted to the civilian sector and that multi-barrel machine weapons are dealt with in the War Weapons Control Act under the point of war firearms. The permission to privately own fully automatic firearms requires a special BKA permit, which is only granted in rare exceptional cases. In this respect, the definition in the Weapons Act rather serves to distinguish it from other terms.
  • According to the German Weapons Act, fully automatic firearms also include firearms that can be converted into fully automatic firearms with commonly used tools. Fully automatic machines also include fully automatic machines that have been converted into semi-automatic machines, which can be easily converted back into fully automatic machines.

In Germany, private individuals are prohibited from owning fully automatic weapons. They are considered weapons of war . Possession or trade in weapons of war is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, fully automatic firearms, according to Article 5 of the Weapons Act, fall under the term series firearms , the acquisition and possession of which is prohibited. This also applies to those that have been changed to semi-automatic weapons. In addition, the law prohibits shooting with serial firearms. The cantonal authorities can grant exceptional permits in justified individual cases (e.g. for collectors). These permits contain regulations that are regularly checked by the authorities. So are u. a. Keep the bolt and weapon "separated and protected from access by third parties".

Swiss ordinance series firearms that have been modified to semi-automatic firearms are not considered to be weapons within the meaning of Article 5 paragraph 1 letter a of the Weapons Act (SR 514.54).

The soldier's personal assault rifle (a serial firearm), which the soldier keeps at home during his active time, is not subject to the Weapons Act. During this time, military law and regulations apply. If the soldier is given ownership of a series firearm that has been modified to a semi-automatic weapon after completing his service, Article 5 paragraph 1 letter a of the Weapons Act (SR 514.54) applies.

Canada

On May 1, 2020, the Canadian government banned the possession of semi-automatic firearms resembling military weapons by private individuals. There is a transition period of 2 years for the owners of such weapons, during which they must hand in the weapons. A compensation scheme is planned. Fully automatic firearms in private hands were not allowed before.

literature

  • Rolf Wirtgen : History and technology of automatic weapons in Germany . Vol. 1: From the beginnings to 1871 (= military technology and scientific weaponry , Vol. 1). Mittler, Herford u. a. 1987, ISBN 3-8132-0262-3 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Wolfgang Pietzner: Waffenlehre , University of the Federal Government for Public Administration , 1998, ISBN 3-930732-32-7 pp. 17-22 (PDF)
  2. ↑ Karl Sellier, Beat P. Kneubuehl : Wundballistik: und their ballistic basics , Edition 2, Springer-Verlag , 2013, ISBN 9783662109786 , p. 114 [1]
  3. ^ Rudolf Sieverts , Hans Joachim Schneider : Concise Dictionary of Criminology: Kriminalpolitik - Intoxicant abuse Verlag Walter de Gruyter , 1977, ISBN 9783110900330 p. 168 [2]
  4. ↑ F. Flanhardt, K. Harbrecht: Chapter Classification of automatic firearms in: Waffentechnisches Taschenbuch. 3rd edition, Rheinmetall , Düsseldorf 1977. pp. 243–245 [3]
  5. ↑ Jaroslav Lugs: Small arms . Volume I. 6th edition, Military Publishing House of the GDR , 1979, p. 302
  6. ↑ Wolfgang Pietzner: Waffenlehre , University of the Federal Government for Public Administration , 1998, ISBN 3-930732-32-7 pp. 63, 76 (PDF)
  7. ^ Annex to the War Weapons Control Act
  8. ↑ Appendix 1 to the Weapons Act
  9. ↑ Rachel Aiello: More than 1K models of assault-style weapons now prohibited in Canada: PM Trudeau. In: ctvnews.ca. May 1, 2020, accessed on May 4, 2020 .