Pistol grips on long guns, and rifle crime in general.

[We_Have_A_Problem]

111. Except that....

you didn't back it up.

First off, that's wiki. Not exactly an accurate source on its best day.

Lets take the points one-by-one, shall we?

1) compact design

An AK or M16 is slightly smaller than say an M1 Garand, but not exactly pocket sized. It's like saying "compact truck" - you're still talking pretty big. AK and AR pattern rifles still run 3 to 4 feet long and 7-9lbs when loaded depending upon specifics. For comparison, an M1 Garand is 43" long (that's right at 3.5 feet) and weighs about 11lbs loaded. The weight is the only real difference.

Benefit to lethality? None. Arguably the size would make an M1 more lethal as it could be a more effective club.

2) Use for close in attack

All combat in which a rifle is used is "close in" and they are used both for attack and defense. In truth, this statement is nothing but editorial bullshit, but even assuming it is meant sincerely it really means nothing. "Assault weapons" were designed to be as effective at short range as a larger caliber is at much longer ranges. What this means is, the larger caliber is a LOT more lethal at close ranges.

Benefit to lethality? None. It is well known that at 200 yards an AK or AR is effective enough to make you stop and think twice about continuing, but a .30-06 or .308 is going to truly fuck you up - making it impossible for you to continue.

3) Generally high rate of fire

Purely untrue. Semi-auto is semi-auto. One round per trigger pull.

Benefit to lethality? None, and the statement is a lie.

4) Ability to use high capacity magazines

This is something that I almost - ALMOST - have to give you. I say "almost" because I can understand why you might believe the larger capacity magazine might be there to increase lethality potential. It is, but not in the way you think. The larger capacity magazine is a trade off for having a lower power cartridge. Since a .223 or 7.62x39 may not actually stop the target the first time, the ability to have a few more rounds to stop the target is a good thing. In essence, the increased capacity is there to make up for the reduced lethality.

Benefit to lethality? Draw really as the added capacity is making up for the reduced ability.

5) purposed military combat application

WTF is that pile of crap? As pointed out, virtually every modern firearm at one time had a "purposed military combat application". Regardless of that, not a single military in the world uses the semi-automatic versions. They use select fire variants which fire either full auto or bust as well as semi.

Benefit to lethality? Oh please - not even going to dignify that.

Simple fact ellisonz - they are not more lethal in any way than a traditional long rifle. You've not proved anything - you've merely thrown out some editorializing, a stupid picture and made a baseless claim.

I'll tell you this - I'd much rather be shot in the torso at 200 yards by an AK or an AR than by an M1. I'd have a damn good chance of surviving the first two. The latter? Nope - be DRT.