Newsflash to journalists everywhere. There are no assault rifles available to buy unless you have a minimum of $6000 to purchase one. Then there’s the registration process which I’m sure is onerous in California. 😖
An "assault rifle" is whatever rifle one has for the "assault." If one lacks a rifle, an "assault" handgun. Or an "assault" knife. Or ......
Journalists, like politicians, are stupid and lazy.