Yes, there is a reason for MANY Americans to have so-called “semi-automatic” weapons. Have you never fumbled with a bolt-action, and fumbled or even dropped the next round while inserting it?
Makes all the difference when facing an oncoming bear.
When you have no more ammunition, THEN you stop firing.
As I told my daughter, aim for center of mass and pull the trigger until it goes click. The least problem she would have is poop clean up.
'Reason'? Reason plays no part in this.
The purpose is to control who has guns, and who does not. The first step in a dictatorship is to ensure the ruling elite have the weapons and manpower to control the populace and stop any 'coups'. This is how they do it, all over the world. Because it works.
We are in the midst of it right now. I still say that they will publicly declare a Socialist Dictatorship of the Western Hemisphere on Dec. 21, 2012. The 'end of our world' , as they say.