It's still the exact same rifle (still only one bullet fires at a time when you pull the trigger) with a few after market add on parts that simply make it look different!
It's like adding an after market spoiler package to a car.
Are mind games beging played for nefarious purpose?
Of course they are! Plain and simple...disarmament is the aim and the goal!
Actually, a spoiler on a passenger car is just as much cosmetic as most of the "assault rifle" bling. A spoiler always adds drag. In a real race car there is usually enough horsepower to overcome this drag and take advantage of added down force to corner better. In a passenger car it only slows you down.