Lever action and pump action have been around a while.
Semi autos are not that much faster.
Lever actions are not “black”, at least were not when immortalized in westerns.
But you should look at how they were ‘customized’ by indians (yup).
Brass tacks, carvings, feathers, ... really scary and turned them into ‘assualt rifles’.
A good rifleman on a lever action can lay down some dang effective fire. Levers are also very reliable.
That said, people should be able to get whatever they fancy. I have levers, I have semi-auto, I like to mix it up sometimes when I’m out shooting.
On a side note, I was pumping out surplus .308 in my robinson arms this morning and it was actually performing quite well. I can consistently hit little 4 inch clay discs at 200 yards with that ammo.
For carefully aimed shots. But maybe you've never seen a 11-man rifle squad lay down a base of fire with M1 smoking-hot Garands for another squad to maneuver into position to cover the shooters. It's pure hell to be on the other end, man.