I really do think you are confused about the history of these terms.
Assault rifle is the older term. It was simply a technical term for the common type of military weapon that developed during and after WWII.
“Assault weapon” in the sense it is (mis)used today probably goes back no farther than the mid-80s.
I hope you can accept a wiki reference without having a fit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_weapon#History_of_terminology
I won’t have a fit :-). It was a technical term but like so many other word has been twisted by the left - gay, liberal, pro-choice, progressive, and the lit goes on, and on.
The clerk at the Bass Pro Shop today tried to sell me an “assault” type shotgun. I had to correct him on the spot. I was looking for a pump shotgun that my wife could handle in a pinch because my “assault” Saiga turned out to be a bit much for her t handle. The sales clerk was referring to a semi shotgun.
Anyway, thank you for the stimulating discussion.