That's simply factually false. Ignoring the fact that automatic weapons are already restricted and are super-expensive and that handgun crime FAR outstrips "long" gun (shotgun/rifle) crime....Sem-automatics have legitimate functions regardless of if you approve of that or not. AR-15 style rifles *are* used by many hunters. They're lighter, weather resistant, easier to clean, better for customization, replacement parts are cheaper (and standardized in many cases), and serve more than one purpose. Hunting, recreational shooting, competition, and yes....home defense. Its a multi-purpose, all weather, terrain variable, firearm.
But we should ignore its legitimate use when a criminal abuses it? I'm not willing to trade my rights away for the illusion of security. And make no mistake, that's what it is. Because NOTHING in a semi-auto ban would have stopped what happened in CT. Dude had a pistol and a shotgun as well. He wouldn't have turned back and went home. He would have used the shotgun and pistol. And then I'm supposed to vilify the shotgun and pistol instead of the murderer misusing it? Gun control? I want maniac control. As well as reasonable legislation. Banning a firearm isn't legal. It's feel-good nonsense that accomplishes nothing. And when it doesn't work and another shooting happens we'll want even more laws because we didn't even begin to deal with the real reasons for this type of psychotic violence.