Ashton,

You have confused the issue further by interchanging terms.  In fact, even the Author (obviously, a pro-2nd Amendment enthusiast) made this mistake in the article).

The Author writes, "The federal "assault rifle" ban that targeted AR-15 type firearms, was implemented in 1994 and in effect for 10 years. It was not renewed in 2004, because there was no realistic difference in "assault" rifle crime rates from before the ban was enacted through the 10-year period it was in affect.

In truth, the AR-15, and any other similarly-functioning weapon is NOT an "assault rifle".  And, the legislation enacted in 1994 (HR 4296 - Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act) was not targeted for "assault rifles".  HR 4296 was enacted to "prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON (SAW) as defined or listed under this Act." (my emphasis in ALL CAPS).