Opponents of the bans say people often mistakenly believe that assault weapons are fully automatic guns, which fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Rather, their mechanisms are semi-automatic, which means the trigger must be pulled to fire each shot.

Gun defenders argue that it’s inflammatory to refer to the firearms as “assault weapons” because they work the same way as a traditional rifle used to hunt deer or other big game.

Gun control advocates say the rifles in question are designed to kill people, with features such as pistol grips and barrel shrouds that better serve that purpose.

Assault weapons are not defined in Nebraska or Iowa law, so they fall under the category of “long guns” — rifles or shotguns that exceed a certain barrel length.

People 18 and older may legally purchase long guns in both states without a permit.

If the seller is a federally licensed dealer, the buyer must undergo an FBI background check before making the purchase. But if the seller is a private party, no background check is required — a provision that gun control advocates consider a loophole that’s often exploited at gun shows.