Armed guard members will carry the type of weapon they are normally issued and trained on, typically M17 handguns and M4 semiautomatic rifles, similar to assault-style rifles, the Defense Department officials said. Some guard members will carry M9 pistols.
The military weapons are similar to those used by local police departments across the United States. The M4 is a standard semiautomatic rifle and has roughly the same capabilities as semiautomatic rifles used by law enforcement agencies.
Completely incorrect. NBC is clearly trying to downplay the seriousness of this. M4 rifles are not assault “style”. They are assault rifles, fullstop. The M4, and other assault rifles, are not legal for civilian use. They have full automatic or burst fire capability, depending on the specific model.
The weapons these soldiers are carrying are not AR-15s. These are not “assault weapons”. These are weapons of war. They are not for civilian hunters or shooting competitions. They are for killing human beings.
“Powerful M4”
Just… Like, the M4 is a Carbine. Don’t tell me it’s not an AR-15. That’s like saying a Chrysler Neon is not a Dodge Neon. Most M4s don’t have full auto.
There is some nomenclature problem with the article and general public by in large. The M4 designation is specifically a military thing. And all the ones assigned in the military may shoot the same ammo we do as civilians, their M4s have three round burst and full auto. While not “more powerful” I would argue they are more deadly especially to dense crowds. You but something labeled an M4 as an American citizen, you can even get ones with full auto if you pay and wait. But regardless what they call them, if an Ar-15 style weapon is sold on the civilian market it is not an M4.