Ban assault rifles

I saw in the NY Times today where a well known hunter and outdoor writer basically had his career killed, "shot down" one might say, by the NRA because he dared to write in his blog that assault rifles should be banned.
His name is Jim Zumbo.
In the land of the free and the home of the brave, I guess the NRA believes you are free to speak as long as you march in lock step with the NRA and if you are brave enough to disagree with them you had best be prepared to have your career ruined.
I must confess I used to belong to the NRA back in the 70's, belonged until they became a right wing political organization who never saw a gun they didn't love and campaigned for capital (or is it capitol?) punishment. I also admit to owning one rifle.
Having said that, let me say the following.
When the so-called assault rifles started being sold to the public, I thought they were geeky and nerdy.
I, like Zumbo, just never liked the looks of them and have always liked the traditional rifles, shot guns and pistols.
For those of you who don't know what exactly is a legally sold assault rifle, it is a knock-off in appearance of a military rifle. I say it looks like a military rifle but it does not have the full firepower abilities of an AK-47 or whatever other military rifle. It is not fully automatic.
But here is the problem. While all guns are dangerous (even BB guns), a knock-off is not only dangerous but it can be intimidating in appearance. This is why Zumbo thinks they should be banned.
I will add another reason. Those who buy them buy them because they look dangerous. It's a macho thing for little boys. They probably never used a real assault rifle but they like to pretend. And dare I say for these overgrow children, the assault rifle compensates for what they don't have in their underpants.