Semi-Automatic

The term semi-automatic refers to a firearm operating method where a projectile is fired and reloaded from a magazine into the chamber with each pull of the trigger. There are both semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic handguns and they are the most popular types of firearms in America today. It is important to note the distinction between semi-automatic firearms and automatic or “select fire” firearms—automatic firearms can fire, load and fire again continuously with a single pull of the trigger and will only stop firing when the magazine has been expended or the trigger is released.