A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that, when the trigger is pulled, fires a bullet and loads another cartridge from a magazine, without the need to operate a bolt or other loading mechanism. It is distinguished from an assault rifle in that it can only fire once each time the trigger is pulled.
Some semi-automatic rifles are commonly believed to be easily converted to full automatic fire. Such perceived (but generally false, as well as highly illegal) easy conversions have attracted the attention of gun-control advocates, as nominally semi-automatic rifles are much more freely available than fully-automatic ones in many jurisdictions.
Types of Semi-automatic rifles, by country and/or designer:
Commercial Semi-automatic rifles:
Military Semi-automatic rifles (and commercial derivatives):
See also