An AR-15 is a good all purpose weapon. Great for intruders but also excellent for shooting racoons or opossums that are killing your chickens. Or coyotes that are chasing your cows. They are also good for use in a well regulated militia, being necessary to maintain a free state and all.
You know what the difference is between an AR15 and your typical .30-06 hunting rifle? Beside the fact that the 30-06 will do more damage, it is usually brown wood instead of black. That is why people are scared of the AR15, it's black. You can throw a big clip on any semi-automatic hunting rifle and it will be just as deadly.
Plenty of semi-automatic hunting rifles have a small magazine with a plate that closes over it and won't accept a larger magazine without modifications.
You're right that "semi-automatic" deserves more focus than "black".
I do wonder how likely it is that the "typical" hunting rifle is actually bolt action though.
You know what the difference is between an AR15 and your typical .30-06 hunting rifle? Beside the fact that the 30-06 will do more damage, it is usually brown wood instead of black. That is why people are scared of the AR15, it's black. You can throw a big clip on any semi-automatic hunting rifle and it will be just as deadly.