Assault-Style Rifles and Self-Defense

You keep your distance with a system of touch
And gentle persuasion
--Tears for Fears

The wrath of gun control advocates commonly focuses on AR-15 or 'assault-style' rifles. These people often express their concerns in some variation of the following question. Why on earth would everyday citizens need such weapons to defend themselves?

If they genuinely want to answer that question, then anti-gun enthusiasts should first obtain basic understanding of the functionality of various weapons available for self defense purposes. They are then in a better position to assess potential self-defense situations where an AR-15 or similar weapon may be preferable. This is what prospective gun owners do, after all.

Let's summarize some of the characteristics of AR-15 weapons that make them unique to other options.

• Loading mechanism. Semi-automatic. One round fires with each trigger pull. When a round is fired, loading mechanism puts new bullet in chamber for next trigger pull.
• Selective fire capability to fully automatic mode. None. Switching to fully automatic ('machine gun') mode, where rounds are continuously discharged upon single trigger pull, is not available to everyday citizens. However, selective fire to automatic mode is standard issue to military and law enforcement personnel. 
• Capacity: Standard magazine capacity 30 rounds, although regulations in some states reduce this capacity.
• Range: Flexible. Better in longer ranges but can be manipulated in closer quarters with effectiveness.
• Accuracy: Very good. Low recoil, light rifle that is easy to aim.

What, then, are possible self-defense situations that match well with the AR-15's features?  If you're lost for answers, then you might research situations where these weapons have actually been used by people to defend themselves. Include in your research situations where people have defended themselves against hostile regimes.

You might also reframe the question in the context of people who are issued these weapons on a routine basis. Why are 'assault-style' rifles preferred by military and law enforcement personnel? Would these personnel be willing to surrender these weapons as part of a general 'assault-style' weapons ban? If not, why not?

If you seek truth, then answers should begin to crystallize. Discussion forthcoming.