>Unlike military counterparts like automatic M-16’s, rifles like those from Bushmaster don’t spray bullets with one trigger pull. But, with gas-powered mechanisms, semiautomatics can fire rapid follow-up shots as fast as the trigger can be squeezed. They are often called “black guns” because of their color. The police tied a Bushmaster XM15 rifle to shootings in the Washington sniper case in 2002.

Has nothing to do with the article, but they just can't resist.

It's the NY Times. Actually the opposition of the "smart" people like NY Times, leftists in general, etc. to firearms makes it an even better investment opportunity; less competition.