[Apeman81]

Quote by: Robert Marsh II The Ruger Mini-14 is called an assault rifle by Law Enforcement at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and is described as an assault weapon (rifle). Johnson City, Washington County authorities 'prepared to meet a threat of force'

Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Folding stock
Conspicuous pistol grip
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
Grenade launcher (more precisely, a muzzle device which enables the launching or firing of rifle grenades)

The over the counter mini 14 does not have two or more of the following as listed above.

The article you sight misuses the term. Proof of my assertion that stupid titles only serve to inflame the uninformed.