What Do You Call Yours?
My brother-in-law, now a little over 70, washed out of Air Force Officer Training School for medical reasons after just two weeks, but still fancies himself a fighter pilot or even a USMC DI. in general, he likes to adopt an R. Lee Ermey persona in public. A gun owner, he constantly and loudly refers to his firearms as "weapons." When he does, I watch the reactions of those nearby and more often than not detect a wince or a look of disapproval. That caused me to reflect on how we gun owners can hurt our own cause. Let me explain.
Consider these definitions from Websters.
Weapon - something (such as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy.
Gun - a portable firearm (such as a rifle or handgun).
Firearm - a mechanical devise from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder.
Of the three terms/definitions, which do you think comes across as the most aggressive or threatening, especially to anti-gun folks? I contend that the term "weapon" is a trigger for most snowflakes. So, rather than poke the anti-gunners or even the casual bystander, and draw a negative reaction that doubles down on their propensity to vote for anti-gun measures, why not just use a different term.
In general, I refer to the implements in my safe as firearms. If dealing with one in particular, I call it what it is—rifle, pistol, shotgun, or revolver. Around gun aficionados I often refer to a particular one by a pet name, like "Hey, check out this sweet Winchester." I intentionally avoid the term "weapon," although as a concealed carry advocate I'll use my pistol as a weapon if forced to.
Some may argue with this approach and say, "screw the snowflakes." However, I've learned not to poke the bear unnecessarily. While I'm a staunch Second Amendment advocate, when it comes to provoking opponents, I believe discretion is the better part of valor. As the great Rush Limbaugh was fond of saying, "Words mean things."
So, just wondering, what do you call yours? Weapons? Firearms? Gas pipes? What say you? Should we even care and does it even matter?
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cbxjeff: 29743976328091/comments/-1
elubsme, the first time I heard that was from my drill sgt. Ft, Knox 1963.
Yep! 1964 for me.
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US Military Guy: 29743976328091/comments/29743983316379
My weapons use clips . . . and my guns use magazines.
I do have some rifles that use neither clips or magazines.
I also have some revolvers that don't use clips or magazines.
All of my pistols use magazines.
I am not that much into shotguns, but none of my shotguns use clips . . . although some have magazines.
Yes, I do have some rifles that use clips to load their magazines.
None of my pistols use clips to load their magazines.
One of mine does.
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I've called them firearms for many years. Depending on the person that says it, guns can have many meanings. I only call them weapons when used offensively and even then, only against people.
For knowledgeable firearm folk, I refer to make, model, caliber, or some variation of all of the above.
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I seem to recall a old war movie from many years ago the instructor pointing out "you have a rifle" the big stuff like on a battle ship or artillery are called guns?
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