The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Need to stop using the word weapon. What's more appropriate?

breakingcontact · November 27, 2012, 12:05 AM

I see the YouTube celebrities referring to every firearm as a weapon and it makes me cringe.

Now, if you're a wingshooter or something, don't come after me, I know you don't call your fancy shotgun a "weapon".

We need to control the language to put out a better public image.

What should we always call firearms? Call them just that "firearms", guns? Call it what it is, rifle/pistol/shotgun?

I like "defensive firearm". Think of it as the opposite of "assault rifle". The media pounded on the term assault rifle and altered the meaning and perception. They controlled the language.

Imagine if we always described a weapon...er...a firearm...in a language "positive" way. If we tie the word defense to the word gun or firearm, that would be golden.

November 27, 2012, 12:05 AM	#1
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Need to stop using the word weapon. What's more appropriate? I see the YouTube celebrities referring to every firearm as a weapon and it makes me cringe. Now, if you're a wingshooter or something, don't come after me, I know you don't call your fancy shotgun a "weapon". We need to control the language to put out a better public image. What should we always call firearms? Call them just that "firearms", guns? Call it what it is, rifle/pistol/shotgun? I like "defensive firearm". Think of it as the opposite of "assault rifle". The media pounded on the term assault rifle and altered the meaning and perception. They controlled the language. Imagine if we always described a weapon...er...a firearm...in a language "positive" way. If we tie the word defense to the word gun or firearm, that would be golden.