Do you say "firearm" or "gun?"

[Norrick]

I say gun between friends, as it rolls off the tongue easier. I say firearms when I'm talking to people I don't know. I feel like "gun" has a negative connotation where I live (CA).

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

Yes Sir it is a weapon. It's for real, that is my gun it's for fun Last time i heard that was at Fort Dix back in 1969

 

[Inebriated]

Also, I've found that Paper Puncher, Steel Slapper, or Bullet Launcher usually get laughs. I use them quite a bit.

 

[Geckgo]

I find myself saying "My XD", "My pocket pistol", "My 22", "deuce duece", "pellet gun", "20GA" or "12GA", "aught 6", etc. I call them by their respective pet names.

 

[camar]

I would use "gun" to emphasize that a pain ball "gun" could still hurt you. These nanny, wossey parents would have to get over it or take their future nanny, wossey kid home and let him rot himself on the computer.
These nanny, wossey people are really a non issure and we should treat them as such.

 

[Inebriated]

I would use "gun" to emphasize that a pain ball "gun" could still hurt you. These nanny, wossey parents would have to get over it or take their future nanny, wossey kid home and let him rot himself on the computer.
These nanny, wossey people are really a non issure and we should treat them as such.

Those wussy parents are the ones that killed paintball. Them and Dye...

 

[hso]

Firearm since there are a lot of tool type guns.

 

[ExTank]

I generally just use the term "gun" in everyday use, but in a debate with an anti-gunner or talking to a fence-sitter, I use the term "firearm" very deliberately.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Firearm, gun, weapon, I'll use any of them depending on context. When communicating context is important.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Pistol sounds like a wheel gun.

Actually, it's just the opposite. Pistol refers to a single shot or semi-automatic handgun. A "wheel gun" is technically a revolver, not a pistol.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Plus it always makes me think of, "This is my rifle, this is my gun..."

I'm watching that right now BTW "SIR it is the private's duty to inform the senior drill instructor that private Pyle has a full magazine, and is locked and loaded SIR."

I prefer, Piece, Gat or Heater

I was waiting for that.

Firearm, gun, weapon, I'll use any of them depending on context.

I tend to use "gun" informally. I use "firearm" and "weapon" when talking "officially", including training others how to shoot. And I agree with the guy who said he refers to them by their respective names. "the XD", "the 870" etc.

 

[exavid]

I'd just call 'em bangers but that would cause confusion with sausages.

 

[rg603]

just to clarfy

They're all Glocks or AK47, right?
Actually: Firearm~90%, Gun~ 10%, weapon ~ 0%

 

[toivo]

I call a shotgun or handgun a "gun," and I call a rifle a "rifle." I'm not sure why -- never thought about it, really. It just seems right.

I just took some NRA instructor certification classes where the trainer would fine you $1 every time you said "weapon." He had some law enforcement and former military in the class. He made a lot of money off those guys.

 

[Laf'n'Larry]

Like many vets, I was taught that a firearm was correctly called "weapon". But times and social conditions have changed. Now I try to avoid the term weapon. I still have trouble calling it a gun, but I will use firearm as a general term or pistol, revolver, rifle..., etc. In some cases I will use the caliber designation, like "the .22" or "the .38" or "the 12 gauge. Those terms don't seem to bother my anti-gun acquaintances as much as "weapon."

 

[303tom]

It all depends, in general they are firearms. The AR-15 is a rifle. The M-16 is a machine gun. A Rem. 870 is a shot gun. Just any old pistol is a hand gun. Just as in a battle any one of them would be a weapon, so I guess it all depends on what I have in my hand at the time !

 

[HDCamel]

I usually refer to them by type (i.e. rifle, shotgun, submachinegun, etc.), but in the plural sense it's about 70/30 between firearms and guns respectively. I only say "weapons" when I include my knives and such in the conversation (which is pretty rare).

 

[rodensouth]

It sucks that how we refer to them makes a difference.

 

[scythefwd]

depends on what I am talking about. All guns are firearms.. not all firearms are guns. Guns aren't rifled.

example.. shot guns.

firearms also include rifles and handguns. I sometimes call handguns guns, sometimes they get called pistols or revolvers.

 

[mortablunt]

I say firearm when dealing with non gun people. It sounds less threatening than I have gun.
I say gun when around gun people, or when I am not bothering with spin.

 

[BSA1]

Somehow shotfirearm just isn't as descriptive as shotgun.

 

[USAF_Vet]

We've got Gat, Piece, Burner, Heater but forgot Strap...

Typically, it's a gun.

I will refer to my guns by their make/ model or caliber.

Yes, it's a weapon, but I never refer to it as such, and certainly not a 'weapon system'

Although, I think I'm going to start refering to my Hi Point as my 'budget accomodating .45 caliber hand held weapon system.'

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

It depends on the situation. Despite having done the whole basic training gun vs. rifle thing and spending some time with artillery, I don't really find the need to be pedantic about it. If the word "gun" suffices and is commonly understood, then that's good enough to me. If the usage calls for something more specific, then I can use a more specific term.

I don't see much need in inflicting jargon on folks. The word gun is clearly understood and accepted to include handguns and rifles and has been for a long time. Languages evolve and definitions expand to include things outside the original scope.

 

[valnar]

Pocket rocket....no wait, that's not it.

 

[cambeul41]

"Defensive noise maker"