It's firearm......

[TRguy]

It's firearm in civilian conversation not weapon.

* Main Entry: 1weap·on
* Pronunciation: \ˈwe-pən\
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Middle English wepen, from Old English wǣpen; akin to Old High German wāffan weapon, Old Norse vāpn
* Date: before 12th century

1 : something (as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy
2 : a means of contending against another

The MSM uses the term weapon to demonize and make it sound ominous. We should describe it in proper terms. People come into my office (I typically open carry in my office) they say,"Why are you carrying a weapon?". To which I reply in some form of a question, "To which weapon are you referencing? My Pen, knife, firearm, shoe, .....?"

When I am paper punching, it isn't a weapon it is pistol, rifle, revolver, firearm,.....

When I am instructing it is a pistol, revolver, firearm,.....

Why the need to use the term weapon so much in general civilian conversation?

(Now are you military folks thinking of flaming me, if in the context of military training or duty, of course it is a weapon. See the above definition)

 

[CoRoMo]

I like referring to it as my weapon... because it is.

 

[TRguy]

if you are in the context of a self defense situation and use it of course it's a weapon. (But so is a pencil, pen knife, feet, hand, in that situation.....a weapon is what you have at hand to defend yourself.)


if you are in self defense situation and only have your hands and your gouge the eyeballs out of your attacker or shove your fist down their open mouth to dislocate their jaw...your hand is a weapon.

Referring to something in its correct name in the context of setting and conversation isn't PC and knowing proper use of words. (ie calling a shotgun a weapon in the middle of a dove field....roll eyes)

 

[DHJenkins]

Exactly what do you use your gun for that it should not be referred to as a weapon?

Is it a hole puncher?

Is it a paperweight?

Is it a hammer?

If you do use it (properly), it will be to injure, defeat, or destroy - therefore it is a weapon, because that is it's purpose - or do you carry it in your office as some sort of macho jewelry, and not for SD purposes?

 

[3pairs12]

I just call them guns. Some of my guns are shotguns some are rifles and some are pistols. Thats it.

 

[rocky branch]

Only a weapon in terms of offensive or defensive use.

Other than that, rifle, shotgun, pistol, red ryder, whatever.
A carry piece would be considered a weapon for GP.

Guns have wheels.

Wannabees get hung up over "weapon" speak.

 

[TRguy]

when it is in my cross breed super tuck it is pistol, but i carry a variety of weapons with me at any time. I have a pistol, a knife, hands, feet, a pen, etc....

when im punching paper it is a Rifle, or a pistol, or a gun, or a revolver.

I don't use my firearms as paperweights, but If I so choose I suppose i would call it.....a revolver or I could say it's my 686, no wait...a firearm....maybe I will call it a Sig, or a Glock, heck maybe just maybe I will say.......Pistol....so many choices....but when it is sitting on a stack of processed dead trees it isn't a weapon.

 

[DHJenkins]

That's like saying a vehicle is "a collection of assembled automotive parts" if it's not being driven.

This is a silly thread.

 

[TRguy]

No a collection of assembled automotive parts is a vehicle, maybe a car, or even a truck, shoot some may even say it is a weapon if you use it to injure, defeat, or destroy when contending against another.

"Silly" would be in the eye of the reader.

 

[Werewolf]

Regarding RKBA there is a propaganda war going on between us and the Antis...

Allow them to control the lingo and they win.

The OP makes an excellent point. Weapon has a threatening connotation that firearm does not. When dealing with antis using the term firearm would be much less threatening than weapon or even gun.

Don't let the antis control the language of the debate.

 

[Dimis]

the gun is the tool i am the weapon...

i too prefer the term firearm for a few reasons first its not as off putting as saying weapon and secondly when you discuss guns with someone that has little to no experience with guns you come off as more knowledgable and serious about your hobby/pofession/sport/etc... by useing a more intelligent wording in your description showing the new guys that its something to be taken seriously
and anything that has the potential to mame or kill should be taken VERY seriously
when i got my liscense to drive my mother and father sat me down and told me in a very stern but respectful way that a vehicle is a dangerous piece of equipment and could kill someone if not used properly same goes for firearms and powertools

if we could get past the fact that firearms are not JUST weapons but more to the fact a tool we could have alot less issues with antis

 

[DHJenkins]

Anti's don't care what it's called; they're against an idea, not nomenclature.

And calling a firearm a "tool" will just backfire - the argument being "a tool for what, killing?".

 

[edSky]

I agree. When I am target shooting, my pistol is a pistol. When I am disassembling, cleaning, or reassembling it, my pistol is a pistol.

I have yet to use one of my pistols as a weapon, and hope I never have to. If that day comes, I'm sure they will do the job well. As I sit here and type, none of my firearms are weapons.

 

[Joistman]

Werewolf,

Our CWP instructors brought up this very point (in July). They said it was now politically incorrect to refer to your handgun as a "weapon" because it sounds "too" threatening. We should use the term "firearm".

 

[TRguy]

Joistman, I am thinking not so much politically incorrect as in more that it is Gun Owners using proper terminology.

If we as Gun Owners know the proper words and have appropriate knowledge you always control the debate. Antis don't know the terms and you call them out on their shortcomings of firearms and they are exposed for the simplistic buffoons most of them are.

 

[DHJenkins]

Well, my firearms are weapons, but then again I don't live in a super PC state.

I guess you have to call it what you need to based on where you live.

There aren't many anti's around here (I don't know any), so it just doesn't come up.

 

[cchris]

A pen can be used as a weapon to stab someone. But when I'm signing a check at a bank, I don't say "Hey, can I borrow your weapon?"

 

[HardShell]

... The MSM uses the term weapon to demonize and make it sound ominous. We should describe it in proper terms...

You can allow the MSM to dictate your choice of words if you want to -- that's your business and no concern of mine.

I, however, shall not.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

A firearm is a kind of weapon.

 

[TRguy]

Hardshell you miss the extact point in that I WILL NOT allow the MSM to dictate the course of conversation and terms by employing the appropriate term in context of the current discussion I may be having at any given time. As a gun owner, failing to use proper terminology and constantly using WEAPON in everyday discussions of your firearms indicates to the listener (Who may or most likely not an informed firearms owner) indicates you ultimately think of it in terms of destruction.

Liberals and antis are defeated through appropriate discourse and knowledge. Nothing like facts to get in the way of Liberal BS. Telling them about your biggest baddest weapon doesn't go far and the average person in america rolls their eyes at that person.

 

[DHJenkins]

Liberals and antis are defeated through appropriate discourse and knowledge. Nothing like facts to get in the way of Liberal BS.

Since when? FBI gun-related crime stats have been out. CDC studies on gun-related crime and the effect of gun laws have been out.

Facts don't trump emotion, which is the underlying cause of most anti-gun arguments and sentiments. Just take a look at religion if you don't believe me. Anti-gunners have a belief system, not just an opinion.

Like I said in another thread, I'm not going to lower myself to their level and give up my 1st amendment rights to protect my second.

 

[CoRoMo]

Telling them about your biggest baddest weapon doesn't go far and the average person in america rolls their eyes at that person.

Telling them about your biggest baddest [strike]weapon[/strike] firearm, also doesn't go far and the average person in america rolls their eyes at that person.

So how could the choice of words matter in this case?

 

[TRguy]

I not gonna try to sway any liberal antis, its a pure waste of time. The proper terminology comes in explaining and educating the NON-gunowner of middle america without a prior bias other than just the unknown of guns.

So DH you are welcome to continue to use the term, it's your choice. But being so steadfast in you adherence to the term "weapon" makes you different from the antis in their steadfast arguments in what way.....?

 

[TRguy]

The terms "biggest baddest" are added for emphasis to accentuate the absurd and my point. You wouldn't explain or discuss "firearm terminology" in a civil educated discussion using those adjectives.

However the difference between WEAPON and any other proper firearm terms used in context is great. Weapon even has it place in proper context. Not in every discussion relating to firearms.

 

[DHJenkins]

The proper terminology comes in explaining and educating the NON-gunowner of middle america without a prior bias other than just the unknown of guns.

Just like explaining to the average car owner that the oxygen sensor is actually a 'lack of oxygen' sensor, and different from a lambda sensor or a wide-band O2 sensor...Semantics mean nothing to those who aren't familiar with proper terms in the first place.

So DH you are welcome to continue to use the term, it's your choice. But being so steadfast in you adherence to the term "weapon" makes you different from the antis in their steadfast arguments in what way.....?

In the most obvious way possible - I support the 2nd amendment. The anti's aren't "anti-word", they are "anti-ability-to-protect-yourself". They don't want us to have guns, no matter what we call them.

Don't get me wrong, I understand where your coming from, but there will be no tangible victory or shifting of beliefs to come out of it. If you want to change an anti or fence-sitters opinion, take them to the range. That will do far more than "correct terminology" ever will.

Even if we all did what you suggest, the MSM would still call them by whatever terror-inducing name they see fit to get ratings.