The "W" word and it's connotations.

[Keith B]

They are guns; water GUN, BB GUN, pellet GUN.....

Weapons can be anyting you use to attack with (slingshot, vase, stick, your hands). Your gun IS a weapon if used as such, but it is still a gun.

[G26ster]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... n+#p770626

Bitterclinger wrote:
No mam, a gun is a breach loaded artillery piece used to deploy an explosive filled shell larger than thirty millimeters in diameter at high velocities over long distances. Guys who carry guns usually use a ship, a tank, or at least a great big truck.

Gee, I didn't know I could conceal carry one of those. The State of Texas issued me a license to do so.

In reality, whether we like it or not, there has always been political correctness in sensitive areas. That's why there are no Air Force bases on foreign soil. Frankly, the antis seem to react angrier to the word "guns" than they do to rifles, pistols, or even firearms. Remember, it's "gun violence" they are against, not "weapon violence." MHO

[dawgfishboy]

Sorry, I can't be politically correct to appease the pansiness of the general public.

wholeheartedly.

+2
I get enough of that sensitivity training at my day job.

[Moby]

I don't teach NRA classes and use both the term Weaapon and firearm.

I disagree about the comparison of a weapon hammer, weapon screwdriver etc.

Political correctness is the big problem in this country. Lets see that screw driiver go 600 yards at 2700 fps.

It IS a weapon. It was made for shooting things. Sometimes paper, sometiimes deer, sometimes people.
But in the end what you shoot at is usually destroyed.

[jmra]

I'll just say whatever comes to mind at the time. If someone doesn't like it, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

People who are going to be offended by the word weapon already have their mind made up. Nothing you say is going to change it.

[The Annoyed Man]

I use the words "gun" and "weapon" interchangeably, although how and when will depend on the subject matter.

[RX8er]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... n+#p770626

Bitterclinger wrote:
No mam, a gun is a breach loaded artillery piece used to deploy an explosive filled shell larger than thirty millimeters in diameter at high velocities over long distances. Guys who carry guns usually use a ship, a tank, or at least a great big truck.

Not according to my drill sergeant back in the early 90's and looking at the various dictionaries.....


And, on another note, why should I change my language because it may offend someone. If a term is correct, why is not PC to use it? This has happened with many everyday words we use that somehow are being changed because they offend....

[Abraham]

...and no one says "died" any longer, now it's he/she passed...

I'm sorry, but "died' is a perfectly legitimate word, though, yes, I understand the need for euphemisms...sigh.

I may be dead relatively soon (gad, I hope not, but I'm somewhat advanced...) and if my death is referred to as "he passed on" I'll come back and haunt he euphemizer...

[BigGuy]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... n+#p770626

Bitterclinger wrote:
No mam, a gun is a breach loaded artillery piece used to deploy an explosive filled shell larger than thirty millimeters in diameter at high velocities over long distances. Guys who carry guns usually use a ship, a tank, or at least a great big truck.

Gee, I didn't know I could conceal carry one of those. The State of Texas issued me a license to do so.

In reality, whether we like it or not, there has always been political correctness in sensitive areas. That's why there are no Air Force bases on foreign soil. Frankly, the antis seem to react angrier to the word "guns" than they do to rifles, pistols, or even firearms. Remember, it's "gun violence" they are against, not "weapon violence." MHO

Yep, I noticed than my CHL has the word "gun" in it.
Also wanted to point out the I just posted a link to that thread because I thought it was funny. I realize now that it may look like Bitterclinger is weighing in on the issue. I don't want to put words in his mouth. His post was on a completely different topic.

[Andrew]

In public I always refer to the firearms I own as a:
[youtube][/youtube]
folks smile and relax.

[remington79]

I don't care for being PC, its nothing but a form of mind/thought control. As for the terms I use I usually use firearm, sidearm, weapon, carbine, shotgun, and pistol. I will use the term Glock if that is what I'm talking about. I never use the word "assault" because it is not the type of firearm I have or use. It wasn't even a term until the 90's. Like the other poster(s) stated I do like the term Patrol Rifle (though I usually just call it a carbine) or you can do like the DHS and refer to them as Personal Defense Weapons. If you look at DHS's requirements for a PDW they are requiring select fire. I have also seen the term Modern Musket used and if you think about it that is what they are. I also saw them refered to (in one inflammatory article) as "regime change rifles."

[TexasGal]

I think I most often call them a firearm, gun, pistol, or by it's specific name (XDm, etc). However, the TC in my NRA Instructor class did indeed explain the "W" word is frowned upon and I did get caught using it in one presentation. Considering the concern that "weapon" is poorly received by non-gun persons probably is trickled down from attitudes the NRA encounters in political settings, I am willing to do my part and try to avoid it. If it helps our cause, it's not a big deal to pick another word. I try to impress on anyone I am talking to that they are simply a means of self defense when necessary. And women deserve the best means of self defense there is.

Of course, I could use Andrew's idea and call it a "Boomstick", but I'm afraid people would think I was saying "broomstick" and I kinda look like I would ride on one first thing in the morning already so I'd rather not help that impression.

[rwponline]

BTW, I think that the pressure to be more pc has been one of the main forces driving this country into the preverbial ditch. The idea that we have to practically reinvent the English language so somebody doesn't get their feathers ruffled kinda makes me sick to my stomach. So I really don't care if it sets off someone's oversensitivity meter if I used the soon-to-become-dreaded W word. But I do think that we should be smarter when presenting our case to the uninformed, especially in areas where the conversation may be overheard (or comparable).

, but I think it's more than that.

The novel 1984 introduced the idea of 'thoughtspeak,' or controlling language in order to control/suppress ideas. In the same way, I believe that PC is dramatically changing our culture. Some of it is driven by the increasingly litigious nature of our society (greed/entitlement), but other aspects are clearly the result of people pushing an agenda.

Reference the move to replace "gun control" with "gun safety", and "crime" with "gun violence".