The Scarlet "W"

[KoriBustard]

I'm a member of a gun club with over 400 members from all walks of life. We have a "policy" that we attempt to politely enforce where firearms are never referred to as "weapons" (the "W" word). I've been shooting since I was a very young boy, and everything was referred to as a rifle, a pistol, a shotgun, a firearm, etc. But the word "weapon" was never part of my vernacular. However, I know many current and former LEOs and Military who regularly use the term "weapon," and understandably so since that term is in all their training. I believe this initiative in part comes from the NRA and other pro-gun groups to change the language we use so that the non-gun owning public may do so also. Curious as to what others think about this. Is it a good idea or we just acquiescing to the current atmosphere that is so focused on "political correctness?"

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[HotGuns]

Totally and completey PC.

It is a weapon. No, if ands and butts about it. If needed to do so it could kill.



Personally I'm quite tired of choosing words so as not to offend weak minded people.

[blanco64]

I mostly agree, and think word usage should be as specific as the situation allows: weapon > gun > pistol

If a person has a 1911 and a Glock 17, he has two pistols. If he has a 1911 and an M1A, he has two guns (or firearms). If he has a pistol, a rifle, and a knife, he has three weapons.

I don't think it should be for purposes of not "scaring" people (or whatever), but for purposes of being as descriptive as possible without being pedantic.

[atctimmy]

Call it what you want and tell the PC crowd to cram it.

[aus71383]

Mine are weapons.

Austin

[Ksgunner]

See my beard, ain't it wierd, don't be skeered it's just a beard....Lenon had a beard, Gabby Hayse had whiskers...
George Carlin...

[KoriBustard]

As I said in my original post, I grew up never using the word "weapon." Probably because my use was primarily for hunting. When I'm at the range shooting skeet, practicing with my pistols, or ranging in a rifle I naturally think in the terms of "firearm," "gun," or "rifle." But when I CCW (note the "W") I clearly and distinctively think of my pistol as a weapon based purely on intent of use for self-protection. So I guess my bottom line is that at a /range/, the term firearm is appropriate and maybe the best. But when my pistol is on my hip or next to my bed, it is best referred to as a weapon.

[blitzburgh]

Weapon, tool, rifle, pistol, knife.

They're all the same thing. I don't concern myself with PC.

[HotGuns]

I call them machines. Lots of springs and little mechanical gizmos to make them work.

I guess you can call them whatever you want. Guns, killing machines, weapons, paperweights, lead injection rockets...calling it whatever doesnt change the function of it.

Unless of course I am in the company of tender minded people or my cousins in Massachusetts, then I call it my "weapon of potential mass murder"as a conversation starter.

[Grandpagus]

Agree with Blitz! Whatever you want to call it, if it does the job that you need it for, it is a tool!

[wmhawth]

More PC silliness. I just couldn't be bothered.

[shadowwalker]

I think PC has gotten out of hand a a rock is a rock a dirt bag is a dirt bag and should be pounded flat with a rock

[Mike1956]

Sometimes I call it a clip just to hear them howl.

[F350]

Thanks for the post; since I go out of my way to be UN-PC I shall use the term weapon, plus it helps remind me it was designed to KILL. It is a DEADLY WEAPON and needs to be treated responsibly. And after watching a number of my buds in USMC boot-camp do the "This is my rifle, this is my gun" march I still can't bring myself to say "gun".

[.45acpguy]

No matter where this originated, it is politically correct BS.

Please do not let anyone know that I cut my steak with a weapon, OK?