Treo and jdc1244:
If I thought that calling 'em "Home Defense Rifles" or "Civil Defense Rifles" or whatever would produce a meaningful effect, I would support it. Sadly, I don't think that changing the terminology at this stage of the game is going to help. People already have a mental picture of what an "assault rifle" is. Correcting them by saying "No, this is my 'Home Defense Rifle'" is going to feel like exactly the propaganda that it is. The anti you're talking to isn't going to say, "Oh, wow, a Home Defense Rifle! And here I thought it was an Evil Black Assault Rifle. I guess it's okay to own an HDR...." Meaning no insult, the change in wording sounds like B.S., and it's just going to set off people's B.S. detectors.
This in addition to the fact that labeling your rifle with a faux-official sounding term like "Homeland Defense Rifle" or "Civil Defense Rifle" has the potential of making you come across as a "militia nutcase", which is a beloved stereotype of the Antis.
And, personally, I too detest the "Homeland" terminology. "Home" is more acceptable, but not noticeably more effective in my opinion.
Like I said, it's a fight that has to be won on merits. We aren't going to win by confusing people on what an "assault rifle" or a "home defense rifle" is. We can only win by convincing people that these particular rifles, by whatever name, are very useful, and very necessary.
Logic, not misdirection.