We need to call things what they are

[avs11054]

IMO, it does us no good to refer to guns as 'assault weapons' (a vague term that politicians can change the meaning of at will) or 'assault rifles' (a very specific type of fire arm). We need to call them what they are; an AR-15, a WASR-10 (not an AK 47 unless you are talking about a full auto gun). We also should not call 30 round magazines 'high capacity magazines' but we should refer to them as standard capacity magazines, as that is what most of them are.

When antis use these incorrect terms, they need to be called on them. Ask them to define an 'assault weapon,' or an 'assault rifle,' or a 'high capacity magazine.' This will help the people on the fence learn the facts rather than an anti 2nd amendment agenda.

Are there any terms I am leaving out that should be added to this list?

 

[Skribs]

If I'm using anti terms, I put quotes around them or say "so-called". While it is more accurate to use the term AR-15, keep in mind that the AR-15 is not the only rifle in that category. Terms like "modern sporting rifle" cover things from a sporterized SKS to an AR-15 to a civilian AK.

I should also point out, we have been pouncing on antis for doing this as long as I've been paying attention. There is no need to start.

 

[avs11054]

If I'm using anti terms, I put quotes around them or say "so-called".

Yes. I do this too.

I have seen and heard many pro-gun people in this debate use the incorrect terms. There are some out there who religously stick to these terms, but we all need to.

 

[akv3g4n]

I generally agree but it can get a little laborious. For instance, the AR15 was developed by ArmaLite and then the design was sold to Colt who now has a trademark on it. So, technically, only ArmLites and Colts are really AR15 rifles. But I agree on the "assault weapon" and "high capacity magazine" usage.

 

[AlexanderA]

It may be too late to insist on definitional purity. It makes us sound like nitpickers. Everybody knows what's being talked about. Unfortunately, the antis have already won the semantic war. They've been laying the groundwork for this for a long time.

 

[jamesbeat]

How about the term 'self loading rifle'?
It's what the British army called the FAL; the L1A1SLR
I think that getting rid of 'automatic' in any form is a good idea.
'Semiautomatic' still sounds like a machine gun to the uninitiated.

I think semantics are important- look how negatively the term 'assault weapon' has affected us.

Incidentally, 'assault weapon' unfortunately is now a real legal term meaning a semiauto rifle with 'evil features'.