Terminology

[PALADIN85020]

There are some items of terminology that we all employ which I believe need to be cleaned up when communicating with the general public about gun subjects. As anyone who knows me understands, I'm the last guy on earth to be considered as "politically correct." At the same time I recognize that the general public sometimes gets sqeamish over certain terms, so a spoonfull of sugar might help the medicine go down.

1. "Concealed carry." Now this is a term we all understand, and we have, generally, no adverse reaction to it. Not so the general public. A concealed weapon means to many that a gun is carried with mal-intent. I myself have accordingly substituted the term discrete carry instead, either in print or verbally. The word "discrete" conveys more gentility and consideration for the opinions of others. I think from a public relations standpoint, it's a good idea and should be more universally adopted by gun enthusiasts.

2. "Gun Nut." This one, for some inexplicable reason, seems to have come into almost universal usage. With us, it's kinda like fondly addressing a buddy as "you old SOB" but should someone else call him (or you) that, it's extremely offensive. I wouldn't like Sarah Brady calling me a "Gun nut" although I'm comfortable with that term being used on me by another firearms-savvy person. To the public, a "gun nut" is a wild-eyed beer-swigging redneck extremist who loves to go to colleges and universities and shoot people. ....I suggest using the term marksman instead. This implies that I am gun savvy, and that I use my skills mostly on the range in a perfectly lawful manner. To the public, I'm a marksman, not a "gun nut." It also gets the emphasis off of "gun" and emphasizes the skill aspect more.

3. "Unrestricted (or unlicensed) concealed carry." This is a term I hear a lot in Arizona now because our state now allows discrete carry for any unlicensed law-abiding citizen who is not restricted by prior criminal acts. Again, it implies chaos in the streets - who knows what "gun nut" is "carrying a concealed weapon"? Inasmuch as other states are considering passing similar laws, I strongly suggest the term Constitutional carry. The implication here is that we are simply carrying out the intent of the Founders, and invoking a right guaranteed by the Constitution. I think that term goes down a lot more smoothly with the public at large.

I think we all need to be more aware of the terms we use with the general public and think about the reactions that may or may not result from our words. Glad to get your opinions - what do you say?

John

 

[Trooperdan]

Sounds like a good idea but good luck trying to get it in common usage! Years ago, I tried to do something similiar when everyone, even us marksmen, were calling paramilitary weapons "assualt weapons". I didn't get anywhere and even distributors ran their ads as "assualt weapons"!

 

[P&R Fan]

I agree completely.
I always cringe when I hear the media refer to illegally armed criminals committing crimes as "Gun Crime". The gun is an inanimate object, it can't commit a crime. The media do this to make guns themselves look evil and scary.
I also always notice when people, even gun owners, say Article Two of the Bill of Rights "gives" us the right to keep and bear arms. It does no such thing. That was a preexisting right. The Constitution does not grant rights, it protects them.
And since I'm on a rant I never call it the Second Amendment. I prefer, as I mentioned, Article Two of the Bill of Rights.

 

[NKJ nut]

We don't really know for sure what the "general public" thinks when they hear some of our terminology. I suspect that those who are anti-gun will continue to be and those who are pro-gun will continue to be regardless of whether we say: gun nut, assault rifle, concealed carry or if we substitute some term that very few people even understand.

Again, how can we say for sure what the masses think? Each person is an individual.

 

[oldfella]

Paladin - I like the way you think; let's not call the pinkos "Commies", just call them "radicals"... how does that sound to you?

Pete

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

To the public, a "gun nut" is a wild-eyed beer-swigging redneck extremist who loves to go to colleges and universities and shoot people. ....I suggest using the term marksman instead. This implies that I am gun savvy, and that I use my skills mostly on the range in a perfectly lawful manner. To the public, I'm a marksman, not a "gun nut." It also gets the emphasis off of "gun" and emphasizes the skill aspect more.

I've always understood the term "Gun nut" to mean firearms enthusiast, and the term "Marksman" to mean precision shooting skills. Not sure why someone should be referred to as a marksman, who may or may not be a marksman, to satisfy those who are already confused about terminology? Why not just replace the term "gun nut" with "gunsmith?"

let's not call the pinkos "Commies", just call them "radicals"... how does that sound to you?

Pete

In a quiet hushed tone.... The Password is "Progressive".

 

[scandmx5]

kind of like how the "gubment" dubs real patriots as terrorists these days...

 

[OKFC05]

The first step is winning an ideological battle is to change the vocabulary and demonize your opponent, and gun owners in general really suck at fighting this tactic.

Never mind the popular press, look at all the "gun friendly" press and gun owners on the internet who buy into the PC language of the liberals, refer to "assault weapons," rant against open carry, bash the NRA, advocate government restrictions (against other people) and generally sell out their fellow gun owners and hunters at every turn.

"Who cares if they ban _____(fill in the blank). I don't need one...."

 

[pilgrim6a]

Thank you P@R Fan, for reminding me that it is Article 2 of the Bill of Rights. It gives me new ammo for my weekly collision with RED R., from(by grace of GOD) NYC!
If my Rights under Article 2 can be limited by Federal law, then why not Article 1?
You are free to speak your mind, IF you have the proper permit.
You can worship as you please, unless you are a Lutheran. That requires a Federal License.
This should be interesting. He think we are all ignorant rednecks, hicks or at best, backward peasants.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

One man's "gun nut" is another man's "enthusiast", one man's "collection" is an "arsenal" to somebody else. Also I haven't heard too many cases lately of "red necked extremists" shooting up college campuses, the Virginia Tech killer sure didn't qualiify as a red neck.
The term "nut"-in anything -to me implies someone who is a little unablanced, too focused-or obsessed if you will-on something to the exclusion of other interests.

 

[PDL]

It appears that political correctness might be catching on in our world too.

It is unfortunate that most people can't see past the label.

While your terms are functional and probably useful in these times, I don't think I'll be changing my day to day usage very much.

I do like and will use constitutional carry. And I always correct folks that talk about assault weapons.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I think that since my last name is "Smith", I'm just gonna call myself a gun-lover. Or maybe a gunophile. I'm gonna be pistol I decide which.
Peace,
gordon

 

[GatorFarmer]

They're modern sporting rifles these days (the evil black rifles of yesterday).

I also know that Big Brother loves me. He increased the chocolate ration from 40 to 25 grams.

I generally use the term carry weapon. It's none of my business how someone carries it - concealed, openly, strapped to a mule - thus the term works well.

I suppose gun nut does sound bad. Personally I like "maladaptive paranoid personally disorder partially ameliorated by hoarding weapons". Nods.

Col. Askins used to do things like use the terms "clips" and "magazines" interchangeably. (Would you have wanted to be the one to correct him?) Bill Jordan and Skeeter used to write about "bullet loops" too.

Cleaning up terms is over rated. What used to be called "sniper rifles" became precision rifles or tactical precision rifles or even designated marksman rifles. Cleaning up the term didn't change what they they were supposed to do. Same as "collateral damage" or "neutralizing" targets. Gets to be silly after a time.

I like my big spiked club. When people ask what it is for, I tell them that I want a baby seal skin suit. The one big knife? Quite literally a pig sticker. That's how the English language is supposed to work. Simple and descriptive terms.