Guns drawn on me in a pizza joint

[rifleman308]

I was standing in a gun shop when the Officer asked me if he could see my weapon because it was factory engraved. That's when I told him that. I would not do it at a traffic stop but I would tell him I prefer to use the firearm term even though he wants to use the other. If you come in my gun shop you will never hear me call one of my guns called a weapon. Never., Calling all guns weapons is a negative term used by people that don't know any better. My friend came in to my shop on Sunday and he used the weapon term to a customer about 25 times and I asked him not to use the term in the shop any more when speaking to a customer. I had the city council people in on Saturday and one of them said that we liked the idea of a gun shop coming to town but why is the only thing you sell assault weapons? I instantly went off on the idiot. I told him I did not have a single assault weapon in the shop and most where for target practice and varmint guns and not to be used for assaulting someone.
Calling all firearms weapons is like calling all mothers baby killers!!!!!!!

[TunnelRat]

I was standing in a gun shop when the Officer asked me if he could see my weapon because it was factory engraved. That's when I told him that. I would not do it at a traffic stop but I would tell him I prefer to use the firearm term even though he wants to use the other. If you come in my gun shop you will never hear me call one of my guns called a weapon. Never., Calling all guns weapons is a negative term used by people that don't know any better. My friend came in to my shop on Sunday and he used the weapon term to a customer about 25 times and I asked him not to use the term in the shop any more when speaking to a customer. I had the city council people in on Saturday and one of them said that we liked the idea of a gun shop coming to town but why is the only thing you sell assault weapons? I instantly went off on the idiot. I told him I did not have a single assault weapon in the shop and most where for target practice and varmint guns and not to be used for assaulting someone.
Calling all firearms weapons is like calling all mothers baby killers!!!!!!!

I agree with you on every point you make. I can see that the connotations that attend the term "weapon" can be avoided by a careful, yet simple selection of other, more descriptive terms, such as "rifle," or "pistol," or "handgun". I see your point and I agree with your reasoning. We have a significant firearms vocabulary; we should be wise as to our usage since we have to do with an anti-gun culture.

We can, and perhaps we should, endeavor to use more friendly terms and to emphasize the postive aspects of gunhandling. We might well prefer to avoid calling firearms "weapons" due to that term's negative connotations, but we ought not to overstep. It may well be true that "weapon" has negative connations, but it is equally or even more true that a firearm is indeed a weapon. Perhaps that's why we struggle to use a different terminology -- there's no need to scare off the sheep.

However, I am concerned when you say: "A firearm is not a weapon", and your students learn to repeat that. It is one thing to say a Government Model 1911 is a pistol, or is a handgun.; it is another thing to say it is not a weapon. It is one thing to say that a S&W 686 is a revolver; it is another thing to say it is not a weapon.

Even you agree that you "would not do it at a traffic stop"...

Sorry, I don't mean to nitpick. I very much appreciate your service as an instructor. I just want to be sure we are sending a clear message.

[rifleman308]

I send a very clear message to my CHL students and to my students when I was in the bomb dump as an instructor. Yes that military rifle was a weapon but to call an Olympic target rifle a weapon is just being narrow minded at the least. Calling a tire iron a weapon when it has only been used to change tires is the same thing. A National Match 45 that is only being shot at paper a weapon. NO. I have been an instructor for a very long time and I am a NRA recruiter. "Weapon" is not used and they are my students and no one tells me what to call the firearms except for the NRA. Anything else is not considered. A trafic stop by an Officer and he asks for my weapon so I give up my firearm but I never during the stop call it anything other than what I want. Most Officers are not in the mood for an arguement so I don't get it started.
In the Military I carried a weapon now when I go to the range I shoot a hand gun or a rifle.

[GWC]

I think we should call our guns Fluffy Bunnies.

[TunnelRat]

I think we should call our guns Fluffy Bunnies.

Apparently you are not alone...

[Jronjakoh]

I have to agree with Rifleman. I've never had the privelege to be in the armed forces. I was rejected in the 'draft line' because of my hearing. I wanted to go so bad I had enlisted in 4 different branches before I went to the draftline. in 68.
When most documentaries of the armed forces are shown especially 'boot camp' that is all you hear the D.I.'s yell. " YOUR WEAPON"
My daughter was taught that as an Navel Sea cadet D.I.
It is called a weapon. Today she calls it a gun.
That word I think scares the people.public more than anything else.
They hear the word 'gun' and watch them take a double take at the person saying the word.
I try to use a word that will not shake up the sheeple so I use firearm or weapon. But lately the word weapon seems to have the same effect.
So I try to use the word handgun,pistol,semi auto,shotgun or rifle.

Da always had the old saying he was taught:
This is my weapon this is my gun
This is for shooting and this is for fun

[Glockulator]

i can't believe this thread is still going...

[jemc02]

...and going....and going...and going.....

[rifleman308]

Finally someone that agrees with common sense. The thread has gone on for a while but it has been a greatly debated issue for a very long time and I am going to quit while I am ahead. Thanks to all of you and I am sorry if I offended anyone. If you ever get by the town of Bellbrook stop by and get an AR built while you wait or just for the bull and free coffee.

[Jronjakoh]

Hey !
Can we help it if the Eveready Bunny got involved in this thread??

[dan_sayers]

I was standing in a gun shop when the Officer asked me if he could see my weapon because it was factory engraved. That's when I told him that. I would not do it at a traffic stop but I would tell him I prefer to use the firearm term even though he wants to use the other. If you come in my gun shop you will never hear me call one of my guns called a weapon. Never., Calling all guns weapons is a negative term used by people that don't know any better. My friend came in to my shop on Sunday and he used the weapon term to a customer about 25 times and I asked him not to use the term in the shop any more when speaking to a customer. I had the city council people in on Saturday and one of them said that we liked the idea of a gun shop coming to town but why is the only thing you sell assault weapons? I instantly went off on the idiot. I told him I did not have a single assault weapon in the shop and most where for target practice and varmint guns and not to be used for assaulting someone.
Calling all firearms weapons is like calling all mothers baby killers!!!!!!!

I agree with you on every point you make. I can see that the connotations that attend the term "weapon" can be avoided by a careful, yet simple selection of other, more descriptive terms, such as "rifle," or "pistol," or "handgun". I see your point and I agree with your reasoning. We have a significant firearms vocabulary; we should be wise as to our usage since we have to do with an anti-gun culture.

We can, and perhaps we should, endeavor to use more friendly terms and to emphasize the postive aspects of gunhandling. We might well prefer to avoid calling firearms "weapons" due to that term's negative connotations, but we ought not to overstep. It may well be true that "weapon" has negative connations, but it is equally or even more true that a firearm is indeed a weapon. Perhaps that's why we struggle to use a different terminology -- there's no need to scare off the sheep.

However, I am concerned when you say: "A firearm is not a weapon", and your students learn to repeat that. It is one thing to say a Government Model 1911 is a pistol, or is a handgun.; it is another thing to say it is not a weapon. It is one thing to say that a S&W 686 is a revolver; it is another thing to say it is not a weapon.

Even you agree that you "would not do it at a traffic stop"...

Sorry, I don't mean to nitpick. I very much appreciate your service as an instructor. I just want to be sure we are sending a clear message.

Okay, fine. For the sake of the community I wish to represent dutifully, I will not say it's NOT a weapon. However, I will continue to not call it one and try to help others understand the impact in doing so.

I have the solution by the way: sidearm. What word better expresses that it is an extension of ourselves? While at the same time denoting that it is in the background?

[NavyChief]

I can't write a letter to the Mayor because the Police building touches mine and I need a good neighbor. That is why I didn't mention the City My gun shop is in.

Ahh, but I can mention it to her myownself (obliquely, of course, so as not to ruffle the wrong feathers) when I'm up next month. Yes, I know her - and a couple of the city council members (I should - one is my mom).

[NavyChief]

When the patrolman asks if you have any weapons, he is not in the mood to play word games.

Back when I was going through some of my Navy LE training, the standard question was, "Do you have anything on your person that could be a danger to my partner or me?" Do you think the answer, "No, but I do have a .357, 6" Cold Steel Voyager and a cannister of OC..." would be considered playing word games?

[dirty larry]

call them what you will, but be it a hand gun or assault rifle, shotgun, or hunting rifle. they all are (together class) weapons! and if used correctly deadly weapons. THERE IS NO SENCE LIKE COMMONSENCE. i wish the hippies, yuppies, preppies, and all the other ies, would take their political correctness and pack it in there volvo and drive nonstop to never neverland.. thank you and goodday.

[SMMAssociates]

Chief:

Yup....

But a "Yes, but only if you shoot first" or some such, probably would be OK....

By then they should know you're a CHL and carrying, anyway, if it's a vehicular issue. Otherwise, any LEO who assumes a "contact" isn't armed may be in for a short career.

I don't think I'd wave anything in anybody's face, and it's hard to guess their mood, but there's far less risk in answering the question honestly. We're supposed to be the good guys, too....

Regards,