Grand Junction, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- As a media or firearm/outdoor industry professionals at times we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to the firearm debate.
The words we use can be powerful and even counter- productive to our firearm freedoms and our side of the story.
The term Assault Weapon is a pure anti-gun propaganda term. It was advanced by and for the anti-gun movement in the late 1970’s and popularized in the early 1980’s. There is NO SUCH THING! It just does not exist. Yet we even see our own industry and media using it in magazines, on television and radio outdoor and shooting shows, in firearm catalogs, at gun shows and in gun and sporting goods stores across the nation.
If you must use the word “assault” then apply it to the correct type of firearm: An assault rifle (not weapon-ever) is a military carbine that is BOTH full-automatic and semi-automatic and fires a mid-power cartridge (something between a sub-machine and high-power rifle round such as the 7.62x39mm or 5.56 NATO round). For example a Springfield Armory M1-A (.308 caliber) is not an assault rifle; it is “just” a semi-automatic (not automatic) rifle!
Every time the word ASSAULT WEAPON(S) is used by those of us in the industry we use the anti-gun and anti-Bill of Rights rhetoric and propaganda term; we give them more ammunition to use against gun owners and our Bill of Rights. The NSSF (SHOT Show Folks) realized this and for military look alike carbines they suggest the term modern sporting rifle, and that works!
REGARDLESS, let’s all of us at least NOT use the anti-gun propaganda term “assault weapon.”
The inflammatory term WEAPON is used by far too many of us in and out of the media. We see this emotive but wrong-headed term used in articles, on television firearm and outdoor shows and even in some catalogs and it is routinely used in gun and sporting goods stores.
( DEFINED: weap·on Noun: A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage. )
Nothing is a weapon until that particular item (whatever it is) is used in a single specific incident against a human being. For example a purse, baseball bat, golf club or tire iron is just that unless that item is used in a specific instant against a human; then it can be defined as a weapon–generally in a prosecutor’s case.
And then there is the newest media term “gun violence.” We at Shults Media have never seen a gun or any inanimate object commit violence on its own. This too is a pure propaganda term and when we hear or see it used we remind the user that inanimate objects can’t commit violence and they look foolish for its use.
We hope you do not perceive our remarks as political correctness run amok. The use of these terms is as technically inaccurate as referring to a muzzle loading rifle as a machine gun. When we hear or see these words used incorrectly we should inform the person or entity that is using them of the error and why they are fueling the anti-Bill of Rights people. We found in all cases reasonable people and organizations appreciate learning the facts and the clarification.
Provided to you as a service by Shults Media Relations, LLC greatstuff@acsol.netA PR firm that supports and promotes firearm and outdoor industry products,
About:
Jim Shults understands shooting and has a strong background as an experienced shooter. He has won hundreds of NRA local, state, regional and national shooting championships and set four national records. He is DCM/NRA Distinguished Rifleman, NRA Master in multiple-disciplines, outdoorsman, and has trained and consulted SWAT and counter-terrorism units around the world.
For more information please contact:
Jim Shults
Shults Media Relations, LLC
www.smrpr.com