Firearm Politics - Glossary of Terms
Pro Rights
A more accurate, and far more compelling term than
the common "pro gun." The reverse term, which describes them, is
"anti rights." Misguided utopian disarmament advocates love the
phrases "pro gun" and "anti gun," because they automatically
win when they're used. They believe the righteous path is to be anti gun,
because only devils would be pro gun. You flat lose if you allow a debate to be
framed that way.
The debate is really between people who are "pro rights" and
"anti rights" (and then you automatically win), because the righteous
choice between pro rights and anti rights is obvious. You're pro safety; pro
self defense; pro freedom; pro liberty; pro Bill of Rights (correctly casting
them as anti safety; anti self defense; anti freedom; anti liberty; anti Bill
of Rights). This is an accurate depiction of people who would restrict, repress
and flat-out deny civil rights you and your ancestors have always had in America.
Crime Control
What "gun control" used to mean, and a generally good idea (the
phrase "gun control" has morphed to mean "disarm the
public" and thus should be avoided (more on this later). Everyone
basically agrees there should be crime control, so it is good grounds for
détente. A common sense and reasonable proposal. Includes forcibly disarming criminals. Emphasizes
the differences between criminals and an armed public.
Anti Rights
A more accurate, and far more compelling term than the
common "anti gun." The reverse term, which describes you, is
"pro rights." Fight the desire to cast repressionists
as "anti gun," (and by so doing casting yourself narrowly as
"pro gun"). Instead, always refer more broadly to the
"anti-rights" posture they take. Make them argue rights, not guns.
Gun Bigot
A person who hates guns. Typically has little or no
personal knowledge of guns, may never have even fired one, certainly doesn't
have any. Would gladly subject innocent people to
defenselessness. An elitist. One with an
irrational and morbid fear of guns that is ignorant and immoral. Spews bile and venom at guns, gun owners, gun-rights advocates,
gun-rights associations, pro-Bill of Rights legislators. Striking similarity and direct parallels with the racial bigotry of
the civil rights efforts since the 1960s.
Gun Bigotry
The notion that you can only own a gun if it is expensive, or passes a drop
test, a melting point test, a consumer products test, a government design test,
a caliber size, an ammunition capacity, a lock test, etc. The
notion that only idiots, miscreants, red necks, dim bulbs and other nasty-named
people would own guns. The notion that you can only vote, oops, I mean
have a firearm, if you pass a test run by your government, and pay the tax,
often called a "fee." The notion that anyone who
fails the tests -- or any other qualifications -- automatically forfeits their
rights "for the common good." An inability
to distinguish honest people from criminals.
Gun Prejudice
Discrimination against honest people merely for their
legal ownership or possession of firearms. A common
occurrence in society today. A violation of your
constitutional and natural rights. Gun prejudice appears to be a federal
civil-rights offense, punishable by prison and fine. Now there's a thought. Repressionists have attempted some very novel court
challenges to laws that protect our liberties. Turnabout's
fair play. If there were, say, a city bank somewhere that refused
customers simply because they legally handled firearms...
Anti Self-Defense
Movement People who believe you have little or no right to defend yourself
if attacked, because social order may only be imposed by an authority, and that
such authority is superior to your right to exist (if push comes to shove). Also sometimes referred to as socialists. Sometimes
expressed as your right to keep a cell phone handy to dial 911. Aggressive
"pacifists" in anti self-defense movements are often deceptively
portrayed as the "anti-gun movement." Never let them hide behind
their comfortable disguise as anti gun.
The "N" Word
Anti-rights activists are becoming so strident in their call to deny your
civil rights, they are referring to anyone who owns a
gun as a "gun nut." This term drips with hate, and comes from a heart
filled with hate, from people who, surprisingly, believe they are anti hate. It
is directed not at criminals but at honest and decent people. You should
express the same outrage at the "N" word, and similar epithets, as
any ethnic group would feel about racial slurs.
Rowanites
Anti-rights bigots who secretly own guns themselves, rely upon armed guards
for security, or live inside communities with private security forces, but
decry your right to arms. Closet gun owners. Named in
honor of Carl Rowan, a vicious anti-gun bigot whose syndicated newspaper column
vilified guns and gun owners for years, to a vast audience, until he one day
fired at a trespasser near his home.
Affordable Firearms
Anti-rights bigots curse these as "junk guns" and "Saturday
night specials," racial epithets you should never use. The racist goal of
outlawing guns unless they're expensive is self evident and reprehensible. A
woman who eats inexpensive food and drives an inexpensive car doesn't lose her
right to protect her family because she can only afford an inexpensive gun.
Sidearm
Or would you rather use the complex and dangerous sounding (though accurate
perhaps) "semiautomatic handgun," a term which many people think
means machine gun, according to Handgun Control (who recommends use of the term
"semiautomatic handgun"). Unfortunately, "handgun" has been
vilified beyond usability, and needs to be retired or at least back-burnered for now. Remember, it was the so-called Brady
"handgun" law that federalized all retail sales of rifles and
shotguns.
Pistol
Or would you rather use the complex and dangerous sounding
(though accurate perhaps) "semiautomatic handgun." A basic,
reliable, standard type of pistol, a regular pistol, an ordinary pistol, the same kind of pistol anyone would normally own. A basic,
reliable, standard type of sidearm, a regular sidearm, an ordinary sidearm, the same kind of sidearm anyone would normally own.
Household Firearms
The type any household is likely to have. All the firearms you own, despite
constant name-calling from the media, are just common household firearms.
Government Gun
The only kind you can now buy in America at retail.
Basic Self Defense Gun
Any type of firearm that could save your life in an
emergency. The fear-monger term "assault weapon" accurately
applies in one context only -- any gun criminally pointed at you. Strict
penalties should attach regardless of what is used as the assault weapon. Any
firearm is inherently defensive unless and until abused by an assailant. "The" assault weapon, not "an" assault weapon.
Politically Corrected
Language that does not automatically bias a debate about
the Bill of Rights against individual liberty and freedom. Opposite of "politically correct" language, which is
basically socialist in nature. We all recognize that "political
correctness" is "incorrect," and then we sneer and dismiss it.
We do this at great peril, however, for PC statements treated that way don't
just go away, they fester and insidiously modify the paradigm, and bend our
thinking into acceptance of that which we have verbalized as
"correct."
You want a good example of neurolinguistic
programming and transformational grammar on a national scale, there it is. It's how we get to the Orwellian point where "ignorance
is strength, freedom is slavery."
Bill of Rights
More broadly appealing and less polarizing than
"Second Amendment." Sure, I talk about the Second Amendment
all the time. But saying "Bill of Rights" protects you from malicious
stigma and stereotyping as a "gun nut." Much more difficult to
oppose, slows the bigots down. All the rights count, don't they, and they're
all under attack. Bill of Rights Day. Pro Bill of Rights. I support the Bill of Rights, don't you?
Actually, even virulent gun haters and gun bigots champion the First Amendment
and other parts of the BOR, which, if you'll recall, was a single amendment
(with separate articles) to the Constitution.
Carry
Expunge the word "concealed" because so many people hear it and
believe only a criminal would conceal something. It implies you have something
to hide. Because being discreet is a common sense, reasonable measure, there's
no need to demean it with an ugly adjective (in this use anyway) like
"concealed." "Carry license," not "concealed-carry
license."
Lethality
The quality of a gun that makes it useful as a
crime-stopping, life-saving, defensive tool. A point
that is attacked subtly in most anti-rights arguments. When met head on,
the issue works against the anti-rights position. Caliber and capacity
restrictions reduce lethality and your ability to save yourself or the state.
Reducing lethality costs lives. Why should police need more capacity than you,
when you both face the same criminals. How few bullets
may a person use against an attacker, and how small should they be.
Guns are dangerous. They're supposed to be dangerous. They wouldn't be any
good if they weren't dangerous. Anything that makes them less dangerous by
reducing lethality puts you (or police officers or the military) at
unacceptable risk.
Hoplophobia
Irrational, morbid fear of guns (coined by Col. Jeff Cooper, from the Greek hoplites,
weapon). May cause sweating, faintness, discomfort, rapid
pulse, more, at mere thought of guns. Hoplophobes
are common and should never be involved in setting gun policies. Point out hoplophobic behavior when noticed, it is dangerous, and
sufferers deserve pity. Often helped by training, or by
coaching at a range, a process known to psychiatry as desensitization, useful
in treating many phobias.
Democide
Murder committed by government. The most prevalent form of murder,
responsible last century alone for 170 million deaths.
The First Amendment
Stop saying Second Amendment so much, since the other side tunes this out
immediately, and marginalizes you as a "gun nut." Say "First
Amendment" instead, and make your comparisons there -- does the government
jeopardize your First Amendment rights? You betcha!
Should you be concerned? Of course! What would you think of Internet
censorship, government approved religion, font size limits, restricted word
choices, acceptable word counts, licensed writers, training and testing before
publishing controversial editorials, and tests for
accuracy -- now there's a nice parallel.
People on all sides recognize there are threats to free speech, religion,
privacy and more from our friends, the government. The same root problems
affect the whole Bill of Rights, gun rights are no
different than other rights under attack.
Gun-Safety Classes
Something that, with all the accidents reported in America, all
Americans should be taking -- from the tens of thousands of trainers out there.
Always encourage people on both sides of a debate to take a real class. Why
wouldn't an honest person take a gun-safety class? Going out
for some wholesome and relaxing target practice, with friends. Getting good at marksmanship. Target
practice. Marksmanship. These words have not been
defiled and cast a good light, use them. Privately promoted
gun-safety training days. Talk up the goal of "National Accident
Reduction" through education and training. Trainers: there's big money to
be made in the gaping theater called, "We need more safety."
Real Gun-Safety Class
A gun-safety class is real if it teaches a person how to shoot, or is taught
by a marksman. Phony gun-safety classes, also known as "gun avoidance
programs," are generally taught by people who want you to believe that
guns are evil, and something you should never own. Range time is never part of
a phony safety class. By and large the "teachers" are not gun owners
themselves, rarely if ever practice their marksmanship skills, and may even
favor civilian disarmament.
The curriculum in a phony gun-safety class is a mixture of fear, danger and
avoidance that encourages gun ignorance. No empowerment takes place. A phony
gun-safety class does not teach you how to handle a firearm in any manner, and
even a dummy gun for learning rudimentary safety skills is usually not present.
Safe gun use is simply not an issue at a phony program. The phony approach is
becoming popular among pediatricians and the medical community, and others, who
frequently are acting out their own repressed fears and personal dread of
firearms. Real and phony gun-safety classes both usually include a good dose of
politics.
Avoidance Programs
These have their place and can prevent accidents ("Don't go near the
pool!" or "Don't touch that gun!"), but recognize them for what
they are. In the end, the education card must trump. Learning how to swim and
learning how to safely handle a firearm are excellent skills to have, even
though both can be lethally dangerous. It's precisely because you can drown
that you learn to swim, and it's because regular household firearms are
dangerous that a person needs to at least learn about them. It's because a
criminal's firearm is really dangerous that people learn a lot about firearms
and their effective use. Learning replaces fear and danger with confidence and
safety. Avoidance programs cannot do this. They perpetuate danger by instilling
ignorance. It makes sense to know how to swim even if you have no pool. After
all, your neighbor might have one.
Gun Buyups
Gun "buy back" programs are misnamed. You cannot buy back
something you didn't own in the first place. Since the Brady law prohibits
dumping such guns into criminal lairs (gun buyers must be certified by the FBI
these days), there is no longer justification for destroying firearms collected
in buyups. That's right,
there is no longer any justification at all for destroying firearms collected
in buyups. When buyups are
government funded, meltdowns are therefore wanton destruction of a public
asset, and someone deserves to be held liable. Tax dollars are buying legal
property simply to destroy it, when the only way to sell it is to certifiably
law-abiding individuals. What an outrage.
Where I live, savvy collectors have set up shop at widely publicized gun buyups to make competitive bids and cherry pick the
merchandise, pre-smelter.
Gun Control
Now generally synonymous with "disarming the
public." Using the phrase "gun control" in its currently
twisted form distorts the debate and should be avoided; it is the other side's rallying
flag, bolstered every time the words leave your lips; argue about gun control
and you've already lost. Use "crime control,"
"accident reduction" and "disarming the public" to
distinguish issues and preserve accuracy.
Listen hard when you hear the term "gun control" in the news.
You'll notice they're usually not talking about controlling crime. They're
talking about controlling you.
Always start by asking what a person means when they say this phrase, then
shut up and see. Often, people who think of themselves as being anti gun
unwittingly adopt the position that only the rulers should be armed (cop and
army guns OK, but not you). Such a person isn't anti gun at all,
they're simply anti rights -- your rights.
When a "gun-control law" regulates or demeans honest people in the
false name of controlling crime, that's actually tyranny. When "gun
control" controls your right to have a gun, that
is people control. The phrase "gun control" is a dangerous misnomer
(some would say euphemism) for an agenda now actively pursued by a segment of society, that would consolidate power solely in
"official" hands.
Help seize the metaphor back:
- Drop into conversation how
your gun control at target practice recently was better than usual, or how
you have pretty good gun control but you still need some lessons. Invite
someone to your gun-control class at the range next Tuesday -- free style
target practice. A well advertised gun-control class might attract some
pretty interesting neighbors. Jokes about gun control ("a steady
hand") are neurolinguistically challenged
and don't help. Say something else funny if you must be funny.
- When reporters and others
inevitably ask, "Are you in favor of gun control?" they often
don't realize their question is as biased as, "Are you still beating
your wife?" So it's up to you to show them. They're looking for a pro
or con answer, and then a question of how much. Don't play into it.
Instead, try responding, "Well me, I'm in favor of crime control. How
about you?"
- When you write about
so-called "gun control" or so-called "gun-control
laws" always put it in quotes, to disparage it.
The Henigan/Bogus Theory
Named by David Kopel in honor of
its two leading proponents (Dennis Henigan and Carl
Bogus). This is the notion, first arising a few decades ago, that the
Second Amendment does not protect an individual right. It stands in opposition
to the fact that "the people" means all of us, and is responsible for
the widely armed population we observe today. Covered more thoroughly in an
earlier article of mine, The Big Lie (attached). Kopel's
recent paper on this, for the St. Louis University Public Law Review, is
nothing short of brilliant. Reach Dave at http://www.independenceinstitute.net.
Cognitive Dissonance
A tool for reaching closed minds. The use of questions to point out
fundamental illogic, which can then topple the notions a person builds on that
flawed base. An application of the Socratic method. The mental awareness that forms when a simple question challenges
fundamentally held beliefs. Here are many. One at a time is usually
enough for most minds.
- If a registration list makes
sense for the Second Amendment, would it make sense for the First
Amendment?
- Are criminals and an armed
citizenry the same thing?
- So why do people these days
carry guns anyway, and does it ever work?
- Should it be against the law
to defend yourself?
- So if you are allowed to
defend yourself, how many bullets can you use?
- Shouldn't we disarm the
criminals first?
- Why haven't we disarmed the
criminals?
- Why don't they arrest all the
Brady criminals they find?
- Are you against an armed
citizenry?
- Do you believe that only the
rulers should have the guns?
- Now let me see if I
understand this; when you say "gun control," do you mean
"stop crime" or "disarm the public"?
- Now let me see if I
understand this; when you say you're anti gun, do you mean you want to
disarm the police and the armed forces?
- If you don't want to disarm
the police and military, you're not really anti gun at all. You're only
anti my gun. Why is that?
- You know, after listening to
you for a while, you've convinced me that you should never own a gun.
The Decommissioning Ruse
If the public cannot be disarmed, decommissioning all guns is the next best
thing. Pitched as "gun locks" and requirements for storage, unloading
or separating ammunition from guns, it all serves the same purpose: not merely
to infringe, but to eliminate your ability to keep and bear arms.
Decommissioning schemes are an enormously effective, insidious and destructive
ploy. If the gun is empty, you're legal. As soon as it is loaded, or
accessible, or outside its padlocked canister, you stand at risk of criminal
charges. How outrageous. Charges should only stem from a criminal act that
creates a victim, not mere possession of private property. If you can't point
to the victim, there is probably no crime.
Sunshine Gun Laws
Laws that encourage gun-safety training and responsible
firearms ownership, as opposed to repressive laws that criminalize honest gun
ownership and infringe civil rights. Civil rights.
For a swell list, go to http://www.gunlaws.com.
War on Guns
If you like the war on drugs, you're gonna love
the war on guns.
Assault Forces
They carry belt-fed machine guns, drive assault vehicles, and establish
their presence by military might and the threat or use of lethal force. The
media often call such folks "peacekeepers" but they sure look like
troops of an occupying army. Decide for yourself next time you see such
"news." Please, don't get me started on the "news."
Communist China
Not "China."
A country whose leaders are interested in bringing about our demise,
and replacing representative democracy with communism. If you're worried about
people who steal guns, remember that these are the people who stole our atom
bomb secrets, and they make their own guns. An enemy of
capitalism and American values. Their beliefs about human and civil
rights are horrifying and abhorrent to the American way. Bill
of Rights? Try death penalty for minor and political crimes, mandatory
enforced birth control, imprisonment for speech against the regime, forced
labor, no right to assembly, trials without defense testimony, and no choice in
the leadership.
I don't know about you, but I do not relish the thought of such a system
here. Would the rulers of Communist Red China be capable of such brutal
atrocities if the Chinese people they oppress were heavily armed, I wonder. If
a heavily armed Chinese populace were somehow able to prevent the deaths and
abuse from the yoke of a tyrannical dictatorship, but experienced instead
deaths and injury from its own negligent and criminal misuse of arms, would
that be a fair trade?
Deterrence
So where do you stand, Senator, on deterrence at schools? You know, is it
legal for a person caught in one of these media-hyped killing sprees to shoot
back if they are able? Is there any limit on the number of bullets they could
use? Would they be charged with something if they managed to
stop the attack and the attacker died in the process, or if they used a type of
gun not on an approved list? More questions the media doesn't ask, and
an exploration of the issues, is coming soon in a piece I call, "So Where
Do You Stand, Senator?"
Closing Note:
This article doesn't end here. In attempting a document like this, I know I
can never reach its ending. It defines a path which simply stretches forward.
If I wait until I have this evolved to my satisfaction it will never wrap.
These ideas are too important to let wait that long. Consider this an early peek
at a work in progress.
"Social balance has evolved into a
war of the metaphor -- neurolinguistic programming
meets George Orwell."
-Alan Korwin
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