Firearms or weapons.

[Outsider]

We could be calling them Happy Time Explosion Pipes and they'd still be trying to ban 'em.

[snayperskaya]

I took it that the word "Weapon" should be stigmatised as has happened to the word "nigger" and so effectively removed from everyday vocabulary in regards to certificated firearms/shotguns...

I agree with you Sim, that's how I read it.

[hitchphil]

I remember some jumped up clown of a Flt-Sgt in my ATC unit holding an old deactivated No 4 303 & a plastic water pistol & training us all; "this is my rifle, this is my gun, this is for shooting, this is for fun" squirt squiart!. t*@t!

I changed a Licensing office form for notification of acquisition of a Weapon to Firearm & use it by email - no problems. The term weapon has become demonised by the gutter press & so I tend to avoid it. We are never going to re-educate the feckless or tabloid sheep but we dont have to join in with their intended derogatory term for our Firearms.

Personally I actually use an 'instrument' to drill V Bulls.

[Dougan]

I think we should only ever call them firearms. Calling them weapons implies we're all stockpiling items with which to kill each other, in my humble view.

I don't even like 'firearms'...which are arms (weapons) that fire...why can't they be referred to as what they are; rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers?

[Gaz]

We could be calling them Happy Time Explosion Pipes and they'd still be trying to ban 'em.

"I'll give you my Happy Time Explosion Pipe when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"

[BamBam]

Know a bloke who describes every firearm type as a "weapon system" he sounds like a proper pretentious tw*t when he does this, it's not a SAM installation he's talking about. He also talks about what weapon system he will be grabbing first on the "glorious day". Knows more about weapons and warfare than anybody. Never served, not even tea in the cadets.
Think because of this I don't use the word weapon. When first taught, they were described as "vuurwapen" by the instructors, which confusingly the direct translation is fire weapon... Geweer is gun, but wasn't in the artillery.

[HALODIN]

Classic.

Never served, not even tea in the cadets.

Rifle or firearm for me, the word weapon infers it's intent, which begs the question is an old .303 still a weapon...

[Blackstuff]

We could be calling them Happy Time Explosion Pipes and they'd still be trying to ban 'em.

"I'll give you my Happy Time Explosion Pipe when you pry it from my hot, sweaty hand!"

FIFY

[ashmcc]

This thread reminded me of an experience when I was a youngster. We were stripping and cleaning after a range session and passed by a particular S/Sgt who, on overhearing one kid refer to his L98A1 as a "gun", immediately went to top volume and barked "That's a RIFLE! GUNS have WHEELS!"
:)

[Maggot]

Having moved area, I have just had my FEO visit.

Did not start well, he took out my file and tut tutted at my ammunition allowance. He only saw sense when I explained I take part in 40 or more comps per year with some comps having 100 rd courses of fire.

Got worse when he checked firearms and make clear his disdain for my AR type rifles. The Vepr 12 almost induced a faint.

He then went on to advise me not to apply for "too many" variations as the Dept is busy. I replied that I would only apply for as many as I need.

I could not help but notice on the paperwork that all my firearms were listed as weapons. Firearm / weapon may be a pedantic distinction but I recall a FAC holder being told off by a Met FEO when he referred to a weapon. He was bluntly told he was permitted firearms for sporting use and mention of "weapons" would call into question his suitability to possess firearms.

Was going to mention it to him but I did not think the debate would be friendly !!

Bri, they are often referred to as weapons by job mate, its a generic term.

The problem is there are no set standards un the UK as its all interpreted from the act.

It does not bother me either way, just another PITA generated by a society (and public services mostly) that care more about being outraged, PC and image, than common sense.

Enjoy your firewaepistolrifcanonapults mate