This is the same silly argument as being against the wearing of DPM by civilian shooters.
If I want to call my guns murder death sticks - so be it (I'd be a tit for sure) it's just a word, reclaim it - it doesn't matter. The wider public think we're all odd balls anyway - and wouldn't you know it - if odd balls can be trusted with "weapons" well then that's just fine with me.
My FEO in Hampshire made a song and dance about me referring to my shotgun as a weapon (I mentioned that the weapon would be stored in the armoury at work)
Then my certificate arrived, along with a weapon transfer form........
I agree that as civilian shooters we should use the terms firearms or shotguns. Whenever I get any letter or e mail from the police, as I did about my unnumbered shotgun, that refers to weapons I make it clear to the police that 1) I do not have any weapons and 2) They are not in the business of licensing weapons. It might sound petty but Dromia is right on this one.
I amended the last form that the police sent me. It asked "Do you have any Weapons", I ticked Yes but put Firearms in brackets afterwards. I believe that its an important distinction to make, we hold firearms not weapons.
The above post probably contains sarcasm or some other form of attempted wit, please don't take it to heart.