Know your terminology in gun control discussion

To the Editor:

Since the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, the left wing has been throwing around inflammatory gun terminology like “high powered AR-15 semi-automatic military-style assault weapon.” The media and the left-wing politicians are seizing on the tragedy to deceive the public, to generate fear of guns in order for the public to call for more restrictions on guns. Let’s cut through the left wing’s terminology.

First of all, as I under- stand it, “assault weapon” is a military weapon, not a “military-style” weapon. “Military style” merely means that it only looks like a military weapon, not that it really is one. So, when the left uses the term “assault” with “military style,” it is essentially meaningless rhetoric, intended to scare viewers.

The key term here is “semi-automatic,” as opposed to “automatic.” Automatic weapons shoot multiple bullets with one squeeze of the trigger. Automatic weapons are military “assault” weapons designed to allow the “assault” on an enemy by spraying bullets as the soldier attacks. Since they are strictly for military use, they are already strictly restricted by law.

Semi-automatic weapons, on the other hand, are “defense” weapons. They shoot one bullet with one squeeze of the trigger. It is opposed to single-shot weapons, which require you to cock or load the weapon after one shot. Semi-automatic weapons are generally the weapon of choice of criminals and home invaders and are con- sequently the best defense against them. They are not assault weapons, but defense weapons that allow you to shoot without reloading or re-cocking, for repelling or stopping an assailant.

Thus, the AR-15 shoots one bullet with one squeeze of the trigger. It is a semiautomatic rifle that is cosmetically made up to look like an assault weapon, but it is not an assault weapon. So, know your gun terminology. Ray Bettys

Red Hill