General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A very simple poll on gun control. [View all]spin
(17,493 posts)terminology is important for any productive discussion.
It's difficult to have a good debate on the economy with a person who doesn't know the difference between the debt and the deficit and mixes up the two terms. It's frustrating to discuss computers with a person who doesn't know the difference between a lap top and a desk top.
Now I realize that the gun control side of the debate will gain a lot of supporters by stating that the average citizen can walk into a Wal-Mart and buy a fully automatic weapon. It's helps their cause to say that semi-auto "black rifles"are never used by hunters.
If the gun control side has a strong case it should be willing to use the proper terminology and not distort facts. I believe that if I wished I could argue for draconian gun control more effectively than most who support it and use the correct terminology and stick to facts and statistics without distorting them.
Of course to be fair the pro-RKBA side often uses dishonest tactics as well. To claim that all politicians who wish to reinstate another assault weapons ban are gun grabbers is false. Some are but most are looking for a solution to the problem of gun violence and mass murder in our nation.
It is also discouraging to see how easily the gun control side of the debate dismisses valid arguments as "NRA talking points."