The proper term is 'Silencer', not 'Suppressor'

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IT is really irrelevant which term you use. They are synonymous to almost anyone who is anti-gun or in the middle. I am not sure that is true of suppressor and silencer. Most people have an image from a movie that is conjured when they hear "silencer." Most people probably have no idea what a "suppressor" is without clarification.
 
BigG posted:
Assault Rifle (not weapon) is an actual term that derives from Sturmgewehr, the German term for it's WWII assault rifles.
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None of us are referring to assault rifles; I'm pretty sure we all know what those are. What we're referring to is the made-up political term "assault weapon".
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I just appreciate correct terminology. Ask if I give a flip what a politically correct hack terms something.
 
BigG posted:
I just appreciate correct terminology. Ask if I give a flip what a politically correct hack terms something.
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Ok, now I'm just confused. Are you saying Tony was using incorrect terminology? Or were you discussing the history of the term "assault rifle" even though we aren't discussing assault rifles in this thread?
 
Doggone it, whatever I call something is the right, correct, and only allowable term for I am never wrong. And that's it!

Jim :rolleyes:
 
I thought that the mention of assault rifles/assault weapons was brought up to show a comparison, and the differences between how terms are used in conversation, and in law, and how either one can be correct or incorrect, depending on the item under discussion, and the context.

Silencer is what the inventor called it for marketing. Silencer is what the govt called it in law. Supressor is what it is, and what it does. How could one be wrong, and not the other?

I never heard the term suppressor until the late 60s or early 70s, and then it was only in connection with rifles. I think that the term got popular because of people pointing out that you cannot "slience" a supersonic bullet, you can only "suppress" the muzzle blast.

want an easy rule of thumb? Call them Silencers for subsonic rounds, and suppressors for supersonic rounds. How is that not a win/win?

And, btw, any clerk that deigns to kick me out of his shop because he knows more than I do (about anything) may know a lot about something, but doesn't know anything about business. Cause he just lost mine, and everyone I can influence.
 
Yes, I do believe we should "think" a little bit and beyond what happened 100yrs ago. Maxim was free to call it whatever he wanted. Want to see some real marketing fluff, look at some of the old ads for Herter's revolvers. Fact remains, they do not "silence" anything and it's a common misconception among the unwashed masses that they do. It also contributes to the Hollywood-induced myth that they're a tool of the assassin. All of which makes it nearly impossible to get the NFA repealed. What it does is that it suppresses the sound produced. In Europe, they're called "moderators", which is also infinitely more accurate than "silencer". They're also sold without ANY special licensing whatsoever. My point was that governments, politicians and lawyers do and say stupid things and don't always have the interests of the people or their freedom at heart. I don't know why we would lend any credibility to anything they do without engaging our own brains first.


And, btw, any clerk that deigns to kick me out of his shop because he knows more than I do (about anything) may know a lot about something, but doesn't know anything about business. Cause he just lost mine, and everyone I can influence.
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That was in reference to something completely different. He butted into a conversation between the clerk and another customer. Yes, if a know-it-all patron butted into a conversation between myself and another customer because he disagreed with what was being suggested, he would probably not like the result. Has nothing to do with anyone knowing more than anyone else and everything to do with manners and common courtesy.
 
Yes, I do believe we should "think" a little bit and beyond what happened 100yrs ago. Maxim was free to call it whatever he wanted. Want to see some real marketing fluff, look at some of the old ads for Herter's revolvers. Fact remains, they do not "silence" anything and it's a common misconception among the unwashed masses that they do. It also contributes to the Hollywood-induced myth that they're a tool of the assassin. All of which makes it nearly impossible to get the NFA repealed. What it does is that it suppresses the sound produced. In Europe, they're called "moderators", which is also infinitely more accurate than "silencer". They're also sold without ANY special licensing whatsoever. My point was that governments, politicians and lawyers do and say stupid things and don't always have the interests of the people or their freedom at heart. I don't know why we would lend any credibility to anything they do without engaging our own brains first.
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Completely agree, the restriction/tax on suppressors is one of the silliest firearms-related regulations out there and referring to them as silencers only helps perpetuate the problem.
 
In Europe, they're called "moderators", which is also infinitely more accurate than "silencer". They're also sold without ANY special licensing whatsoever.
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Europe is a rather broad term. It is not all one country yet. Laws vary. Below is from Wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt.

Civilian possession/use prohibited

Austria
Hungary
Netherlands – air guns only
Romania
Russia – prohibited but no penalty
Turkey


Highly restricted

Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany


License/permit required

Finland – permit required
Sweden – license normally granted
United Kingdom – license required but normally issued


Little or no regulation

Italy – not allowed for hunting
Norway
Poland – regulated but laws lightly enforced

Give me the laws in the USA over those in Europe anyday. :)
 
Lark said:
Give me the laws in the USA over those in Europe anyday.
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The USA is rather a broad term.;)

Some states, all NFA items are for all intents and purposes completely banned. Others, they're completely unregulated except federal law.
 
Some of those laws are changing. I have a meeting with a committee chairman this weekend. I'm confident that we can convince him to allow our SBR bill a chance at a hearing next session.
 
If I'm waiting for help and the store clerk is chit chatting with another customer I reserve the right to enter the conversation. It isn't the clerks living room.

Of course, I don't shop at the local stores much anymore.
 
If I'm waiting for help and the store clerk is chit chatting with another customer I reserve the right to enter the conversation. It isn't the clerks living room.
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They weren't chit-chatting and he didn't "enter the conversation". The clerk was advising the customer on what handgun to purchase and the "gentleman" above decided he didn't like what was being said and interjected strictly to argue with the clerk's recommendation. The customer left.
 
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