[Tagging] shop=gun shop=guns shop=weapons shop=firearms

[stevea]

Minh and I are in the same jurisdiction (California) regarding guns, but I agree with Graeme that we want to be careful with our terminology here.  Minh says "A gun store specializes in firearms and ammo..." whereas I'm pretty sure most people (who use guns) would say "A gun store specializes in guns and ammo...".

The word "firearm" and especially "weapon" are not synonyms for "gun."  (Especially "weapon," a widely-encompassing term).  "Firearm" has legal connotations (hence the mention of jurisdiction, and in the USA, the word "firearm" is most certainly laden with legal connotation, as in the name of the federal agency "Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives").  "Firearm" is specifically defined in 18 U.S. Code § 921, for example, and can include things like a starter pistol, because it "may readily be converted to expel a projectile" (even though it wasn't designed to).

I'm likely quibbling here, but while these distinctions are subtle, they are real.  I think if OSM means "gun," we should say (tag, denote, document...) "gun."

I don't wish to get too USA-specific or even too political, but there are also "gun shows" which are ad hoc and/or semi-regular gatherings of People (see, that word is capitalized to mean something specific, and not just 18th-century anachronism, but as a 21st-century "proclamation of our unity") where guns are sold, with what some consider to be "looser" legal requirements (the so-called "private sale exemption" which precludes a background check of the buyer).  I don't wish to get in any trouble for saying that.  Our constitution was written to empower "the People," which our government was formed to serve.

In short, if you mean "gun," say "gun."  "Firearm" is more formal and a somewhat legalese term which isn't really in the vernacular (and I've even heard pushback when it is used improperly), at least in US English.  I don't mean to be issuing that very pushback here and now (even if I am), I'm calling attention to the usage of language for the benefit of OSM tagging.


> On Jun 19, 2023, at 5:18 PM, Minh Nguyen <minh at nguyen.cincinnati.oh.us> wrote:
> 
> Vào lúc 16:26 2023-06-19, Greg Troxel đã viết:
>> Graeme Fitzpatrick <graemefitz1 at gmail.com> writes:
>>>> As possible solution, *shop=weapon*
>>> 
>>> Sorry, but speaking as a recreational shooter, & on behalf of all others,
>>> we find the use of the term "weapons" for our chosen sporting tools more
>>> than somewhat offensive - recreational shooters don't use weapons, the
>>> military does!
>> In the US, even in Massachusetts, usage is "gun store" (store US vs shop
>> UK, as usual) if being casual, and "firearms" if being formal.  I have
>> never heard any (civilian) store be desribed as a "weapons store".
>> That's a word I heard only in the context of defense contractors and
>> usually foreign military sales.
> 
> A gun store specializes in firearms and ammo, typically for recreation or self-defense. By contrast, a shop=sports sport=shooting;hunting;paintball would probably carry clothing and other gear, but wouldn't necessarily carry firearms.
> 
> "Weapons store" sounds to me like a military surplus store, which might sell firearms (and knives), but we already have shop=military_surplus for this kind of store.