As someone who is not too familiar with firearms just yet, having some misconceptions about them is bound to happen. Just like all new shooters, I will have to learn through research, gaining insight from others, and trial and error. But beware of where and how you get your information. So, to give you a leg up, let’s take a look at some common misconceptions about firearms.

3 Misconceptions About Firearms

In today’s world, we barely have time to comprehend the info and can easily be misled. With social media making an imprint on today’s society, it is always one thing to the next—a publicity stunt here, a political gain there.

If you are not careful, you can subject yourself to rumors that spread like wildfire. Social media is a place where you must tread softly about what to believe and always second-guess everything you see and hear.

Let’s set the facts straight and dive deeper into three common misconceptions about firearms that your average beginner should know.

1. The ‘W” Word

I am going to cut straight to the point and be completely honest when I say I have once called a firearm a weapon. Gasp! She said the dreaded “W” word.

Now, before you grab your pitchforks, I can reassure you I will never make that mistake again. It was a big lesson to learn, but I did not know any better. I had this misconception that a firearm was a weapon. And honestly? Why would I think any differently, based on my lack of knowledge?

I used to think of firearms as tools for self-defense only. Now, I have a wider understanding that they are more than tools. Guns are utilized for fun, sport, and as a hobby.

I now look at it like this: anything can have the potential to be a weapon. A weapon is a thing used to inflict bodily harm or physical damage. For example, a pencil can stab someone’s eye out. A chair can be thrown across the room at someone. A car can run someone over.

Does that necessarily mean a car itself is a weapon? No, but it can be a weapon if desired. Just like any random object, a gun can be used to shoot at someone to stop an assailant from causing bodily harm.

The firearm itself is not a weapon. A firearm is a firearm and should be called as such. It is important for beginners to know this and continue to educate people.

2. Scary Black Rifle

The AR-15 is always the talk of the town that is the center of much debate. One side says it is evil and dangerous and should be banned. Conversely, the opposing argument considers it America’s rifle and feels it is no more dangerous than the person wielding it.

The abbreviation of ‘AR’ throws people through a loop. It is commonly believed to stand for “Assault Rifle” (I can hear the groans from the gun community as we speak). The AR does not stand for “Assault Rifle.” Instead, it stands for “ArmaLite Rifle,” after the company that developed it—ArmaLite. Even I felt silly that I did not know this when I dove into my research.

I can see why people would think AR stands for assault rifle, which is an easy mistake. An “assault rifle” is a selective-fire, magazine-fed rifle designed for infantry use. With all the talk and recognition this gun receives, a tiny wrong detail throws a whole different narrative to this gun.

An AR-15 is a lightweight semi-automatic rifle. Understanding the difference between the two is important. Semi-automatic means that with each individual squeeze of the trigger, a single round is fired. Selective-fire rifles shoot either semi-automatic, short bursts, or fully automatic.

Misinformation can be dangerous, so it is important to get the facts correct. The name confusion coaxes people to believe this is a gun used as a weapon of war. I can only hope there will be a day when the AR-15 will be able to take a well-deserved break from being misunderstood and instead be praised for being one of America’s most beloved guns.

3. Gun Buying Bureaucracy

When I researched firearms deeper, I quickly learned that some firearms are easier to purchase than others. Personally, I failed to realize that there would be a different process to obtain different types of guns. I thought it was the same process across the board.

A major question I had was, can a civilian purchase semi-automatic and automatic guns? The answer is yes for both. Each state is different regarding its gun laws. So, it is important you research the laws in your own state if you are thinking about owning a gun. Remember, owning a gun is more than just a privilege, it is a responsibility.

Out of the two, semi-automatics are easier to purchase than fully automatic firearms and vary from state to state. States such as Illinois, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts have stricter gun laws than most. But states like Alaska, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Wyoming have more lenient gun laws.

Many states will require a background check, a state check, and a federal check. Some states, such as California and Florida, require a waiting period before the gun is purchased, ranging from 3 to 14 days. If the buyer has no criminal record and is not determined to be prohibited from owning firearms, purchasing a semi-automatic rifle can be a hassle-free task.

Buying an Automatic Firearm

However, purchasing an automatic firearm is not as simple as buying a semi-automatic. First, you need to determine whether automatic guns are legal in your state. Some states have a big “No Fun Allowed” rule. A Google search will help with this.

If your state allows the purchase of an automatic firearm, you have more hoops to jump through. And it cannot be just any automatic gun.

The automatic firearm must be registered and made before May 19, 1986. They do not make it easy, huh? Well, you better buckle up and hold on tight because the process does not stop there.

You must fit all the requirements to own an automatic firearm. I imagine it like an adoption process. They want to find the perfect fit for each gun. Cute, right?

If you are not classified as a prohibited person, are over the age of 21, a legal resident of the United States, pass a background check that takes on average 8 to 10 months to process, and pay a one-time $200 tax fee, an automatic gun can be yours to own. Easy enough, right?

Did I mention purchasing an automatic firearm might as well be an investment, considering the price you will pay for one? The pre-1986 mandate shrinks the available market, and many of those full-auto guns sit in collectors’ safes to never be put on the market. This combo creates a tremendous discrepancy between supply and demand and, in turn, drives prices through the roof. 

Seriously, you could put a down payment on a house with the prices you can pay for these guns. However, although they are expensive and involve a time-consuming process, owning an automatic firearm is possible.

Stopping The Spread

False information will always spread. Misconceptions will happen, and unfortunately, I do not think it will ever stop. I have only chosen a handful of misconceptions to talk about, but more are out there. The gun industry is not something that everyone is open about. There are Americans who do not want to celebrate the beauty of the Second Amendment.

I grew up with a family that was adamant about the Second Amendment, and I remember when my mother became obsessed with the Constitution. This America-loving woman would keep a little book of the Constitution tucked away in her purse for quick reference.

I remember we were out for lunch one day, and I asked her a question about one of the amendments. She whipped out her little book with pride, flipping through the pages with glee as the face of George Washington on the cover bore into my eyes.

It is something I thought was so silly at the time, but now, I look back and see it as admirable. Being excited to learn about why America is such a blessed place to live in and having the devotion to teaching others about it is a passion that every gun-loving American should have.

People will believe and say what they want. All you can do is continue to spread the truth. The media will always try to frame the gun industry in a negative light. However, the love and determination of the gun industry will outweigh any misconceptions spread.

I urge everyone to keep educating themselves and teaching others because the truth will always come to light, no matter how dark the false misinformation may feel.