The AP Stylebook is meant for Associated Press reporters to consult on different topics that may come up in their reporting. For example, in 2013, the AP Stylebook dropped the words “illegal immigrant” from usage. In 2020, the Stylebook explained why the decision to use lowercase for “white” was “more complicated” than the choice to capitalize “Black.” Most recently, the Stylebook reminded reporters not to refer to the Buffalo mass shooter’s manifesto as a manifesto.
But we come today to praise the AP Stylebook, which is finally giving reporters guidance on guns. A rifle that fires one bullet each time the trigger is pulled is a “semi-automatic rifle.” The Stylebook says to avoid “assault weapon,” which is a politicized term that conveys “little meaning about the actual function of the weapon.”
It’s a miracle!
The Stylebook's weapons entry offers guidance on terms including semi-automatic rifle, assault rifle, assault weapon, military-style rifle and modern sporting rifle. pic.twitter.com/RvNrZp1lu2
— APStylebook (@APStylebook) July 13, 2022
Holy crap. Is the world ending? AP is actually doing something based on *actual* firearms knowledge, not emotion.
Bet propagandists in the media continue to use their made up terms to push their gun control narrative.
— Beth Baumann (@eb454) July 15, 2022
Democrats will still call the AR-15 a “weapon of war.”
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
— Yvan Rejean Pontino (@FFG154) July 14, 2022
Have you changed the guide entry on "assault-style weapon" to reflect this new tip?
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) July 14, 2022
Do you now recommend print reporters put the term "assault weapon" or "assault rifle" in quotation marks inside quotes from political figures?
Example: "'Assault weapons' need to be banned," said Pres. Biden at the White House on Monday.
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) July 14, 2022
Recommended
Good point.
As a writer, based.
— Animay's Courier76 (@ACourier76) July 14, 2022
Credit where it's due, despite the many previous mishaps. This is a good standard, and helps ensure clarity in the pieces that come out.
— Aphasialista (@Aphasialista) July 14, 2022
So "assault rifle" and "assault weapon" is nothing more than a polemic.
I'll take it a little further. It's nothing more than a means to an end to create an armed elite populace and second class, legislatively unqualified and unarmed citizen.
— Bones Ely (@S4RG3) July 14, 2022
Now if only journalists followed this guidance…
— Boss Chonk, Hunter of Dogmen (@bosschonk) July 14, 2022
I almost can't believe this… they're attempting to be very accurate.
— Robert Harris (@RobertBrandonH) July 16, 2022
This actually makes sense for a change.
— Free At Last (@THATCH_ARISES) July 14, 2022
Wonders never cease. Better late than never.
— Mayer Fertig (@MayerFertig) July 14, 2022
What is a woman? If you can’t answer that then you’re not qualified to tell us what a gun is. 👌🏻
— Jerry Mander (@electionsRfake) July 14, 2022
We’re technically supposed to follow the AP Stylebook here at Twitchy, but we’re not above slipping “illegal immigrant” into a story about illegal immigrants.
Related:
Veteran shows the button that turns your AR-15 from regular semi-automatic to ‘overlapping auto’ https://t.co/uyCZD1jaf8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 9, 2022
Join the conversation as a VIP Member