AP Stylebook actually gets it right for once with its guidance on 'assault weapons'

Brett T. | 3:25 PM on July 16, 2022

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