Words apparently mean nothing anymore, especially when it comes to the continuing debate on guns, gun control, school safety, and everything else that has come up over the last two weeks. Both media and politicians are perfectly content to invent their own new gun terms, even though no one knows what the hell they are talking about. It sounds GREAT in their heads!

Here are just three horrific examples of word salad that is meant to make the speaker sound “important” and “knowledgeable.” In reality, they just sound incredibly stupid.

1) “Full semi-automatic”
The worst part about this one? The person who said it was a retired lieutenant general.

https://twitter.com/StephenGutowski/status/968306842630836224

The range segment where that phrase was used was actually ok but it didn't actually compare the AR-15 to the M-4 since they never show the M-4 fired on full auto. Could've been far more informative than it was.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) February 27, 2018

Why don’t I have one.

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 27, 2018

The weirdest part was that it was a former military guy who was seemingly against banning ARs. He fired off a few shots in slow succession then said he was going "full semi-automatic" and starting firing off individual shots more quickly. Such a weird thing.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) February 27, 2018

If words mean things, how do you go FULL semi-anything??? Come ON. Maybe I don’t expect a retired Army officer to be the most precise person with the English language, but journalists are supposed to try and be specific with their word usage. Unless, of course, the story was put together with a narrative instead of honesty.

I don't think accuracy is really a concern at the moment.

— Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) February 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/ttsocb5/status/968307806448373762
But the general has an explanation!

For all those critiquing my phrase “full semi automatic,” you are correct. I was attempting to inform the crew that I was going from “single shot” to continuous trigger and rapid trigger pull using the semiautomatic capability. My apologies…but perhaps you’re missing the point.

— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) February 27, 2018

There is no 'going from "single shot" to continuous trigger & rapid trigger pull using the semiautomatic capability' All you did was pull the trigger faster & looked all Hollywood.There's no switch 2 turn other than Safe to Semi…and That's why NCOs are in charge of training.

— Opps I did it again (@BigDaddyE68) February 27, 2018

So you were going from single shot to single shot…got it. Thank you for your service, but I’m glad you’re no longer protecting us. I prefer to have a military person that knows how to handle a rifle.

— David L Warner (@DavidLWarnerVA) March 1, 2018

Totally unsat, General. Your use of that incredibly misleading term only fuels the liberals attempts to infringe upon our rights. What the hell were you thinking? We're not missing the point, you are! For shame.

— Joe Mama (@JoeWhiskey273) February 27, 2018

Yeah, that wasn’t even a good attempt at an explanation.

1. All guns are loud
2. There is no such thing as full semi-automatic he should be a part of the @migos making up words like that.
3. The gun doesn’t kick that hard this Guy is just super saiyan beta.
4. Every gun is design to inflict
5. JUST THROW THE WHOLE @CNN AWAY pic.twitter.com/27iZnJeVAE

— Colion Noir (@MrColionNoir) February 27, 2018

Ahh yes so much kick pic.twitter.com/giAMl69oU4

— Austin (@therealFJ) February 27, 2018

2) “High-capacity, rapid-fire magazines”
God help us, Debbie Wasserman Schultz opened her mouth again.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz on CNN talking about banning "high-capacity, rapid-fire magazines" right now.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) March 1, 2018

In case this isn't clear, there's no such thing as a "rapid-fire magazine." The magazine has no affect on the rate of fire.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) March 1, 2018

Is this an option for the “fully semi automatic” @CNN was demonstrating the other day?

— Andrews Dad (@Andrew_Dad) March 1, 2018

And if that's not scary sounding enough wait until she mentions the nuclear-powered chainsaw bayonet attachment! https://t.co/xpKgbYFSZm

— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) March 1, 2018

I love “liberals talk guns” twitter. https://t.co/yTNL64hkbK

— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) March 1, 2018

My mom had a rapid fire magazine

That mf'er would sting when smacked upside your head.

— On Your Feet Or On Your Knees (@andygtants) March 1, 2018

I was shot by a magazine once. It was Popular Science. Luckily as a bundle of paper it could only hold a small caliber weapon and I recovered quickly.

— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) March 1, 2018

At this point I just assume they’re much more concerned with finding catchy terminology rather than technical accuracy.

— Run the Joules (@Twonius) March 1, 2018

We all know that Debbie isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. There’s no real news here, and CNN has no interest in correcting her.

And there's the solution! Let the Dems write up a ban using all their silly words. The law will ban nothing that actually exists in real life,but everyone will shut up. I say, ban all hyper automatic high capacity soft shell jacketed gunthings!!!!!!!!!

— Peter Van Buren (@WeMeantWell) March 1, 2018

3) “Gas-assisted receiver firearms”
I got nothing, people.

Senator Martin Heinrich (D., NM) just said on MSNBC he wants to ban anyone under 21 from owning "gas-assisted receiver firearms."

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) March 1, 2018

Your guess is as good as mine on that one…

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) March 1, 2018

I think he was just randomly combining firearms terms. A firearm receiver is a thing. Gas-operated autoloaders are a thing. A "gas-assisted receiver firearm" is not a thing.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) March 1, 2018

Today’s winner is clearly Senator Heinrich. Let’s give him that gas-powered gun salute!

Twitter was trying to figure out what he could have meant.
https://twitter.com/mattdizwhitlock/status/969278190635057153

Please nobody tell him about laser tag.

— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) March 1, 2018

Or Nerf guns and Super Soakers.

— Alt Right Steve Austin (@steveaustinNRA) March 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/TheRightWingM/status/969281145841078278
I give up.

If anyone else has found a gem of a mangled mad-libs style gun description, let me know. We could all use a laugh – or a cry.