9 Commonly Misused Gun Terms 9 Commonly Misused Gun Terms When it comes to guns and gun accessories, there's no shortage of misused terminology in the firearm industry. November 21, 2016 By Kyle Wintersteen Sometimes the error is committed innocently, a simple mistake owing to the shooter's ignorance. A common example is the interchangeable use of "clip" and "magazine." However, other misused terms are more harmful. They aren't just inaccurate; their frequent use can negatively affect the public perception of firearms. Referring to a semi-automatic carbine as an "assault rifle" (a term that implies a fully automatic action designed for purely offensive purposes) is the biggest offender. More on that later.