Why the term shotgun? (bright light!)

[Fastattack]

At this point, what difference does it make?

[NoHeavyHitter]

It really doesn't matter *what kind* of gun it is - they will still want to ban it...

[CALI-gula]

But a handgun doesn't shoot hands, should it be called a bullet gun?

Of course they do:



.

[bigbearbear]

For a nice history on shotguns, watch this documentary "Tales of the Gun" from History channel, episode that focuses on shotguns:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa1r4Jt2dG8

[003]

A cannonball is propelled or shot from a cannon but we don't call the cannon a shotgun. However, a slug or shotshell load is propelled or shot from a shotgun but we call the long barrel gun a shotgun. If a long barrel gun is loaded with shotshells then it should be called a shotgun. If a long barrel gun is loaded with slugs it should be called a sluggun. Since a long barrel gun can propel both slugs and shotshells, shouldn't we just call it a "sloughtgun". If you are loading your long barrel gun with cocktail loads, combination shotshells and slugs, you definitely are using a "sloughtgun". Agreed?

OP:

You clearly have too much time on your hands!

I suggest you take up a productive hobby. Perhaps spend some time on a skeet or trap range.

[shellslinger]

I'm not saying it's aliens but it's aliens

[langss]

I used to think that people using "shotty" or "gauge" were just about as dumb as it was possible to be.

I was wrong.

+1.....No Brain.....No Headache.....

[DRoberts12345]

A cannonball is propelled or shot from a cannon but we don't call the cannon a shotgun. However, a slug or shotshell load is propelled or shot from a shotgun but we call the long barrel gun a shotgun. If a long barrel gun is loaded with shotshells then it should be called a shotgun. If a long barrel gun is loaded with slugs it should be called a sluggun. Since a long barrel gun can propel both slugs and shotshells, shouldn't we just call it a "sloughtgun". If you are loading your long barrel gun with cocktail loads, combination shotshells and slugs, you definitely are using a "sloughtgun". Agreed?

You know if you were to think that much at work you would be making twice your income.

[Michael777]

Cannons didn't always necessarily shoot balls. Many times they were loaded with grapeshot, stones, glass and nails for anti personnel.

[71MUSTY]

Dude

Put the pipe down.

[GW]

Really dude, go get a job.
It will be a more productive use of your time.