If we have a policy that proscribes sexualizing someone’s policy preferences (i.e. “you probably jerk off to this”), then doesn’t this apply to “ammosexual”?
It seems like a reasonable interpretation of rules, and nothing whatsoever of value is lost in doing so.
I notice you edited out the rest of my paragraph:
Even if we were to stipulate the moot point that this kind of satire is really sexualizing someone’s beliefs, my understanding was that this proscription applies only when directed toward other specific Dopers.
If your point is that this is inappropriate in a breaking new topic, then that should be your point, not an “at any rate” qualifier to a much broader proscription. I didn’t quote your qualifier because I don’t disagree with that part, or at least I don’t hold a strong opinion on the matter.
No public figures were mocked.
Sure, but I thought this discussion had moved on from the specific moderation here to the broader issue of what’s allowed. Mockery or satire can be directed at
Not quite. It is more like a feeling one gets that is roughly analogous to sexual arousal. The feeling you get from seeing/encountering a person the you find sexually attractive compares to the feeling an ammosexual would get from seeing/handling a fine weapon. It really has nothing to do with using the gun for a sex toy or jerking off to it, just that it reaches a person on a level parallel to sexuality.
The biggest problem with the term is that it leads down the road to othering, which is mostly a thing we try to avoid here. Even in the Pit, we try to keep othering to at least a dull roar, but outside the Pit, broad-brushing people should be expected to rise to the note/warning level because it badly grots up the conversation.
A person can, for example, call a car “sexy” without literally wanting to have sex with it.
just exactly that
But that doesn’t make us call them a “motorsexual”, does it? Where’s Jeremy Clarkson when you need him…
(Though people will do the “penis substitute” gag for owners of some flashy cars…)
So, I’m not sure what you are looking for.
I think that there are a great many conversations, not just “breaking news”, where you are poisoning the well and creating something that can’t rise above “rant” if you start by insulting people. I think everyone has agreed that “ammosexual” is insulting, and is intended to be insulting. I’m not saying that it’s never appropriate to use the word. I’m not claiming that there couldn’t be any MPSIMS threads where it might be appropriate (none come to mind, but I haven’t tried very hard.) I am claiming that using it is a bad idea in a lot of types of conversations. So yeah, I think you should avoid it more broadly than just “breaking news” threads.
I am also confirming that there isn’t a board-wide ban on the word itself. Nor on insulting people who like guns.
I think if such a term existed (and I kind of dig it), I think it could apply to some people who just go crazy over cars.
Perhaps a great example. 
Or Jay Leno.
Like this guy?
A bit too literal, hehe. 