# the EVIL 9mm!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 17, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419 "2007-04-17T02:50:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/1 "2007-04-17T02:50:59Z")
CNN is running a segment right now talking about the evils of the “9mm handgun”. A standard police and military weapon, which can fire as fast as you can pull the trigger!!! Oh noes!! How did this weapon of mass destruction get into the hands of a killer?? Please. Give me a break. If you want to argue in favor of gun control, at least try and do it using logic and reason, and not vague insinuations. ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/2 "2007-04-17T02:53:49Z")
the media has been retarded, IMO, on 90% of the things that they talked about today, the press conferences were attempts at circuses well handled by the people in charge. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/3 "2007-04-17T02:54:55Z")
[QUOTE=enigm4tic] the media has been retarded, IMO, on 90% of the things that they talked about today, the press conferences were attempts at circuses well handled by the people in charge. [/QUOTE] I agree. Most of the reporters I’ve seen and heard on TV today, including at the PCs did not conduct themselves well. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/4 "2007-04-17T03:01:23Z")
By the way, in all their hysterical reporting, they are confusing me when they talk about “rounds”. I can’t tell if they mean a clip or a bullet. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_Salmond\_MD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Ronald\_Salmond\_MD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_Salmond_MD)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/5 "2007-04-17T03:02:33Z")
CynicalGabe wrote: > [@](#): > > the EVIL 9mm!!! > > * * * > > CNN is running a segment right now talking about the evils of the “9mm handgun”. A standard police and military weapon, which can fire as fast as you can pull the trigger!!! Oh noes!! > > How did this weapon of mass destruction get into the hands of a killer?? > > Please. Give me a break. If you want to argue in favor of gun control, at least try and do it using logic and reason, and not vague insinuations. You are absolutely right. This guy could have gone in there with a vintage single action revolver ,without a speed loader, and exacted the same carnage in the same time. I’ll be interested in the forensic ballistics to know how many rounds he actually expended for the carnage he reeked. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/6 "2007-04-17T03:05:06Z")
One round is one bullet. A magazine (often incorrectly referred to as a clip) is the device that holds the ammunition in the firearm. Sometimes, this magazine is easily removable, in which case it is a detachable magazine, such as with semi-automatic pistols. A clip is the small object that holds the rounds together and is used for more easily loading the magazine. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/7 "2007-04-17T03:07:51Z")
[QUOTE=Swallowed My Cellphone] By the way, in all their hysterical reporting, they are confusing me when they talk about “rounds”. I can’t tell if they mean a clip or a bullet. [/QUOTE] When a reporter says that the gunman ‘discharged a full round’, that’s a special code, meaning ‘I am an idiot’. There are other such codes, all of which mean the same thing. I heard a _lot_ of them today. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/8 "2007-04-17T03:12:58Z")
[QUOTE=Ronald Salmond, MD] CynicalGabe wrote: You are absolutely right. This guy could have gone in there with a vintage single action revolver ,without a speed loader, and exacted the same carnage in the same time. I’ll be interested in the forensic ballistics to know how many rounds he actually expended for the carnage he reeked. [/QUOTE] Given that semi-automatic handguns of the same style and capability as modern 9mm weapons are close to 100 years old, and the 9mm Parabellum cartridge is about 90 or so years old, it’s probably fair to call the 9mm “vintage” as well. [QUOTE=Squink] When a reporter says that the gunman ‘discharged a full round’, that’s a special code, meaning ‘I am an idiot’. There are other such codes, all of which mean the same thing. I heard a lot of them today. [/QUOTE] It’s tempting to think that it’s either 1) media bias, or 2) a scary statement of how disconnected from reality the average journalist is, but I think the true answer is 3) the average journalist seems to be somewhat disconnected from the _technical and mechanical_ world in which they live. I base my belief in option 3 on the large number of times I’ve been misquoted in the press, or when things I’ve written have been mis-reported, even after multiple revisions and corrections before the article runs. I’d give some hilarious examples…no, actually, I won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/9 "2007-04-17T03:51:34Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] It’s tempting to think that it’s either 1) media bias, or 2) a scary statement of how disconnected from reality the average journalist is, but I think the true answer is 3) the average journalist seems to be somewhat disconnected from the _technical and mechanical_ world in which they live. I base my belief in option 3 on the large number of times I’ve been misquoted in the press, or when things I’ve written have been mis-reported, even after multiple revisions and corrections before the article runs. I’d give some hilarious examples…no, actually, I won’t. [/QUOTE] FWIW, I think you’re right, with a healthy dose of option 4) while any individual journalist may or may not be full of integrity, the news industry is in the business of selling news, which means they repeat scarry, misinformed nonsense ad nauseum, and then get various “experts” to do the same over the next few weeks. To jump on my own little horse here, I find it pathetic and disgusting that events which can easily be dealt with fairly and in depth in the space of one newspaper article (with occasional follow-ups as necessary) can hijack the airwaves for days on end. And I’m not sure who to blame for it, the media or the saps who swallow what they’re fed. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/10 "2007-04-17T03:56:03Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] When a reporter says that the gunman ‘discharged a full round’, that’s a special code, meaning ‘I am an idiot’. There are other such codes, all of which mean the same thing. I heard a _lot_ of them today. [/QUOTE] Well at least they didn’t say that he discharged half a round. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/11 "2007-04-17T04:16:26Z")
[QUOTE=CynicalGabe] CNN is running a segment right now talking about the evils of the “9mm handgun”. [/QUOTE] Hey, I’ve been saying this for years! The 9mm should be limited to collectors of WWII memorabilia. There’s just no rational reason for anyone to have one of those things. Now, a .45 on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/12 "2007-04-17T04:20:03Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] Hey, I’ve been saying this for years! The 9mm should be limited to collectors of WWII memorabilia. There’s just no rational reason for anyone to have one of those things. Now, a .45 on the other hand… [/QUOTE] 😃 I’m going to use that line from now on. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/13 "2007-04-17T04:55:00Z")
[QUOTE=Ronald Salmond, MD] You are absolutely right. This guy could have gone in there with a vintage single action revolver ,without a speed loader, and exacted the same carnage in the same time. I’ll be interested in the forensic ballistics to know how many rounds he actually expended for the carnage he reeked. [/QUOTE] Carnage only reeks after a few days in warm climates. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/14 "2007-04-17T05:04:09Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Carnage only reeks after a few days in warm climates. [/QUOTE] Thanks for that, **dances**. At least I didn’t have to get tagged with the “grammar Nazi” thing _ **this** _ time. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/15 "2007-04-17T05:07:09Z")
Actually, I wouldn’t care if he used a zip gun. I just don’t understand why the asshole didn’t just shoot himself _ **first!** _ ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/16 "2007-04-17T05:25:28Z")
Of course the 9mm is evil, it’s metric! The classic moral calibers are the .0211111111 cubit, the .025 cubit, and the .0244444444 cubit magnum[\*\*\*\*\*](http://www.google.com/search?num=100&complete=1&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=.44+inches+to+cubits). > [@](#): > > I know what you’re thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .0244444444 cubit magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself a question: Did I get the right number of fours? Well, did I, punk? CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/17 "2007-04-17T06:14:50Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] When a reporter says that the gunman ‘discharged a full round’, that’s a special code, meaning ‘I am an idiot’. There are other such codes, all of which mean the same thing. I heard a _lot_ of them today. [/QUOTE] Much like the [FBI](http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/killed/2005/killedsummaries.htm). “_Another round of bullets struck the deputy in the front of the head, fatally wounding him_.” ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/18 "2007-04-17T06:54:47Z")
[QUOTE=DMC] Much like the [FBI](http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/killed/2005/killedsummaries.htm). “_Another round of bullets struck the deputy in the front of the head, fatally wounding him_.” [/QUOTE] To be fair they only mis-used that once, and only sort of, since a “round of bullets” is probably, while technically inaccurate better than simply “a full round” or something of that nature, it could easily have been an editing mistake too. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/19 "2007-04-17T07:34:42Z")
[QUOTE=enigm4tic] To be fair they only mis-used that once,… [/QUOTE] How many times did that reporter misuse it? > [@](#): > > …and only sort of, since a “round of bullets” is probably, while technically inaccurate better than simply “a full round” or something of that nature, it could easily have been an editing mistake too. I don’t see that at all. Feel free to point out to me why “round of bullets” is in any way more accurate than “full round.” Both treat a “round” as multiple bullets. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_Salmond\_MD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Ronald\_Salmond\_MD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_Salmond_MD)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2007, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419/20 "2007-04-17T07:48:47Z")
Danceswithcats, Thanks for the correction. :smack: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evil-9mm/400419.md?page=2)