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- Feb 13, 2005
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I have guns in my book. They are: Glock, AR-15 assault rifle, 12-guage shotgun. That's all the info that the reader gets, because that's all they need to visualize what's happening. It's not the only way I could have done it, but it does the job.
Now, if one of the protagonists (or antagonists) is a total gun nut who goes to bed with his guns, then you'll probably get more detail from him.
I suppose it depends on your audience. I'm more worried about the large number of readers who have no clue what an AR is. It's the readers you have to worry about.
And there is NO such thing as an AR-15 assault rifle. The "assault" part comes form people who know nothing at all about weapons. An "assault" rifle must have a selective fire switch, and an AR-15 does not.
I know you see the AR-15 called an assault rifle at many places that should know better, but it's no more an assault rifle that the Remington Model 750, or the Winchester Model 100. If the intended audience means those who know and use weapons, you'll lose a lot of readers over this.
And which Glock? Which 12. ga.? That's like saying your protagonist drives a Ford. This is fine, but which Ford? A car, a pickup, what?
Maybe it's because I know and use weapons, but as a reader, I need more info than just a Glock or a 12 .ga. I don't need you to tell me how to build one, but I at least need to know which Glock, and which 12 .ga, or I won't be able to visualize it.