Hoplophobia

Hoplophobia (pronounced /ˌhɒplɵˈfoʊbiə/), from the Greek hoplon, or weapon, is defined as the "fear of firearms"^[1] or alternatively, an irrational fear of weapons in general, and describes a specific phobia.

Political usage

Firearms instructor Colonel Jeff Cooper coined the word in 1962 to describe a "mental disturbance characterized by irrational aversion to weapons".^[2] Cooper employed the term as an alternative to slang terms, stating: "We read of 'gun grabbers' and 'anti-gun nuts' but these slang terms do not (explain this behavior)." Cooper attributed this behavior to an irrational fear of firearms and other forms of weaponry. He stated that "the most common manifestation of hoplophobia is the idea that instruments possess a will of their own, apart from that of their user."

Clinical usage

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In spite of the political origins and connotation of the term, it has clinical usage, and a patient may be diagnosed with this phobia. For instance, a patient that has no opinion on law or public policy per se but becomes terrified upon noticing a policeman's sidearm, or a photograph of a rifle or knife, may be a hoplophobe. Such a phobia may be present in someone who suffers from PTSD as a result of a traumatic experience involving a firearm. Hoplophobia is described as an uncommon phobia in Contemporary Diagnosis And Management of Anxiety Disorders.^{[Need quotation on talk to verify][3]}

Hoplophilia

Some admirers of Cooper's coinage have sought to popularize the counterpart terminology, hoplophilia for an affection towards guns. ^[4]

Notes and references

External links

• Gun-rights group touts new 'word', Dennis Romboy, Deseret Morning News, December 29, 2003