7 Gun Myths Busted

As gun ownership has become a controversial and highly politicized topic over the years, misinformation continues to run rampant. We're setting the record straight on seven common myths about guns.

1. Suppressors Make All Guns Whisper-Quiet

Thanks to Hollywood, most people who have never shot with a suppressor are convinced it renders gunfire silent. We’ve all seen a movie or two where the bad guy walks into a room, fires a single shot that nobody hears, and backs out quietly.

mounting suppressor on rifle — Suppressors make shooting quieter, which is great for protecting your hearing and that of everyone around you, but most guns aren't movie-quiet when suppressed. (Photo: Jeff Wood/Guns.com)

The name “silencer” may be misleading, but the truth is that suppressors are designed to reduce gunfire noise by approximately 30-40 decibels, rather than eliminate it entirely. A suppressor's job is to protect your hearing, but most of the time, gunshots are still loud enough to require the use of hearing protection.

2. Shotguns Don’t Need to Be Aimed

A common misconception about shotguns is that they don’t require aiming. Many will say, "Point it in the general direction of the bad guy, and you’re sure to hit them."

zombie targets — Even if you're just shooting zombies, you still need to aim that shotgun to be effective. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)

Nothing could be further from the truth. A shotgun, like any other firearm, requires proper aim at both long and close ranges. A shotgun may indeed give a little more leeway with its projectile pattern, but it’s less than you think. In a defensive situation, it’s crucial to aim a shotgun as you would any other firearm.

3. Racking a Shotgun Will Scare Intruders Away

Another shotgun myth is that by simply racking one, you’ll scare an intruder away. Again, you can picture a scene in a movie where the good guy, usually a woman hiding behind a door, racks a shotgun, and the bad guy runs away.

Racking a pump-action shotgun may sound cool, but it's not likely to be intimidating enough to scare an intruder. (Photo: Rutsen Eagle/Guns.com)

In truth, the sound of racking a pump-action shotgun will not likely scare anyone away. In a defensive situation, you should rely on more than intimidation alone. A more effective home-defense plan is to train frequently with the firearm you intend to use.

4. Bullets Instantly Stop Attackers, Even Blowing Them Off Their Feet

Yet another bit of Hollywood lore is that bullets will instantly stop attackers. We’ve all seen the movies where the bad guy is blown off their feet after the good guy fires one shot.

9mm bullets in gel block — Federal Punch 9mm is a great self-defense round, but it's still not powerful enough to lift someone off their feet. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)

While it may look cool on the big screen, basic physics dispels this myth. Bullets, at least the ones most of us have access to, don’t generally have an energy transfer powerful enough to knock someone to the ground. In real life, there are many instances where a first shot doesn’t even slow down an attacker.

5. The AR in AR-15 Stands for 'Assault Rifle'

A common myth that’s been perpetuated by the anti-gun media is that AR-15 refers to an “assault rifle.” Because the AR-15 is both widely used and has been at the center of numerous controversies, this myth has been disseminated far and wide.

shooting AR-15 — (Photo: Don Summers/Guns.com)

The "AR" in AR-15 actually stands for ArmaLite Rifle and is named after the company that designed the firearm in the 1950s. The small arms engineering company originally developed the AR-15 for civilian use. Because it’s lightweight and versatile, the design was later adapted for military use.

6. Revolvers Are Far Easier to Shoot and Never Malfunction

One of the most widely repeated myths about revolvers is that they are easier to shoot and never malfunction. Many believe that revolvers are simpler than modern striker-fired pistols, and they will always function better.

shooting revolver — Revolvers have a simple action but still require training to shoot accurately, just like a semi-auto pistol. (Photo: Jeff Wood/Guns.com)

Shooting a revolver accurately is a skill that requires both time and practice. Many new shooters find they are more accurate on modern pistols. And although it is relatively rare, revolvers do malfunction because, internally, they are more complex than most realize. Timing issues, incompatible ammo, debris, and more can all cause problems with revolvers.

7. You Don’t Need to Clean Modern Guns

Many believe that modern firearms don’t ever need to be cleaned. They’re convinced that because the technology has advanced, maintenance is a thing of the past.

takedown of AR for cleaning — Yes, AR-15s need cleaning, too, and Guns.com can help you with that project. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)

Regardless of what a YouTube torture test video tells you, all firearms, new and old, require routine maintenance. Cleaning, lubricating, and inspecting your firearms regularly is the best way to ensure reliability and prevent malfunctions. This is especially true for your self-defense firearms that you expect to perform in a life-or-death situation.

Conclusion

Dispelling gun myths can feel futile with the amount of misinformation that’s readily available on the internet, but it's crucial we continue to spread the truth and set the record straight.