hoplophobia

Definition

The irrational fear of guns.

Etymology

Firearms authority and writer Colonel Jeff Cooper claims to have coined the word in 1962: hoplo- (“weapon, arms”) + -phobia (“fear”).

Example Sentences

• "Gun control laws are proposed to control three basic areas: Crime, accidental shootings, and to calm those suffering from hoplophobia — these people generally align themselves with the first two so I won’t even consider that category."
• "You'll be happy to learn that "hoplophobia" (irrational fear of weapons) has been recognized as an illness by the AMA, is treatable, and is now covered by most HMOs. Get thee to a psychiatrist!"
• "2015: James Taranto, in "Best of the Web: The Left Loses Control," The Wall Street Journal That the [New York] Times's gun-control crusade is motivated by hoplophobia, rather than a sincere concern about crime and terrorism, can be demonstrated by a comparison with other Times editorials that do not focus on guns."