• NounsAndWords@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    From what I remember about this one, the media switched from calling them ‘snipers’ to ‘gunmen’/shooters as soon as we found out they were black.

      • BloodSlut@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Personally, I view “sniper” as having the connotation of being a much higher skillset and degree of planning and competency. Likely with some level of training and control.

        Meanwhile “gunner” could just be any half-brained Joe schmo who picks a gun of the ground and starts firing.

        As for diction, sniper typically refers to a long range shooter using a powerful rifle while gunner could be using any gun.