"[Jeff Cooper] coined the term "hoplophobia" in 1962 in response to a perceived need for a word to describe a mental aberration consisting of an unreasoning terror of gadgetry, specifically, weapons. The most common manifestation of hoplophobia is the idea that instruments possess a will of their own, apart from that of their user. This is not a reasoned position, but when you point this out to a hoplophobe he is not impressed because his is an unreasonable position. ***To convince a man that he is not making sense is not to change his viewpoint but rather to make an enemy.*** Thus hoplophobia is a useful word, but as with all words, it should be used correctly."
- Colonel Jeff Cooper, USMC