I was a professional photographer for years. One week, after a recent school shooting, I was supposed to take photos of the Athletic Director and Football Coach. I went to the front desk and said, “I am here to shoot the AD.”
We use the term “shoot” all the time. In context we would “shoot a game”, “shoot the cheerleaders”, “shoot head shots of the voilleyball team.”
The folks at the front desk were not amused.
This is just another case where folks on either side are devoid of a sense of humor. Before you all jump ugly and say “it’s not funny”…you need to get yourself a cup of coffee and sit down. I am merely presenting the context.
I would suggest that very few people couch their words 24 hours a day. Lots of attempted jokes fall flat when they are spoken to the wrong audience.
I think everyone understands that. But the allusions to JFK and a "convertible," in a highly policed situation, make this a much more pointed case than general chit chat.
Good thing we have a knowledgeable one to dispel our yokel imaginings