Weapon? Or Firearm?

Kanewpadle

Kanewpadle

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Was recently talking to an older gentlemen about guns in general. We came across the topic of "assault weapons".

He went on to say that he considers AR-15's and AK-47 type rifles to be weapons and hunting rifles and handguns are firearms. And weapons are made to kill people. Firearms are not.

I disagreed but didn't say anything because I've known this man for a long time and have a great deal of respect for him. And even though I disagree, I can understand his point, a little.

But before you reply, let me give you some background on this man.

He is a retired veteran who did three tours in Vietnam in 1963, 1967, and 1970. He's survived incursions into countries when we were supposedly not there and one plane crash. He's seen the four corners of the world.

He's picked up body parts of civilian and military alike. He's shot and been shot at and lived to tell about it.

So he's obviously been around the block a few times.

So what do you think? Remember, I'm asking for your opinion. Not sacasm.
 
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Historically mankind has managed to kill each other with almost any object on hand...a rock will do in a pinch
 
If we are being honest, firearms, guns, weapons, whatever you want to call them were invented to kill people and animals.

It is a weapon. There's no hiding that. Just like a sword, knife, bow and arrow, bomb or missile are weapons.

However it is a tool, just like a sword, knife, bow, and explosives are a tool.

So I guess what I am getting at is, just like anything, it's how one uses that tool.

The military uses the term "weapon". Anyone in the military, myself included will tell you that. When I'm with military friends, I use "weapon". When I'm with anyone else, I use "firearm".
 
At the VFW that I'm a member of we have several officers of different agencies that are members. When I asked if when they pulled someone over they would rather be told by the driver that they had a firearm instead of a weapon. I would lean towards firearm, ymmv.
 
I typically use the term firearm but in my mind I'm thinking weapon, 10 years in the Army will do that to a person. ;), I also use the terms sidearm, rifle, and pistol. I have difficulty calling any firearm a "gun" (Army experiences kicking in again). In the end I don't react to what others call them. Even the word "clip" doesn't bother me anymore. (I must be getting old).
 
every firearm is a weapon, but every weapon is not a firearm

Kanewpadle said:
Was recently talking to an older gentlemen about guns in general. We came across the topic of "assault weapons". He went on to say that he considers AR-15's and AK-47 type rifles to be weapons and hunting rifles and handguns are firearms. And weapons are made to kill people. Firearms are not. I disagreed but didn't say anything because I've known this man for a long time and have a great deal of respect for him. And even though I disagree, I can understand his point, a little. But before you reply, let me give you some background on this man. He is a retired veteran who did three tours in Vietnam in 1963, 1967, and 1970. He's survived incursions into countries when we were supposedly not there and one plane crash. He's seen the four corners of the world. He's picked up body parts of civilian and military alike. He's shot and been shot at and lived to tell about it. So he's obviously been around the block a few times. So what do you think? Remember, I'm asking for your opinion. Not sacasm.
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Weapon is a very general term that covers all types of weapons from an Atomic bomb down to a good throwing rock. A firearm is a specific form of weapon. A handgun is a specific form of firearm. Revolver is a specific form of handgun. S&W Model 696 no dash is a specific form of revolver. NIB Model 696 no dash is even more specific, but all of them are weapons.

Of course you can always take the view that something is a weapon or not depending on how it is used, but when you argue such flexible points you are wasting time to my mind. Certainly any firearm can be used as a weapon.

I would certainly not quibble with anyone who called a firearm a weapon.

What I do object to is inventing a term like “assault weapon” and arbitrarily applying it to any gun that looks like a military gun or an AK or an AR. Any gun can be used to assault someone, and as someone pointed out the bow and arrow was an assault weapon at one time, the six gun at one time could have been called an assault weapon, and the lever action “repeating” rifle could also have been called an assault weapon in its day. By putting the newly invented label “assault weapon” to some guns, it allows them to be more easily vilified.

In reality, there is no such thing as an assault weapon.
 
After teaching Hunter Safety for 28 years, I'm programmed to use the term "firearm."

The term, "weapon," is pretty general. "Firearm" is specific. Can a firearm also be a weapon? You bet your bobsled it can. But so can your car keys, a roll of quarters, a padlock, and dozens of other things.

I guess to each his own, but I think I'll stick with "firearm."
 
Do not have much to add. They are firearms first. All firearms are designed to use gasses from burning gunpowder to force a projectile out of the barrel.

How it is used determines it's further status. As was stated earlier, the firearm by itself is not dangerous. It is the person that is dangerous.
 
FireARMS, weapon, pointed sticks...The word does not define the object nor the purposeful use of the object. Its the intent of the user which is considered good or ill. Its the gullible who are influenced by such words as 'assault weapon' which gun control people use.

Sometimes they will use the term so often that they're imagination will carry it to the impossible to their detriment, ex. the Denver lawmaker not knowing about magazines or Feinstein calling AW's weapons of war - when nobody would arm a modern soldier with them. I think those who had moderate knowledge of firearms were turned off when the gun control crowd started to use those terms instead of trying to debate the issue.
 
Well, my H&R Model 195 USRA Pistol could be used as a weapon, but it was not designed for that purpose. Almost all of my other guns were. They were designed for killing people or animals. That's why I carry them. I hope I don't have to use one for such, but if I do have to, I'll certainly be glad that I had the means, rather than suffer the consequences of being unprepared.

I have no need to pretend that my firearms are not weapons.
 
I can sure see where your friend is coming from, when the military issued us our 1911s they were not intended to be used to shoot paper with, so they were weapons and they made that quite clear! My current 1911 is used to shoot paper with so it is a firearm. I also own a Baretta 92fs and it is also used to shoot paper with but its military counterpart the M9 has another job entirely. Call them whatever you like as long as I know what you are talking about I'm good with it. Potato...Potato..tomato...tomato..
 
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