[zahc]

Legally, socially, technically, what is a firearm?

Do any states use the term 'firearm' to describe non firearms such a crossbows and airguns?

[4v50 Gary]

It's defined in the 16.4 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Darn but I gave my copy away.

[El Tejon]

zahc, check local listings for firearm definition near you. Firearm means what the elected masters in the state assembly say it means (legally speaking, of course).

Yes, several jurisdictions define luftgewehren (and stun guns) as "firearms."

[Autolite]

a spring or pneumatic pellet gun that is capable of firing a projectile over 500fps is considered a 'firearm'. You need a licence to purchase and own one, and it must be registered with the federal government. I have a Crosman Model 1377C in .177 cal that is registered as a restricted handgun, same classification as if it were a Desert Eagle .50 ...

[Rembrandt]

...technically speaking...."a tool which shoots a projectile by burning gunpowder"

....of course some school children were guilty of posession when they were found to have some drawings of guns...

[sm]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=firearm


fire·arm ( P ) Pronunciation Key (frärm)
n.
A weapon, especially a pistol or rifle, capable of firing a projectile and using an explosive charge as a propellant.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


firearm

\Fire"arm`\, n. A gun, pistol, or any weapon from a shot is discharged by the force of an explosive substance, as gunpowder.


Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.


firearm

n : a portable gun; "he wore his firearm in a shoulder holster" [syn: piece, small-arm]


Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

---

I call it a warm 1911 style or old smith wheelie myself...

[TheeBadOne]

"A gun is a tool, Marion, no better or no worse than any other tool, an axe, a shovel or
anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that".

-Shane

[Stevie-Ray]

In my area, though a bow or crossbow is not considered a firearm, it is under the same guidelines for shooting. That is you are not to shoot one within the city limits or you will receive a bashing.

[C.R.Sam]

And...
Some areas use...
Propells a projectile by means of expanding gas.

That covers burning powder, CO2, air etc.

Sam

[Justin]

It's my understanding that airguns are regulated as if they were firearms in New Jersey.

Dunno if it's true or not, though.

[Zundfolge]

According to the Gun Control Act of 1968:

The term "firearm" means (A) any weapon (incuding a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

you can read all about it here http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2000_ref.htm

[gun-fucious]

Gun or firearm: Any rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar
mechanism by whatever name known which is designed to expel a projectile
through a gun barrel by the action of any explosive, gas, compressed air, spring or
elastic.

Montgomery County, Maryland

[Benjamin]

don't quote me on this, but last time I checked our regs Massachusetts had defined a 'firearm' to be any pistol, revolver or handgun. Hence state regulations referring to 'any firearm, rifle or shotgun' etc.

[Nando Aqui]

Speaking of which...

I have seen several movies that take place in medieval times and before, where they yell "Fire" as an order to shoot arrows with bows as well as to launch stones with catapults, etc. This doesn't make sense to me. Does anyone know if using the word 'fire' for such a command is a historical fact?

Alex

[geekWithA.45]

specifically and ludicrously defines any bb or pellet gun as a full blown firearm.

You need to be 18 and have a FID to own the Red Ryder BB gun.

You additionally need a Pistol Purchase Permit to buy even the cheesiest bb pistol

:fire: :fire: :fire:

[Futo Inu]

Zundfolge has got it, for federal purposes.

Each state can/may have a differing definition.

Each city/municipality can/may have a differing definition. For example, the city ordinance here includes airguns as "firearms".

[RobW]

Interestingly, the gun control act refers to "explosives", but smokeless powders are "propellants" NOT EXPLOSIVES!

Following logic, all guns using smokeless powder are not "firearms". Only blackpowder guns are firearms, because blackpowder IS an explosive.

So much for the expertise of our aristocracy!

[cordex]

As others have said, depends on where/who you are and what you're doing.
El T can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure in Indiana, while stun guns aren't regulated as guns, you have to have a pistol permit to carry one.

Odd laws

[gun-fucious]

http://www.fotosearch.com/thumb/ART/ART187/PER011.jpg
Barrel [check]
Expels projectile [check]
Action of compressed gas [check]

dats a firearm

[Skunkabilly]

Things that make me go :) :D :cool: :o :uhoh: :cuss: :evil: and :banghead:

[Futo Inu]

Of course, no right or wrong definition there, but I think in terms a little differently from gun-fucious, who said:

"Barrel [check]
Expels projectile [check]
Action of compressed gas [check]"

To me, that's the definition of a "Gun" - propels a projectile down a barrel with some kind of expanding gas. So, to me, this definition of "Gun" includes airguns, potato guns, etc. It also includes cannons and howitzers, mortars, etc.

But, to me, "Firearms" are those Guns, :

(a) in which the expanding gas is itself created by means of a *burning* propellant. This is more limited, to traditional firearms and blackpowder guns, and is also in line with the federal legal definition; and
(b) shoot a projectile which is designed to do the bulk of its damage to the intended target by means of it's *kinetic* energy, as opposed to an exploding round.