Firearms or Weapons!

[broncoII]

Ok my 2 cents woth. I call them firearms/pistol/rifle/shotgun/gun. A weapon is anything used for protection (knife/bat/finger/sharp stick). Oh and on the PC issue I say stick it where the sun don't shine, but thats my 2 cents,well 2.5 cents (inflation)

 

[AdamXBT]

Weapons Is A General Term Of Any Ofensive Or Defensive Object,Firearms IS A Sub-Term,Like Knife,Bo,Legs,Sword Or A Car If You Visualize Like A Arm.Thats Is My Opinion,Everybody Has One.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Weapon describes a use of an object or tool,
like a knife or a firearm, that can have a lot
more uses that as a weapon.

Even firearms designed as weapons--military firearms
in particular--are more likely to be kept and used as
curios, relics, ornaments or recreational items, than
as weapons.

This is not to say that use was weapons is not legitimate--
since about 1972 my position has changed to the point
that I see self-defense as a valid reason to have a firearm
and no longer make apologies for owning certain guns
as dedicated weapons.

But again, weapon is a use: firearm is an object.

 

[Eleven Mike]

Again and again, when you call something a firearm, you are calling it a weapon. "Arm" means weapon in that context.

 

[JohnKSa]

NRA Instructor Doesn't Like the Word Weapon

At a recent IDPA match, I was the RO and used to command "holster your weapon" as the IDPA rule book states. An NRA instructor who was competing began to give to me a lecture on why I should not use that term. I told him that my CCW is a weapon and that's what I'll continue to call it. I also told him that IDPA is not an NRA activity, and I would not follow their policies. He was of the opinion that NRA policies should take precedence over all others.

Yup, NRA training materials strongly discourage the use of the word weapon. I guess that makes sense in the basic safety classes where you're focusing exclusively on safety, use and maintenance, but they even carry it over to their defense oriented training. That seems a stretch...

Not calling a gun a weapon was the hardest part of getting my NRA instructor certifications.

 

[Eleven Mike]

I'm not giving up my NRA membership - but it's tempting.