Rifles, pistols, revolvers; primary function through most of history:
Weapons of war. Used by men to kill or severely maim others during conflicts or open war.
Small arms; pistols / revolvers;
Developed over time through consistent improvement of cartridge/ gun design.
Primary usage: personal protection, self defense, alternate armament after and for close quarters combat / when primary (rifle) is empty.
Rifles, Long guns; first fully portable method of defense/offense, developed around the use of "gun powder".
Devised as a weapon of war, and as an alternative to the crossbow and sword.
Usable from a distance to up close.
Delivered small (.50-.70 cal.) rounds at high velocity. Shot could penetrate most armor of the early 4th Dynasty.
Rifles / Pistols:
Through history, these Weapons have been used and improved upon for a singular function of which they do well.
To inflict damage and or to kill your adversary.
Secondary functions include hunting and self defense, target shooting, gun competitions, etc.
I know we are in a fight for our rights to self defense.
I know that "killing" is a frowned upon description when speaking of our right to own and use our rifle/handgun.
The problem is, our weapons are designed, first and foremost, to kill other humans who intend on killing us. They originated as weapons of war and remain as such to this day.
I make no excuse for that fact. My firearms are held primarily for that express reason.
I do not hunt.
I am not military or law enforcement.
My weapons (and they ARE weapons) are used, by me for the defense of my home, family and self.. Period.
My weapons are not for "plinking", gun matches, hunting, although they can be used as such.
They are deadly, dangerous and capable of inflicting severe injury and or death.
Firearms are designed to kill, and or severely injure.
They are a tremendous responsibility to possess.
Please, call them what they are.
Deadly.