Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Do we really squander tax dollars on those individuals? The intended use mysteriously defines what it is?
What is a firearm?
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Do we really squander tax dollars on those individuals? The intended use mysteriously defines what it is?
Eleven Mike;
Yup, pistons is exactly what I was referring to. Simply because they have a connecting rod to push 'em back to the firing chamber doesn't change anything. They are metal projectiles that would seem to be capable of meeting the criteria. They are propelled by burning gasses, and fired down cylindrical bores.
The point of this being, that the vehicle piston example could be a weapon brought to bear against foolish legislation. "So, congresscritter, you're going to make every single vehicle driver in the United States to be in possession of multiple firearms?" I think it'd be a dandy de-railing point.
900F
Yup, pistons is exactly what I was referring to. Simply because they have a connecting rod to push 'em back to the firing chamber doesn't change anything. They are metal projectiles that would seem to be capable of meeting the criteria. They are propelled by burning gasses, and fired down cylindrical bores.
The point of this being, that the vehicle piston example could be a weapon brought to bear against foolish legislation. "So, congresscritter, you're going to make every single vehicle driver in the United States to be in possession of multiple firearms?" I think it'd be a dandy de-railing point.
900F
Sorry, Standing Wolf, but the concept of "intent" is common in law, and very often means the difference between walking around free and going to jail. Many laws are based on "intent" and the state must prove "intent" in order to convict. How does the judge or jury know the mind of the accused? By his/her words or actions. If I fire a "shot" from a potato gun that breaks a neighbor's window, it could be an accident and unintentional. But if I keep shooting until I break all his windows and then shoot at him, I have little doubt a jury would feel that my potato gun was being used as a weapon.
CB90DF, the pistons might be "projectiles" but the usual wording of the law uses the term "expel." If your engine expels its pistons, I think you have a rather serious car problem.
Jim
CB90DF, the pistons might be "projectiles" but the usual wording of the law uses the term "expel." If your engine expels its pistons, I think you have a rather serious car problem.
Jim
Hemicuda
member
Umm... PAX!
I own an olimpic style competition air rifle... it has dispached MANY a small critter and put them in my crockput...
those are DEFINITELY weapons... (you tell my local squirrel population otherwise!)
I own an olimpic style competition air rifle... it has dispached MANY a small critter and put them in my crockput...
those are DEFINITELY weapons... (you tell my local squirrel population otherwise!)
Pax,
Also depends on your state and/or local statutes. What might be a firearm in one state or portion of a state, may not be in another.
My town has prohibitions against discharging firearms in the town limits, and then goes in legalise to say "for puposes of the ordinance a firearm is defined as...." and lists every possible permutation imaginable.
Not commenting on the right or wrongness of such a law, but it is law, until successfully challenged or changed.
Also depends on your state and/or local statutes. What might be a firearm in one state or portion of a state, may not be in another.
My town has prohibitions against discharging firearms in the town limits, and then goes in legalise to say "for puposes of the ordinance a firearm is defined as...." and lists every possible permutation imaginable.
Not commenting on the right or wrongness of such a law, but it is law, until successfully challenged or changed.
General Geoff
Member
The technical definition of the word would include any device which propels a projectile through the use of a combustible accelerant. Is a spud gun a firearm? Yes, unless it uses compressed air. Is an air rifle a firearm? No.
Keep in mind something doesn't have to be a firearm to be deadly. A gauss gun or railgun can hurl projectiles through magnetic acceleration at much, much higher velocites than any rifle could hope to achieve, but that doesn't make them firearms.
I think people try to make arbitrary definitions for "firearm" just to facilitate their legislation. It's like trying to define "knife" as anything with a blade, when swords, machetes, chainsaws, and axes are by no means actually knives.
Keep in mind something doesn't have to be a firearm to be deadly. A gauss gun or railgun can hurl projectiles through magnetic acceleration at much, much higher velocites than any rifle could hope to achieve, but that doesn't make them firearms.
I think people try to make arbitrary definitions for "firearm" just to facilitate their legislation. It's like trying to define "knife" as anything with a blade, when swords, machetes, chainsaws, and axes are by no means actually knives.
Pax,
Trying to help here, really!
From the American Heritage Dictionary: fire·arm n. A weapon, especially a pistol or rifle, capable of firing a projectile and using an explosive charge as a propellant.
Key in my mind is that weapon is part of the definition. Obviously, it can be parsed, but it's simple and makes the point in my mind.
Trying to help here, really!
From the American Heritage Dictionary: fire·arm n. A weapon, especially a pistol or rifle, capable of firing a projectile and using an explosive charge as a propellant.
Key in my mind is that weapon is part of the definition. Obviously, it can be parsed, but it's simple and makes the point in my mind.
The Indiana definition:
IC 35-47-1-5
"Firearm"
35-47-1-5 Sec. 5. "Firearm" means any weapon that is capable of or designed to or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosion.
I think "deflagration" is a better term than explosion, as said before. The Indiana definition excludes air rifles, but not, it appears, spud guns. A target rifle is still a weapon under law since if you point it at a person and pull the trigger you just used deadly force. An auto engine is not a firearm since the projectile is not expelled.
IC 35-47-1-5
"Firearm"
35-47-1-5 Sec. 5. "Firearm" means any weapon that is capable of or designed to or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosion.
I think "deflagration" is a better term than explosion, as said before. The Indiana definition excludes air rifles, but not, it appears, spud guns. A target rifle is still a weapon under law since if you point it at a person and pull the trigger you just used deadly force. An auto engine is not a firearm since the projectile is not expelled.
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