Here is the definition I've been using for years:
Using this definition, neither pellet guns nor BB guns nor paintball guns are "firearms," because they use air pressure rather than burning propellant.
But ...
My oldest son was standing next to my elbow a few minutes ago, and wants to know whether our spud gun is a firearm because it uses the rapid, confined burning of a propellant (hair spray) to fling the projectile (the potato) downrange.
Opinions?
pax
A firearm is a mechanism which throws projectiles using the energy produced through the rapid, confined burning of a propellant.
Using this definition, neither pellet guns nor BB guns nor paintball guns are "firearms," because they use air pressure rather than burning propellant.
But ...
My oldest son was standing next to my elbow a few minutes ago, and wants to know whether our spud gun is a firearm because it uses the rapid, confined burning of a propellant (hair spray) to fling the projectile (the potato) downrange.
Opinions?
pax