Terms and definitions

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theotherpursuit

theotherpursuit

Member
Jan 24, 2020
338
13
MD, United States
Every once in a while, I see the word “weapon” interchanged for airgun. 

I have a hard time adjusting to this word usage in our sport. Airguns are guns.. sure I get this. And yes, they can inflict damage like their cousins. But, I still have reservations every time I see airguns referred to as a weapon. Call me old fashioned, but I have always considered a weapon to be something used in war, or by drug cartels to secure their stash, or some evil villain’s device used to blow up the world.

I have taken up several expensive hobbies in my years. Whether I am cycling, backpacking, playing guitar, woodworking, or shooting with airguns. I always refer to any of these objects as tools. With regards to my airgun hobby, I use them to target shoot, hunt, and even as visual art. I have never considered any of my airguns as weapons. I don’t own any “powder burners”. But if I did, I would definitely consider it a weapon if not used as a tool (again, targeting shooting, hunting or some art installation).

Today, I looked up the definition of weapon just to make sure I am not way in left field with my thinking. It appears that airguns could inflict bodily harm, or damage, but I am sure that none of the manufacturers intend for this when designing them. Sure, there are those who blow up watermelons with the Evanix style semi’s, and those testing HP and big bores on concrete block. But, I think calling an airgun a weapon is a stretch in the wrong direction.

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Devil's advocate here, I love to delve into etemology and word use. Airguns used as hunting and pest control means are used to inflict bodily harm to the target.

"A weapon is a tool. A tool is any thing that can be manipulated to perform a function. ... A weapon is a tool used to kill, maim, injure, or increase the ability of other tools to achieve said goals. Not all guns are designed as weapons, but most tools can be re-purposed to be weapons."

Further... " weapon, arm or armament is any implement or device that can be used with intent to inflict damage or harm. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime, law enforcement, self-defense, and warfare."

Words can be used as weapons, as well.
 
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 A hammer could be a weapon because it is a tool.Be simple in thought,sticks and stones could be weapons,nowadays a sneeze can be a weapon....

KISS, You could be right,the point was to take the weapon out of air guns for the sake' of reference in order to smooth over the generalization of people's ignorance of the subject matter.If all else fails have a Sake'...of course a rodent hit by a pellet certainly would tell you it was hit by a weapon.....that is a reason I shoot to kill,I certainly do not want to argue with a wounded rodent..ok my lusciousness got away from me.I never use use weapon and air gun in the same subject matter,Fact I never use weapon as a word;.

Fact,I bet thousands of people have died over "words"...."you talking to me"..
 
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Purely a matter of connotation. 

I understand your aversion to the use of the term weapon in airgunning. Nevertheless, an airgun is just as much a hunting weapon as are firearms, airguns have been weapons of war and human casualty, and airguns are being used as weapons of crime as I type this.

Much as you hate seeing airguns described as weapons, I hate to see the Word Police describing rioters as "mostly peaceful protestors". Rioters are criminals, and airguns are weapons; regardless of connotations bothersome to some. 


 
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It’s interesting to see everyone’s different opinion of what the word weapon means. Ask ten people what comes to their mind when they hear the word Weapon, and you’ll get more than one type of answer. Kinda like when the average person hears the word pitbull, to some it evokes fear and others happiness because they know how good of a dog a pitbull can be. A weapon and pitbull are both alike: In the hands of an evil or ignorant person they can be dangerous
 
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Word usage and selection is about conveyance of intent. I still find it all particularly odd that every now and later someone decides to choose the word “weapon” when the word “airgun” is littered all over this site and a myriad of other associated sites.

For example, I purchased my first adult airgun from AOA (Airguns of Arizona). Yes, AOA not WOA (Weapons of Arizona). I get why Martin chose RAW over RA or RAG, and SPAW sounds slightly better than SPA or SPAG. 

Just my thoughts..

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The problem with word weapon these days is that it has taken on a very negative and politically incorrect connotation. I see people trying to avoid use of the word primarily for that reason. Some people don't like to use it even when it is appropriate like when referring to their concealed carry arm.

Forty or fifty years ago this would only be a minor semantic consideration. Nowadays people worry about how it will be perceived by non airgunners.


 
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Seems to me another aspect of the issue is the development of replica air guns. I own a couple and they are convincingly realistic. Bad guys, some of them anyway are taking advantage of that fact and using them as tools in the commission of crimes. Which of course causes the progressives on the left to call everything short of a blackeye pea and a straw a deadly weapon. It's a nutty world we are living in now.
 
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When I took an airgun to UPS for return to the seller. The UPS attendant continued to lecture me on gun ownership, the dangers, and continued to speak as if it was a firearm. He started to condemn the 2 amendment. I had to tell him to shut the F up. I took my parcel and went to a different location.

My interpretation of a weapon is anything used to inflict harm to others. Yes an airgun can be used as a weapon! but it is not a firearm.
 
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Most countries of the world treat airguns and powder burners as equals once the airguns cross a certain threshold i.e. muzzle velocity or projectile energy or a combination of both. In reality how is an airgun any different than a powder burner? There seems to be a drive to make airguns more powerful. As a kid using my FWB124 for bunnies and squirrels seemed to be the usable limits of the airguns' capability. Now they are being used to hunt hogs, deer and other large critters.
 
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As I understand it one of the primary functions of a "silencer" is to cool & reduce volume ( copper and steel wool often used ) of the hot burning gasses there by reducing pressure and volume prior to gasses exiting the sound reduction device (silencer). Cooling,( metal wool) slowing the discharge (baffles), and providing a space (canister) for expansion to slow the hot gasses discharge there by reduce decibels. This DEALING WITH HOT BURNING GASSES is not necessary in an air gun moderator and air gun sound absorbing devices will not with stand being subjected to hot burning gasses. Most " moderators" are light weight ( aluminum, carbon fiber, etc) and are eroded or destroyed by burning powder . Yes there is a difference between a silencer and a moderator, dealing with hot burning gasses of gun powder, At least in legal proceedings( Alphabet org ). Most people would not understand our definition of a moderator . Air guns use a moderator to moderate, reduce, control the sound. Our moderators are designed for use with NON powder burning air guns. This is the reason airgunners are not subject to prosecution for possession of a moderator. I would not tell a law enforcement person you have a silencer unless you have a license and tax receipt for it.
 
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Funny thread! I think the word weapon came from war time. Hunting wasn't a sport or war. They hunted to eat. So I don't care for the word weapon used for my toy BB gun. Sure they can shoot your eye out but firearms are used for war. 



Another military term that is used around here is tactical. I laugh and or roll my eyes every time that word is used. Picture GI Joe armed with a BB gun, carrying along a tank with a compressor in tow. Or should we use the word "Tact-a-cool"
 
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GBGunner, is smart to bring up silencer / moderator. Our BB guns are not firearms. So as of now they are not regulated as a firearm. We should be careful not to try to convince others that our air guns are weapons of destruction. I just want to play with my legal toy in the back yard. If I have to go to a range or the woods. I have more suitable choices.
 
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