Why do people say “weapon?”

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by SylverCANADA

Because that’s what it is...the primary purpose of a firearm has been to kill.

Depends on the purpose the user designates .. doesn't it ? Killing Wildlife legally with a Firearm is now usually referred to as Harvest. This is the new reality.
"Killing" animals is no longer socially acceptable terminology.Get use to it.

[Scott N]

The term "weapon" doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation to the people, like most of us, that own firearms, bows, etc., and hunt. I would say it's safe to say it DOES have a negative connotation to the majority of Canadians. If you want to call your rifle, shotgun, bow, or Daisy Red Ryder a weapon, that's your prerogative, but I don't think it's helping our image with the undecided. Your mileage may vary.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Salavee

Depends on the purpose the user designates .. doesn't it ? Killing Wildlife legally with a Firearm is now usually referred to as Harvest. This is the new reality.
"Killing" animals is no longer socially acceptable terminology.Get use to it.

I have helped harvest grain and other crops.
I butcher farm animals and I hunt and kill wild animals.
I never have and never will refer to it as "harvesting"
I remember years ago one of the members of our F&G club insist we start calling hunting a recreation instead of a sport.
As far as being sociable goes, the anti hunters have never been a sociable bunch when it comes to hunters and fishermen.
Cat

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I have helped harvest grain and other crops.
I butcher farm animals and I hunt and kill wild animals.
I never have and never will refer to it as "harvesting"
I remember years ago one of the members of our F&G club insist we start calling hunting a recreation instead of a sport.
As far as being sociable goes, the anti hunters have never been a sociable bunch when it comes to hunters and fishermen.
Cat

I hear what your saying Cat and I'm with you. However, the groups that we as gun oun owners and users try hard not to offend seem to be the ones setting the agenda.. namely The Antis. Accepting them for what they are,and what they can do, it's likely in our best interest not to treat them like a fly on a toilet seat. They are PO'd enough already. I'm not suggesting we surrender by any means but I think we had better realize the difference between scratching our arses and tearing them apart. It,s a a totally different scenario we're dealing with nowadays. We don't like that, but ...

[weedcatcher]

Definition of weapon by Oxford dictionary: Something used to injure, defeat or destroy.
One of the golden rules of firearms: never point your rifle at anything you don’t want killed or destroyed.

Firearms are made to kill. When I go hunting I’m not trying to tickle the deer or elk or moose. My bullets are designed to inflict maximum bodily damage.

My firearms ARE weapons. The definition of weapon is NOT limited to harming people. My firearms are intended to kill. Period. They are weapons.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

Oxford dictionary: Something used to injure, defeat or destroy.
One of the golden rules of firearms: never point your rifle at anything you don’t want killed or destroyed.

Firearms are made to kill. When I go hunting I’m not trying to tickle the deer or elk or moose. My bullets are designed to inflict maximum bodily damage.

My firearms ARE weapons. The definition of weapon is NOT limited to harming people. My firearms are intended to kill. Period. They are weapons.

Sure they can kill, but whether they do or not is up to the user. They also have other uses. If you consider your firearms as weapons, then I guess they are.That's the way the antis think too. I personally see them as tools.. but that's just me. As to the definition of a weapon ..look it up.

[CNP]

The term "weapon" is used extensively in the AB Hunting Regulations. People use the word weapon because they read the hunting regulations and hunt with weapons. What is the problem?

From the AB Hunting Regulations.

Weapon - a firearm or any other device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, spring, air, gas, string, wire or elastic material or any combination of those things.

[weedcatcher]

Originally Posted by Salavee

Sure they can kill, but whether they do or not is up to the user. They also have other uses. If you consider your firearms as weapons, then I guess they are.That's the way the antis think too. I personally see them as tools.. but that's just me. As to the definition of a weapon ..look it up.

I did look it up. And I quoted oxford dictionary. Did you miss that part?

Yes, my firearms can be used for target practice. Practice for what? Hitting paper or whatever is just practice for the real thing. Like hitting live game. Which will be killed and destroyed. Which, by definition, makes it a weapon. Trust me. I looked it up.

[weedcatcher]

I might add: I’m not ashamed to say I own weapons. I use them to kill animals. Which I butcher and consume. I don’t have to be embarrassed that I own weapons and kill animals because I do it legally. I won’t let the antis bully me into excusing what I do or what I own. I won’t try to make my rifles seem more paletable to them. I won’t try to make them seem like a hammer or a sewing machine. They are not JUST tools. They are a specific type of tool. A weapon. Used to kill. Legally. I don’t go hunting with a sewing machine, and I won’t pretend to to make other people feel better.

[brendan's dad]

This is the Criminal Code definition of a "Weapon"

“Weapon” means any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use

(a) in causing death or injury to any person, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person
and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a firearm.

So, as per the Criminal Code of Canada a firearm is defined as a weapon.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

I did look it up. And I quoted oxford dictionary. Did you miss that part?

Yes, my firearms can be used for target practice. Practice for what? Hitting paper or whatever is just practice for the real thing. Like hitting live game. Which will be killed and destroyed. Which, by definition, makes it a weapon. Trust me. I looked it up.

Did you see the word "adversary" mentioned. AFIK a firearm becomes a weapon when it is used against an adversary. When used against a non-combatant, the loser is called a shooting victim. Far too many shooting victims these days , and those of us who cherish our" Weapons" are fast becoming the the victim's of those who hate them.

Some Hunters like to call them "weapons" and they use them for "sport" . An old bugger like me can't begin to understand the relationship between the two.. but to each their own. Maybe I don't understand it all, but forgive me.. the three toughest years of my life were spent trying to pass grade IV

[TomP]

Firearms were made to kill things...they are weapons....I use mine to kill animals..to eat them...yeah some of my weapons are used for sport shooting occasionally...but the main use of my firearms is to kill animals..I don’t believe in censoring my words because they are to painful for the public to hear when it is reality.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

This is the Criminal Code definition of a "Weapon"

“Weapon” means any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use

(a) in causing death or injury to any person, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person
and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a firearm.

So, as per the Criminal Code of Canada a firearm is defined as a weapon.

OK..Thanks. So I see sporting rifle are included in the catch-all category.
Although they are not not designed or in tended (a) nor are they meant for (b) , they still COULD be. That's the part that is presenting the current gun ownership fiasco.
A sporting rifle was not designed or intended to be used as a weapon, but many owners of sporting rifles refer to them as just that .. weapons. I guess I have to ask. Why ? But that perspective is probably not valid any more in any event. Now the're building them (sporting rifles) to look like weapons (assault rifles).
I'm kinda glad I'm at the tail end of my hunting and shooting days.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

This is the Criminal Code definition of a "Weapon"

“Weapon” means any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use

(a) in causing death or injury to any person, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person
and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a firearm.

So, as per the Criminal Code of Canada a firearm is defined as a weapon.

Note the use of the word PERSON. No mention of Big Game, Bird Game or predators etc. How many weapons do I own? NONE.

[weedcatcher]

Such a semantical and emotionally charged subject.
Someone argues that the word weapon demonizes their harmless firearms. Their firearms wouldn’t hurt a fly, etc. And how dare anyone suggest that their firearm could possibly do anything more than put pleasant holes in paper. They are no more weapons than a hole punch. They just do it from a distance.
Someone else sees their firearms as tools meant for killing. They see the potential for taking life every time they pull the trigger, and even if they will never even point their firearms at a human, they consider them deadly and therefore use the word weapon.
At the end of the argument nothing is accomplished except some division between firearms enthusiasts.

[fps plus]

In most cases simply the misuse / ignorance of the English language .

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

Such a semantical and emotionally charged subject.
Someone argues that the word weapon demonizes their harmless firearms. Their firearms wouldn’t hurt a fly, etc. And how dare anyone suggest that their firearm could possibly do anything more than put pleasant holes in paper. They are no more weapons than a hole punch. They just do it from a distance.
Someone else sees their firearms as tools meant for killing. They see the potential for taking life every time they pull the trigger, and even if they will never even point their firearms at a human, they consider them deadly and therefore use the word weapon.
At the end of the argument nothing is accomplished except some division between firearms enthusiasts.

Like I said before... a Firearm ,in itself, wont kill anything. That decision is up to the operator. Use it as a weapon, or for lack of a better word, us it as a tool.. Your call.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by fps plus

In most cases simply the misuse / ignorance of the English language .

That it is ! Referring to our firearms as weapons just adds fuel to the anti"s cause...and they seem to be winning.

[gunluvr]

It's about using the correct term to describe something relative to the present subject matter. When an incorrect term is used (ie. "weapon") to describe a hunting rifle, (normally used to hunt game) the user implies the rifle is used to defend, defeat, or assault another human.
Without specialist knowledge, or awareness of the present situation, incorrect terms create ambiguity and prejudicial connotation. Deliberate use of incorrect terms can be used to promote such. Non- deliberate use is just ignorance of the language.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Scott N

The term "weapon" doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation to the people, like most of us, that own firearms, bows, etc., and hunt. I would say it's safe to say it DOES have a negative connotation to the majority of Canadians. If you want to call your rifle, shotgun, bow, or Daisy Red Ryder a weapon, that's your prerogative, but I don't think it's helping our image with the undecided. Your mileage may vary.

So where is this happening. Is it when you are being interviewed by national news. Speaking at a convention somewhere? When and where is this happening?

[DLab]

Originally Posted by gunluvr

It's about using the correct term to describe something relative to the present subject matter. When an incorrect term is used (ie. "weapon") to describe a hunting rifle, (normally used to hunt game) the user implies the rifle is used to defend, defeat, or assault another human.
Without specialist knowledge, or awareness of the present situation, incorrect terms create ambiguity and prejudicial connotation. Deliberate use of incorrect terms can be used to promote such. Non- deliberate use is just ignorance of the language.

Excellent,well worded response to the subject matter at hand. I agree with your explanation,but I think what would suffice for many would be the infamous words of the late R.Lee Ermey,
"This is my weapon....this is my gun..."

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by chuck

So where is this happening. Is it when you are being interviewed by national news. Speaking at a convention somewhere? When and where is this happening?

You haven't figgered that out by now ??

[weedcatcher]

Originally Posted by gunluvr

It's about using the correct term to describe something relative to the present subject matter. When an incorrect term is used (ie. "weapon") to describe a hunting rifle, (normally used to hunt game) the user implies the rifle is used to defend, defeat, or assault another human.
Without specialist knowledge, or awareness of the present situation, incorrect terms create ambiguity and prejudicial connotation. Deliberate use of incorrect terms can be used to promote such. Non- deliberate use is just ignorance of the language.

So then, the definition of weapon, as you describe it, necessitates action against a human. I don’t think the pure definition of weapon is only to defend against, defeat or assault a human. Oxford in one place says it is “a thing designed for or used to inflict bodily harm or physical damage.”
Nowhere Does it specify against a human specifically. I inflict both bodily harm and damage against anything I am hunting. So I don’t think it is ignorance to say in my rifle is a weapon. I think it follows the strict definition.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

So then, the definition of weapon, as you describe it, necessitates action against a human. I don’t think the pure definition of weapon is only to defend against, defeat or assault a human. Oxford in one place says it is “a thing designed for or used to inflict bodily harm or physical damage.”
Nowhere Does it specify against a human specifically. I inflict both bodily harm and damage against anything I am hunting. So I don’t think it is ignorance to say in my rifle is a weapon. I think it follows the strict definition.

Read the post by Brendan's Dad .. two or three times, if necessary.
That's not my description.

[weedcatcher]

To be honest, I don’t really care what your description is.
Call your firearms whatever you want. Call them pretty unicorn grooming tools if you want because you think it placates the antis.
I’ll call mine what they are.
.
.
.
And I totally recognize that you don’t care about that either.


Maybe you should stop letting the antis force you to try to speak out the side of your mouth and try to excuse your hobby so you don’t offend any of them.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

To be honest, I don’t really care what your description is.
Call your firearms whatever you want. Call them pretty unicorn grooming tools if you want because you think it placates the antis.
I’ll call mine what they are.
.
.
.
And I totally recognize that you don’t care about that either.


Maybe you should stop letting the antis force you to try to speak out the side of your mouth and try to excuse your hobby so you don’t offend any of them.

like

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Salavee

You haven't figgered that out by now ??

Where are you avoiding this term? We are acting like this a widespread gu owner problem. Prove me wrong.

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by weedcatcher

So then, the definition of weapon, as you describe it, necessitates action against a human. I don’t think the pure definition of weapon is only to defend against, defeat or assault a human. Oxford in one place says it is “a thing designed for or used to inflict bodily harm or physical damage.”
Nowhere Does it specify against a human specifically. I inflict both bodily harm and damage against anything I am hunting. So I don’t think it is ignorance to say in my rifle is a weapon. I think it follows the strict definition.

It's all in the context a word is used and understood. For most people the word weapon is commonly associated with military, war, conflict, murder and crime, all with a negative connotation inferring that a 'weapon' is for nefarious, wicked or criminal acts against people. The media is quite good at using the term weapon to fear monger and implant a negative image for all guns and gun owners. For those non initiated in firearms and firearms lingo hearing the word weapon can be far more disturbing than calling them guns, firearms, rifles etc. i.e when media reports "a man was seen firing a weapon at the gravel pit on the outskirts of town" is far more alarming than if they reported "a man was seen with a rifle target shooting at the gravel pit".
It's all semantics but 'weapon' is becoming used or morphed to shed a negative light on firearms just as the term 'assault rifle' is used in the same way to shed a negative light toward semi automatic firearms.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by brendan's dad

This is the Criminal Code definition of a "Weapon"

“Weapon” means any thing used, designed to be used or intended for use

(a) in causing death or injury to any person, or
(b) for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person
and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a firearm.

So, as per the Criminal Code of Canada a firearm is defined as a weapon.

Firestick and hand cannon......is what I call my tools.

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Who cares....weapon, long gun, short gun, just lingo....words....meh

Nice to see the change.