Defining Weapon in Law

[Sandgroper]

Got this e-mail from our Club Chairman -

I have started a petition on the House of Commons website to try and get the word “Weapon” defined in law.

Why bother with this? Well, if, like me, you are tired of the media and Establishment’s orchestrated vilification of our sport / pastime then I think it’s time for a grassroots re-education of Joe Public. To start with this I think we have to move away from the current accepted nomenclature used and this nomenclature includes liberal usage of the word “Weapon”. My assertion is we are not out to injure anyone so we are not using “weapons”, we are using “firearms” or “airguns”.

The Scottish Parliament will introduce legislation to “control” the use and possession of airguns, in Scotland. This, they will call an “Air Weapon Certificate”. I have approached them regarding use of the word “Weapon”, in the title, and they have come back saying this is consistent with Westminster terminology. I know that many of us are ex-service and, during our time in the services, we handled such things as SLRs, LMGs, GPMGs and pistols and these were referred to as “personal weapons” and every year we had to complete an “Annual Personal Weapons Test” because, as servants of the State, we could be called upon to visit injury upon enemies of the State using these items. My argument is, and particularly when there is a diminishing reservoir of ex-service personnel, that we have a media led perception problem. We are, more and more, seen as armed and dangerous gun nuts instead of that section of society which is more likely to be law-abiding than any other.

If you agree with my argument I would be grateful if you could give it your widest distribution as well as signing the petition at:-

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/114178

Cheers

[nickb834]

I can see where this is coming from but respectfully I disagree - I believe we should use firearm / weapon interchangeably, and that by having to be careful about the language to use | avoid that we're doing ourselves a disservice.

It would be better served if we took the exact opposite approach - "there are over a million weapons in this country legally held by responsible and safe shooters - ergo; what's the problem?"

I applaud your efforts to make things better for shooters but I don't think this is the way to do it nor a fight worth having.

[daman]

Surely the definition of weapon has to be far, far broader than firearm?

Just from where I'm sitting I can see a knife, fork and plate all of which in certain circumstances could be used/described as weapons.

I'd agree that when we use our firearms for target shooting they are not weapons, I'm not sure if I'd call them weapons or not for vermin or stalking, when used by the military they are definitely weapons.

The problem is that things can be used for different purposes than their designed intent, and almost anything can become a weapon if someone chooses to make it so.

-daman

[Sandgroper]

I have no particular feelings either way about terminology - I'm just posting it on behalf of our club's Chairman who started, and feels strongly about it.

[Chuck]

A rolled up newpaper or a pen is a makeshift weapon..................even a water pistol apparently.

I can see where he's coming from - but blind ideology trumps facts mate.

[DOGGER2UK]

but blind ideology trumps facts mate.

Would that be Donald ?

[Blackstuff]

I 100% agree with him and have signed. 'Weapon' is a provocative/emotive word for most people, where as 'firearm' (for most) is not. Most dictionary definitions of the word 'weapon' is "An object used for defence or offence", neither of which is a 'good reason' to be granted a S1/S2 FAC/SGC in this country. Introduce CCW and i'll gladly refer to those firearms as weapons.

[ovenpaa]

The Viking always makes a point of correcting our FEO when he refers to a rifle as a 'weapon' They are Firearms as far as we are concerned.

[joe]

I 100% agree with him and have signed. 'Weapon' is a provocative/emotive word for most people, where as 'firearm' (for most) is not. Most dictionary definitions of the word 'weapon' is "An object used for defence or offence", neither of which is a 'good reason' to be granted a S1/S2 FAC/SGC in this country. Introduce CCW and i'll gladly refer to those firearms as weapons.

Or even just for home protection which is more relistic then ccw ever being allowed here

[dromia]

Having a weapon implies that you intend to use it to do harm to others with it.

As civilian shooters our firearms are owned and used without any intent to do harm to others therefore they are firearms.

I also correct firearms licensing when the say weapons, if they persist I say I cannot help them as I do not possess any weapons.