Thread: What is a weapon?

I imagine licensed firearms or swords or anything like that. Usually a question around dementia/Alzheimers sufferers.

Ask them the question. They will be more than pleased to discuss it with you. It will be in both your interests to create a relationship . It would also be in your Dad's best interests.

Box ticking indeed.

Vague definitions also abound.

I collect knives. In particular folding knives. I see them as interesting pieces of engineering with incredible detail of design, material science/ metallurgy, folding / deployment action, etc. In the eyes of the law, some of them are 'weapons'. I see them as tools. A tool can become a weapon with intent (which I don't have). Furthermore, knife crime is virtually non-existent with a $500 folder, and moreso kitchen knives, box cutters shards of glass etc, so there are inconsistencies with the control of such examples as well... but story for another day.

Originally Posted by bob10

Ask them the question. They will be more than pleased to discuss it with you. It will be in both your interests to create a relationship . It would also be in your Dad's best interests.

I did and they were interested in my question. Will meet them tomorrow again same people I had dealings with in hospital.

Originally Posted by mekon76

I imagine licensed firearms or swords or anything like that. Usually a question around dementia/Alzheimers sufferers.

I tried to thank you for your reply but seems to not have happened.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Box ticking indeed.

Vague definitions also abound.

I collect knives. In particular folding knives. I see them as interesting pieces of engineering with incredible detail of design, material science/ metallurgy, folding / deployment action, etc. In the eyes of the law, some of them are 'weapons'. I see them as tools. A tool can become a weapon with intent (which I don't have). Furthermore, knife crime is virtually non-existent with a $500 folder, and moreso kitchen knives, box cutters shards of glass etc, so there are inconsistencies with the control of such examples as well... but story for another day.

Agree but when? Have no problem with discussion in this post

boa, what are you potentially worried about?

Originally Posted by boa

Agree but when? Have no problem with discussion in this post

I'm all for discussion, but I dont want to incriminate myself... so I'll focus on this statement:

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

In the eyes of the law, some of them are 'weapons'. I see them as tools. A tool can become a weapon with intent (which I don't have).

I think this is the crux of the issue. Intent.
Cavemen would clobber each other to death with stones or bone clubs. Today, many violent crimes are committed with weapons which are close by- crimes of opportunity if you will. But what sets that stone in the garden apart from the sawn off shotgun under the pillow is intent to act maliciously- which you cannot reasonably protect against.

People in roles where they need to be within a premises need to protect themselves againt obvious threats as best they can. My partner is in the same boat offering a mobile allied health service to children. Asking the question is the best way to go about identifying the level of risk- but will not mitigate the risk entirely. As other's have said, probably not best to scare them with comments about the kitchen knife block, and the shed full of pitchforks and axes... but you do have a valid question, and I hope you get some sense out of them.