# Legality of carrying and using a weapon designed as a weapon vs using a tool as a weapon

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 2, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556 "2017-11-02T23:34:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556/21 "2017-11-04T04:06:17Z")

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> [@rbroome](#):
>
> As a law enforcement officer I believe you would agree that given the choice surrendering the cash in the till is by far the best choice if that works.

I wouldn’t tell someone to never shoot at an armed robber any more than I would tell them to always shoot at one. There are way too many variables during each specific robbery that make either statement indefensible.

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**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556/22 "2017-11-04T07:37:08Z")

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So, if I’m understanding correctly, the best solution is to drive around a panel truck filled with armaments and tell anyone who asks you’re a handyman.

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556/23 "2017-11-05T09:14:11Z")

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> [@Senegoid](#):
>
> Would anyone ever be arrested or charged merely for possession of a hammer, length of pipe, etc., or would that come into play only after one uses such an item as a weapon?

It’s pretty common for police to stop someone hanging around a deserted business district late at night, on suspicion. Then if they find tools like a large screwdriver, or a bolt cutter in their possession, they are charged with possessing burglary tools, even if the tools haven’t been used for that. And they are often convicted in court, and the convictions upheld.

I would expect the same might apply to such ‘tools’ being considered as weapons.

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**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-carrying-and-using-a-weapon-designed-as-a-weapon-vs-using-a-tool-as-a-weapon/800556/24 "2017-11-05T09:27:05Z")

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> [@Orwell](#):
>
> As to carrying a tool to use as a weapon, it seems clear that one should always answer that they possess the tool or recreational implement for its intended use - play baseball, play golf, fix plumbing, hammer metal, etc.

Its like that old piece of advice I’ve seen brought up in TV shows, if you’re carrying a bat in your trunk for protection, also carry a glove and baseball beside it so you can legally claim you keep them around for when you feel like playing an impromptu game with friends.

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