Frankly, that's just irrelevant semantics, and "malicious" is a value judgement that you are placing on the word. TheFreeDictionary.com describes the word as meaning:Thomas wrote:I hate calling guns weapons. In my opinion, a weapon is just a tool that is used for malicious purposes.
In other words, "weapon" is a neutral term, and it is only the intent of its bearer that is either malicious or noble. Attaching emotional content to its use is the domain of fuzzy-minded granola eaters like the Brady Bunch. Asking people to take a stand on the use of one word over the other because of that emotional content is to ask them to endorse a sort of verbal political correctness. I use the terms interchangeably, and I don't particularly care if anybody is put off by that. But you didn't allow "I don't care and I use the terms interchangeably" as an option, so I couldn't answer your poll.1. An instrument of attack or defense in combat, as a gun, missile, or sword.
2. Zoology A part or organ, such as a claw or stinger, used by an animal in attack or defense.
3. A means used to defend against or defeat another: Logic was her weapon.
A more accurate way of looking at it is that weapons are category of tools, just as as other types of tools could be categorized as edged tools, or striking tools, or fastening tools. And within the category of "weapons," there exist subcategories like "knives," "guns," and "clubs," just as within the category of "fastening" tools might be found "wrenches," "screwdrivers," and "pliers." Etc., etc., etc. In other words, "weapon" is merely a hierarchical term in the categorizing of tools, and it is devoid of value judgement.