Purpose of a Gun?

[Dan_Eastvale]

Guns were originally invented exclusively to kill.
Animals and people

Even if Olympics shooters never hunt and would never use them for self defense

[MyOdessa]

Recently this topic came up . I said a gun is designed to launch a projectile , others disagreed, some vehemently .

Yes.

Others are just confused.

[SharedShots]

When the gun was invented the purpose, it had then and still has today are pretty much the same. What was lacking at the time of the invention was the proper language to define the purpose. The 2nd A provides that language and from that all other uses can be derived.



preservation of freedom
self defense
hunting
mere possession
guard against tyranny
creating armed forces
sporting uses

All are derived. There are many things we have now that were created or invented long before the language we use today existed to define their purpose.

A gun is a means to allow a person to exercise a right. When the gun was invented, it's purpose wasn't to propel a projectile, that was the action using the means (the gun). The purpose then as it is now remains the same, to enable a person to exercise a right from which all other activities using the gun were just a result. What wasn't present when the gun was created was the simple text defining the basic right and it might not have even been recognized in a formal way before the invention.

Think about the purpose of climbing a mountain. Its a cliche but works here. Is it to get to the top? Sure. Is it for enjoyment, a test of physical and mental ability, a test of endurance? Absolutely. But when you get to the most basic purpose it seems to come down to "because I can" and that is claimed as a right to do it. The gun is not much different. First came the "because I can" and seen as a right to do it. Everything else came after that. The 2nd/A came along and simply stated it clearly, "because you can, as a right" and within that right to invent them is part of it. Lots of things can propel a projectile, the gun just uses different means to do it. How is the purpose of the gun to propel a projectile when your arm can do it too? The gun makes it more efficient, that is all. The purpose of propelling projectiles was met centuries before the gun was invented. The gun just made it easier among other things.

The person who invented the gun/firearm might have done so to let them engage in some activity but there was something before that, their right to create and possess it. That was the purpose and everything after that was another result.

Take almost anything someone does and drill down by asking them question about why they do it. From making a bicycle to writing a computer program to the invention of anything - including the gun. Keep asking the purpose and eventually the answer is something like because they want to and because they can. THAT is the purpose. Everything else comes after that.

Those who say the purpose of the gun was to kill (whatever the reason) are confusing purpose with results. They are not the same thing.

.

[Divernhunter]

for me to enjoy---pure and simple!

[L84CABO]

Idiot leftists will often state that the only purpose of a gun is for killing people.

I simply shrug and say, "some people need killing."

Which tends to make them apoplectic.

[Thefeeder]

><

What is the purpose of a hammer in San Francisco?

[tawadc95]

To deliver a projectile to a remote intended target where aimed.

[Like2fly]

Short list

You are correct, sir... a gun is designed to launch a projectile.

The correct follow up question is "What is a shooter's purpose in launching a projectile, or having the capacity to launch a projectile using a gun?"

For which, there are nearly as many answers as there are gun owners, which can include:
competition (many shooting sports)
self-defense (at home or not)
community protection (law enforcement, neighborhood watch post-disaster, rooftop Koreans, armed services)
obtaining food (hunting)
controlling wildlife populations
eradicating vermin (pest control)
intimidation (ex. - road rage, robbery)
murder

You may reply with a famous quote by a former US President - Theodore Roosevelt:
"A vote is like a rifle... it's usefulness depends upon the character of the user"

There are shooters with both innocent and with unsavory motives for launching projectiles or simply wielding a firearm. No need to sugar coat it. Bad people do bad things with guns. Good people do good things with guns. The coin has two sides, any honest person will admit this or risk not being taken seriously.

Well your list was a good start but I would add one of the primary purposes of a gun is to keep the government in check and prevent its progression towards tyrany.

[Sure Shot 45]

It's a weapon, designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage. The purpose of a gun depends on the situation.

[19K]

Historically, as weapons of war solely to kill the enemy, then they became tools of different types of work.

They were made to kill people better than other ballistic weapons (arrows, spears, catapults, etc) and as a psychological weapon. A now lightly armored musketeer could take out a knight before he could get close enough to kill him.


Military technology then trickeled down to civilian use. They were for target (entertainment), hunting, and self defense.

[19K]

Here you go.

[plumbum]

A gun is simply a tool designed to launch a specific projectile. The purpose is dependent upon the design choice - handguns for carry, rifles for long range, shotguns for birds on the wing and so on. A gun does not have intent, only a human has intent.

[Subotai]

To kill commies.

[acaligunner]

Firearms are tools, tools that can be used for various situations.

Choose wisely ~

[ja308]

Thanx to all who added info to this topic. I enjoyed reading the comments .