Deadly weapon
A deadly weapon, sometimes dangerous weapon, is a statutory definition listing certain items which can inflict mortal or great bodily harm. In addition, deadly weapon statutes often contain "catch all" provisions which describe abilities used to designate other implements as deadly weapons.
Whether an item can actually inflict such harm often does not affect the designation. For example, an unloaded gun or a gun with a trigger lock are often treated like any other firearm.
Examples of deadly weapons
A deadly weapon is usually defined as a firearm or any object designed, made, or adapted for the purposes of inflicting death or serious physical injury. In addition to all firearms, the term deadly weapon encompasses knives of a certain length (usually three inches or longer, depending on jurisdiction), and in almost all jurisdictions includes the switchblade, gravity knife, ballistic knife, stiletto, ice pick, sword, dagger, billy club, blackjack, bludgeon, brass knuckles, nunchaku (fighting sticks), and shuriken (throwing stars), among other weapons.
In some jurisdictions, a distinction is made between deadly weapons and destructive devices, such as explosives, incendiary or poison gas bombs, grenades, landmines, rockets, missiles, or similar devices, including the unassembled components from which such devices can be made.
According to popular belief, holding a black belt (or comparable rank) in a martial art requires one to register parts of one's body as deadly or dangerous weapons. While some dojos require black belts to buy registration cards, the government itself does not register black belts as deadly or dangerous weapons. However, holding a black belt will influence court decisions concerning self defense. [1]
In 19th century France, a closed fist was considered a deadly weapon and thus combantants would kick or strike each other with an open-palmed slap.
In Wisconsin
For example: in Wisconsin, statute §939.22(10) defines dangerous weapon:
"Dangerous weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (4); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Penalty enhancer
The use or possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime often constitutes a penalty enhancer. The deadly weapon penalty enhancer is premised on a belief that commission of the particular crime is inherently more dangerous.
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