- deadly weapon
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deadly weap·on n: an object whose purpose is to cause death or that when used as an instrument of offense is capable of causing death or sometimes serious bodily harm compare dangerous weapon◇ An unloaded firearm has been generally held to be a deadly weapon. Although usu. distinct, the terms deadly weapon and dangerous weapon are sometimes used interchangeably.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- deadly weapon
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n.A weapon or instrument that is capable of killing someone, whether because of its inherent nature (such as a gun) or the way it is used (such as a hammer). See also weapon
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
- deadly weapon
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A gun or other instrument, substance, or device, which is used or intended to be used in a way that is likely to cause death. A prosecutor who charges a defendant with "assault with a deadly weapon" must prove not only that the defendant assaulted the victim, but did so with a device that was capable of causing death. Some laws list "deadly weapons per se," which are weapons that by themselves are likely to cause death, such as a gun, regardless of the user's intent.Category: Criminal LawCategory: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
- deadly weapon
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n.any weapon which can kill. This includes not only weapons which are intended to do harm like a gun or knife, but also blunt instruments like clubs, baseball bats, monkey wrenches, an automobile or any object which actually causes death. This becomes important when trying to prove criminal charges brought for assault with a deadly weapon. In a few 1990s cases courts have found rocks and even penises of AIDS sufferers as "deadly weapons."
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.