Arms
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Anything that a man wears for his defense, or takes in his hands, or uses in his anger, to cast at or strike at another.
Co. Litt. 161b, 162a; Cromp. Jus. Peace, 65; Cunningham.
Every description of weapon, offensive and defensive.
4 Ark. 21.
The constitution of the United States (Amend, art. 2) declares that, "a well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." This has been held to mean only such arms as are adapted to military purposes.
3 Heisk. (Tenn.) 179; 35 Tex. 476.
Signs of arms, or drawings, painted on shields, banners, and the like. The arms of the United States are described in the resolution of congress of June 20, 1782.