In the strictest legal sense, a deadly weapon is defined as any object or instrumentality used in a manner likely to cause death or great bodily harm, such as a gun or a knife. A deadly weapon essentially causes enough force to kill another person or inflict serious bodily harm if used in a plunging, striking, or cutting motion.
Under state and federal laws, certain items such as firearms, explosives, and brass knuckles are considered deadly weapons per se. This means that their mere possession can be sufficient enough evidence to determine whether it is being used as a deadly weapon.
Deadly Weapons in Modern Society
It is important to keep in mind that the use of deadly weapons today is quite different from what it was in the past. Recently, advances in technology such as 3D printing have made it easier to create and manufacture dangerous weapons. Additionally, certain items which in the past were considered non-deadly weapons, such as golf clubs or even a baseball bat, can now be used in a manner that can be considered deadly.
As such, it is important to remember that the use of a deadly weapon is not limited to traditional objects such as guns and knives. There can be cases where a defendant can be charged with using a non-traditional object as a deadly weapon if it is used in a dangerous manner.