How many guns is considered an arsenal?

How Many Guns is Considered an Arsenal?

The term "arsenal" is often associated with a large collection of weapons, but the exact number of guns that constitutes an arsenal is subjective and can vary depending on the context. In this article, we will explore the different perspectives on what constitutes an arsenal and examine the various factors that contribute to the definition.

Legal Definition

In legal terms, an arsenal is typically defined as a large quantity of weapons, explosives, or ammunition that is intended for military or paramilitary use. The United States Code defines an arsenal as "a place or establishment where arms, ammunition, and other military supplies are manufactured, stored, or issued" (18 USC § 921(a)(13)). This definition suggests that an arsenal is a large-scale facility or repository of weapons, rather than a personal collection.

Common Definitions

In everyday language, an arsenal is often referred to as a large collection of weapons, but the exact number of guns that constitutes an arsenal is not universally agreed upon. Some common definitions of an arsenal include:

• 5-10 guns: According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, a person is considered to be a dealer in firearms if they possess more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 5 firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns (18 USC § 921(a)(11)).
• 10-20 guns: The National Rifle Association (NRA) defines an arsenal as a collection of 10-20 firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns (NRA, n.d.).
• 20-50 guns: Some law enforcement agencies consider a collection of 20-50 firearms to be an arsenal, although this definition is not universally accepted (FBI, n.d.).

Factors Contributing to the Definition

Several factors contribute to the definition of an arsenal, including:

• Purpose: Is the collection of weapons intended for personal use, recreational use, or military/paramilitary use?
• Quantity: How many weapons are in the collection?
• Type of weapons: Are the weapons handguns, rifles, shotguns, or other types of firearms?
• Location: Is the collection stored in a single location or spread out over multiple locations?
• Owner: Who owns the collection of weapons? Is it an individual, a business, or a government agency?

Case Studies

Several high-profile cases have highlighted the importance of defining an arsenal. For example:

• The AR-15 case: In 2013, a man in Texas was arrested for possessing 20 AR-15 rifles, which were considered an arsenal by law enforcement (KXAN, 2013).
• The AK-47 case: In 2019, a man in California was arrested for possessing 10 AK-47 rifles, which were considered an arsenal by law enforcement (NBC Bay Area, 2019).

Table: Examples of Arsenal Definitions

Conclusion

In conclusion, the number of guns that constitutes an arsenal is subjective and can vary depending on the context. While legal definitions and common definitions of an arsenal exist, they are not universally accepted. Factors such as purpose, quantity, type of weapons, location, and owner all contribute to the definition of an arsenal. Ultimately, the definition of an arsenal will depend on the specific circumstances and the context in which it is being used.

References

FBI. (n.d.). Firearms and Other Weapons. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/scientific-analysis/firearms-and-other-weapons

Gun Control Act of 1968. 18 USC § 921(a)(13).

KXAN. (2013). Man arrested for possessing 20 AR-15 rifles. Retrieved from https://www.kxan.com/news/man-arrested-for-possessing-20-ar-15-rifles/

NBC Bay Area. (2019). California Man Arrested for Possessing 10 AK-47 Rifles. Retrieved from https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/california-man-arrested-for-possessing-10-ak-47-rifles/2141444/

National Rifle Association. (n.d.). What is an Arsenal? Retrieved from https://www.nra.org/what-is-an-arsenal