Nonweapons

Nonweapons is a broad, informal category used to describe objects that are not designed or intended to function as weapons. In inventories, museums, and some academic or gaming contexts, nonweapons serves as a counterpart to weapons to help organize items by purpose rather than by form. Because there is no universal standard for classification, the boundaries of nonweapons can vary across disciplines and jurisdictions.

The scope of nonweapons is wide. It includes tools and equipment, clothing and shelter, medical supplies, food and water, electronics and communication devices, documents and maps, transportation and vehicles, as well as recreational, artistic, and household items. In museums or archival work, nonweapons encompasses artifacts whose primary purpose is nonviolent use, while in video games, nonweapons refer to items in an inventory that provide utility, information, or support rather than direct combat capability.

Ambiguities can arise with edge cases. A knife or crowbar may be considered a nonweapon in everyday contexts but can be used as a weapon, depending on design, intent, and jurisdiction. Similarly, dual-use items such as multitools, drones, or certain software can serve benign purposes yet have weaponizable potential. Classifications therefore depend on intended use, design purpose, and local regulations.

In practice, labeling items as nonweapons aids risk assessment, inventory management, and curatorial or gameplay decisions by clarifying that the item’s primary function is nonviolent.