Waffen

Waffen is the German word for weapons or arms. It denotes devices designed to injure, kill, or deter opponents, and covers a broad range from traditional melee arms to modern firearms and other offensive or defensive technologies. The term also appears in legal and cultural contexts, such as Waffenrecht (weapons law) and the arms trade.

Categories include small arms (handguns, rifles, shotguns), edged and bladed weapons (sabers, knives), artillery and armored systems, missiles and rockets, and munitions such as explosives. Non-lethal and defensive tools (stun devices, pepper spray, batons) are sometimes included under broader usage. In international discourse, weapons also covers chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear capabilities, which are subject to separate prohibitions and treaties.

Historically, weapons have evolved from stone and bronze tools to iron implements, the invention of gunpowder and firearms, and, in the 20th and 21st centuries, automated, guided, and remotely operated systems. Developments in technology and doctrine have continually reshaped warfare, defense, and security.

Regulation of Waffen varies by country and is shaped by national safety, criminal, and military needs. International law governs armed conflict and arms transfers through treaties and conventions, including the Arms Trade Treaty, the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, and the Geneva Conventions. Domestic systems address licensing, possession, and sale, with ongoing debates about security, rights, and responsible ownership.