Gun Control Reform Activism

What, after all, is the purpose of a gun? The purpose of a gun–if we’re being honest–is to kill something. It’s a tool that has enough power, when used properly (and very often improperly) to kill. Hunting rifles and shotguns are for killing animals. Handguns–if we’re being honest–are for killing people. That’s the purpose behind their design–...

Gun Lobby often claims guns are tools. Websters 1828 confirms this somewhat in 2ndA contemporary terms circa early 1800's, in that muskets were considered instruments, and tools of destruction:

Websters 1828 Dictionary: instrument IN'STRUMENT, n. [L. instrumentum, from instruo, to prepare; that which is prepared.]
1. A tool; that by which work is performed or any thing is effected; as a knife, a hammer, a saw, a plow, &c. Swords, muskets and cannon are instruments of destruction.
https://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/instrument

I want to repeat that - the firearm of the day circa 1828, was considered a tool of destruction:

websters dictionary 1828: Swords, muskets and cannon are instruments of destruction.

We can follow the progression in websters to 1844 & 1913:

1844 websters dictionary: MUSK'ET, n. A species of fire-arms used in war, and fired by means of a lighted match. This manner of firing was in use as late as the civil war in England. But the proper musket is no longer in use. The name, however, in common speech, is yet applied to fuses or fire-locks fired by a spring lock.

1913 websters: Mus"ket A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army. It was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted. This arm has been generally superseded by the rifle
https://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/musket

Supports firearms being used for common defense. No mention of muskets being used for individual purpose - tho they were sometimes historically used for hunting, generally birds with birdshot. Big game was considered too risky since the musket shot was considered unreliable - misfire, inaccurate, and only one shot.