Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Under Harris v. Commonwealth, what is required for an item to be considered a "weapon"?

1. It must be used in self-defense

2. It must be designed for fighting purposes

3. It must be a firearm

4. It must be carried in public

The correct answer is: It must be designed for fighting purposes

In the context of Harris v. Commonwealth, an item is considered a "weapon" if it is designed for fighting purposes. This definition focuses on the inherent characteristics of the item rather than its use or where it is carried. The ruling highlights that the intended design of an object—specifically, whether it was meant to inflict harm—plays a crucial role in categorizing it as a weapon. The emphasis on design means that items can be classified as weapons regardless of the intent behind their use in a particular situation (self-defense, for example). This distinguishes the legal definition from more subjective interpretations of what might constitute a weapon based on context or user intentions.