I don't know if this is nit-picking but soldiers carry "weapons". I was taught to refer to rifles, firearms, sidearms and such but not "weapons".

Maybe it's a mentality you grow up with. A firearm is pretty much like a rake in that if you mis-store it, it could bonk you hard on the knoggin. Know how if you leave a rake tong-side up you can step on it and get a crack in the crown? But like any tool, any rake, shovel or axe (and indeed, any hoe) just extends your capability.

Try hunting rabbits with a rake. Try hunting deer with a hoe. The results render our intentions moot my good men! But try same with a trusty rifle and that's not a weapon, that's a very light and portable refrigerator that goes BOOM.

To close, I iterate: soldiers carry "weapons". All of the names for same from "firearm" to "Bessie" are preferable to be above "weapon" which has a loathsome ring, a dank and fowl ring to it.

Matthews' behavior on his show was gross and disgusting, whatever excuse he uses.  While Brock may explain Matthews' behavior, explanation does not excuse it in the least.  But it is more than just Matthews' abuse of a guest on his show - it is that Matthews is an apologist for government and cannot see the hypocrisy of his position vis-a-vis arms.  In this he is considerably different from Beck, if not necessarily from other talking heads.

 As for "Oyate's" comments about the use of the term "weapons" - yes, that IS nit-picking.  A weapon is no more the tool of a soldier only, than a dental pick or floss is the tool of a dentist only.  For a weapon (whether you call it a weapon or an "arm" or whatever) is nothing more than a class of tools.  To distinguish between a "weapon" in the hands of a soldier from a "firearm" in the hands of a civilian is to demonstrate the same sort of fear of firearms that permeates our society and political class.