First out side of the military or law enforcement I have never heard of a sporting arm/rifle called a weapon. It is just a point of view implying or seeing it as just for self defence or plain offensive actions. People in shooting sports use just simple discriptions and do not imply more than that. We use Guns, Rifles, Shotguns, Bows, etc. andthey are just tools and just that tools. After all golf clubs kill to but why would anyone with out motive refer to one as a weapon? Chew on that awhile.

Next trust your instinct if something doesn't seem right just move on and don't give it a second thought.