In legal terms, what constitutes a "deadly weapon" under assault laws?

The definition of a "deadly weapon" under assault laws encompasses any object that is used in a manner that can inflict serious injury or death, not limited to traditional weapons. This means that a wide variety of items can be considered deadly if they are utilized with the intent to cause harm.

For instance, common household items can become deadly weapons when wielded aggressively or menacingly. The law often looks at the circumstances of how the object is used, rather than just the object itself, which broadens the scope significantly beyond firearms and knives. This understanding is crucial when considering the various contexts in which individuals might use common objects to cause harm, reinforcing that the intent and the circumstances are key factors in determining whether something qualifies as a deadly weapon.

The other options either restrict the definition too narrowly or incorrectly focus solely on the intent behind the use of the weapon, without considering how an object might be used in practice.