What is a personal defense weapon (PDW)?
Q: What is a personal defense weapon (PDW)?
A: A PDW is a light, compact, and easy to use firearm, which is usually agreed upon as being somewhere between a submachine gun and an assault rifle.
Q: How do people define a PDW?
A: The definition of a PDW varies depending on context and who you ask. Some people still say it is a short-barreled rifle (SBR).
Q: What is regulated in the United States by the ATF?
A: Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) are regulated in the United States by the ATF.
Q: What is "selective fire" in SBRs?
A: "Selective fire" in SBRs means you can switch between semi-automatic or fully automatic fire.
Q: What does the United States Department of Homeland Security define as a PDW?
A: The United States Department of Homeland Security defines a personal defense weapon as an M4 carbine (or a Colt AR-15 civilian semi-automatic rifle).
Q: What is proposed in the Czech Republic regarding a constitutional amendment?
A: The Czech Republic has proposed a constitutional amendment which would allow its citizens to own and keep PDWs as a way to discourage terrorists.
Q: What kind of firearm is often included in some governments' definition of PDWs?
A: Handguns are often included in some governments' definition of PDWs, such as in the Czech Republic.
