👉 A lived weapon is a concept that refers to the ways in which individuals, communities, or groups actively engage with and utilize violence or the threat of violence as a means of survival, resistance, or assertion of power in their daily lives. This can manifest in various forms, from subtle acts of intimidation or sabotage to more overt forms of armed conflict. The lived weapon perspective emphasizes that violence is not merely a tool of state actors or organized groups but is also experienced and employed by everyday people in their interactions, often as a response to systemic inequalities, oppression, or the need for self-protection. It highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of violence in society, showing how it is deeply embedded in social, economic, and political contexts.
