[Non-canon] The Possible Existence of Firearms

[Anneal 2,197]

So you know about firearms; they're portable items military, paramilitary, and non-military people alike use that eject projectiles, mostly bullets. Seeing how it's used, it's not possible that ponies in Equestria use it.

 

Or is it?

 

First of all, it isn't about the false references in the show. This whole topic is non-canonical, so it shouldn't be disputed whether it is ACTUALLY in the show or not, but instead defending or going against why it could or couldn't be. Of course, I would be defending it, but only because I have some good reasons why they do.

 

The first immediate problem everyone would point out: they can't hold them. On the contrary, they can. Unicorns can use it with magic, obviously. Earth ponies would be a different matter, however. People have suggested that they use their mouth to use a gun, but that would be unwise, since the recoil of the gun would dislocate the jaw and do internal damage, or even poison themselves. 

 

So how do they do it? If the firearm was a rifle or carbine of such, they could latch or tie it onto their bodies and shoot it. The sights and the trigger can be specially modified for that use so they shoot accurately. Or they place a detachable stock on the gun and tie it onto them, moving the gun forward and allowing them to easily pull the trigger, also acting on reducing some of the recoil. The stock would be useful and can be universally used on nearly any firearm. For pistols and revolvers, they can use the method previously stated, or just simply shoot it with one hoof having a device to pull the trigger, with the downside of the recoil most likely throwing the bullets off target. Alternatively, the trigger can be made big enough for a whole hoof to put in, though with the decrease of accuracy.

 

Pegasi would use it while they are airborne, or use the method previously stated for earth ponies. Some firearms can be specially created for for more simple use; for example, a button or lever can be used to fire the weapon. (And yes, it will work. 20th century and a number of 19th century firearms have the chamber bolt in the back or the front. If the trigger is pulled, it created a chain reaction where a part that is preventing the bolt from firing the bolt is let off. It would still work when replaced by a button or lever.)

 

So I've explained how firearms are plausible for pony usage, but that doesn't mean that every firearm is present. My best guess if that if Equestria DOES have firearms, most of them would be the lever, bolt, or revolving rifles and carbines, single-action/ double-action revolvers, and semi-automatic pistols. Sub-machine guns are either rare or non-existent; assault rifles, personal defense weapons, machine pistols, rocket launchers, semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles and carbines are out of the question. This is only assuming that the firearm technology is equal to their current technology; since they would barely be using it, it could be mixed. (I usually draw the line to the Type 99 LMG and Sten submachine gun.)

 

I do not think, however, that ponies would even use firearms in the first place. Equestria is rarely, if not ever, involved in warfare, therefore they do not need it. Even if they are still present in the military and Royal Guard, they are less preferred over other weapons such as the spear or the bow. This would make more sense; firearms makes an extremely loud noise when fired, while other "medieval" weapons are preferred since they are more silent and ensures more damage upon an enemy. (Slashing, stabbing, and slicing is more deadly than a gunshot. Same with arrows, since arrows are extremely difficult to remove.) 

 

But, like I said, they have firearms, or the technology to create firearms if they need it, but I don't see them needing it. And I don't like seeing a pony EVER having the cutie mark of a firearm; it's something I frown upon a lot, especially when that firearms is a gun in real life or a reference to that gun, since that's literally using it as your commercial trademark. Just don't do it. 

 

[Scootalove 10,689]

They have the technology opportunities to make firearms but they wouldn't need them because having magic and strength sounds more useful to them then trying to hold guns when they don't have hands. I'd expect them to have bows and arrows more than having firearms that can kill a pony which goes against the meaning of friendship. But after all, it's a possibility.

[MichaelxXxTrixie 433]

They could make firearms I guess if they wanted too, but I don't think the thought even comes across because Equestria has a generally peaceful society.

 

They'd hold the guns the same way they hold everything else, magically with there hooves.

[hawkflame 3,310]

Do Party Cannons count as firearms?  I mean, it *was* used as a weapon once...

 

My guess is that actual *guns* would be impractical to use, and anything more than a spear or a lance (which we've seen already) could be covered by unicorn magic.  Why need a gun when you could just blast them with your horn?

[Littlepip357 17]

If there was firearms in Equestria like others have said they would be not really be needed but as far as using them I would have to reference fallout: equestria Most low-cailber small arms would be mouth held for anyone that isn't a unicorn and for your larger caliber like .50 bmg you would have to have some type of saddle mounted setup were you pull levers to fire, reload, and switch ammo types

[techno915 408]

i think they do have fire arms. where else would they get the term "party cannon" from? and also, how would rainbow dash know what a tank is if tanks didn't exist?

[An Old Head 4,816]

They do have the party cannon, but firearms are meant to use gunpowder, no? And I very much doubt Pinkie Pie would fire confetti from her cannon with actual gunpowder :3

 

What I did notice, however, was that they'd know about bows and arrows. Remember when Twilight was getting her Gala dress designed? She told Rarity "Orion has three stars on his belt, not four." Orion was a Greek hunter and used a bow and arrow!

[Anneal 2,197]

  On 2013-08-31 at 4:01 PM, hawkflame said:

Do Party Cannons count as firearms?  I mean, it *was* used as a weapon once...

Technically it would be artillery, not a firearm. Firearms are portable (you can literally carry it) guns. Volley guns, howitzers, mortars, cannons, and rocket artillery. (most likely non-existent in Equestria) Field guns and mounted machine guns also count, but it depends on whether it's portable (in some cases light machine guns can be mounted or carried.)

 

 

  On 2013-08-31 at 5:28 PM, techno915 said:

i think they do have fire arms. where else would they get the term "party cannon" from? and also, how would rainbow dash know what a tank is if tanks didn't exist?

It could have been implied to other meanings. It could mean a water supply, storage, and transporter; Rainbow Dash could be using that as a comparison to it's heavy armor. 

 

Another meaning would be a prison cell mainly for receiving new prisoners. Don't think she meant that, however.

 

 

  On 2013-08-31 at 5:25 PM, a_500lb_midgit said:

If there was firearms in Equestria like others have said they would be not really be needed but as far as using them I would have to reference fallout: equestria Most low-cailber small arms would be mouth held for anyone that isn't a unicorn and for your larger caliber like .50 bmg you would have to have some type of saddle mounted setup were you pull levers to fire, reload, and switch ammo types

Honestly, a .32 caliber or even a .22 caliber will propose some danger when mouth-held. And even if the recoil doesn't hurt the pony, a good deal of blowback pistols will, therefore a good deal of pistols and revolvers would be limited for mouth use.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Cartophile

[techno915 408]

  On 2013-08-31 at 5:44 PM, Cartophile said:

It could have been implied to other meanings. It could mean a water supply, storage, and transporter; Rainbow Dash could be using that as a comparison to it's heavy armor. 

true, i guess. but for the heavy armor, are you talking about armor on the supposed "water tank" or the vehicle tank? if it's comparing it to the vehicle, then they have to know about them in order to compare them.