This heading covers military weapons other than revolvers, pistols, and edged side arms such as swords and bayonets — which have their own dedicated headings. In practice, this heading captures crew-served and vehicle-mounted weapons: artillery, mortars, anti-tank guns, rocket launchers, and similar systems. The classification boundary is defined by weapon type and intended military use, not by caliber alone.

Demilitarization or deactivation does not automatically remove an article from ITAR control. Whether a deactivated weapon remains a defense article depends on the specific demilitarization standard applied and DDTC's determination. Importers of deactivated military weapons should obtain a commodity jurisdiction determination from the State Department before assuming ITAR controls do not apply.