Interesting thought. Indeed, the person might think it’s some sort of exotic bolt thrower.

Pliny: “Fascinating! May I see it? I’m interested in this machine’s functioning!”

Me, overwhelmed by the interest of such an illustrious scholar: “Oh, of course!”

Pliny: “How does it activate?”

Me: “You just point it at what you want to kill and pull the trigger, which launches the projectile.”

Pliny, pointing the pistol at me: “You are going to help me rescue Pomponianus.”