What is armed robbery?

Armed robbery is specifically defined as a theft that includes the use or display of a weapon, typically a firearm, during the commission of the crime. This definition distinguishes armed robbery from other types of robbery by the element of weapons involvement, which increases the severity of the offense both in terms of legal consequences and the potential for violence.

In the context of the other options, robbery without a weapon does not qualify as armed robbery; physical confrontation, while serious, does not necessarily involve a weapon; and robbery of a financial institution can occur in various forms, not all of which are armed. However, option B describes the core component that elevates the criminal act to armed robbery, emphasizing the presence of a weapon which significantly heightens the risk to victims and law enforcement, thereby warranting stricter legal repercussions.