LOL! It could be mistaken for some sort of weapon. It needed some assembly each time. These things are seriously expensive if you are going for professional level, but I assume the one the school gave me was more basic. I just made low frequency parps with it.
My daughters trumpet is quite basic and looks well used. One of the buttons is missing its sort of pearl inlay. I am quite glad they at least gave her one though for the reasons you say. They cost a lot!