It's sort of funny if archimedes said that, because in Fallout one of the most powerful weapons created is named after him.
Yeh, Given the fact it was named after him, as he tried to implement the idea of a Death Ray, using reflective shields to concentrate the sun's rays to burn enemy fleets, in the harbor. That's a far cry from a 9mm.
EDIT : I really don't know how to answer the OP. In regards to the later of the question..Yes, it's part of the game.