gun
Projectile-launching weapon
Guns that are weapons range in size from hand-held—a handgun—to jumbo sized, such as a cannon.
The essential features of a gun are a tube through which a high-speed projectile is fired, and a mechanism for making this happen.
Guns that aren’t weapons retain some of their features: usually the trigger, barrel, or projectile: glue gun, laser gun.
If you jump the gun, you start too soon; the expression references the harmless starting pistol fired to begin a race.
When you gun someone down, you shoot them with a real gun.
If you are gunning for something, you actively support it: the hardliners are gunning for execution.
What initiates action
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
- bulletFired metal projectile
- magazineBound periodical with articles
revolver · rifle · pistol · caliber · cartridge · recoil · holster · safety
Ground combat troops
- soldierArmed forces member
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
armory · marksman · sniper · squad · platoon · marines · tactical · engagement
Short-barreled artillery piece
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- shellHard outer covering
ordnance · emplacement · bombardment · turret · antiaircraft · siege · barrage · flak
Discharging a weapon
- massacreLarge-scale unlawful killing
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- assaultViolent offensive act
bloodshed · fatalities · victims · survivors · wound · crossfire · drive-by · armed robbery
Authority to direct
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- amendmentChange to official text
- lobbyEntryway or influence-seeking
regulation · ban · reform · advocacy · ownership · background check · permit · concealed carry
Antlered hoofed mammal
- duckWaterbird that quacks
- gameOrganized play or sport
- seasonYearly division or series
- licenseFormal grant of permission
scope · retriever · buckshot · quarry · pheasant · waterfowl · upland · safari
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- blunderbussFlare-muzzled scatter weapon
- matchlockCord-ignited gun mechanism
- arquebusEarly portable firearm
percussion cap · muzzleloader · dueling pistol · powder horn · ramrod · bayonet · long rifle · pepperbox
trigger
What initiates action
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
- bulletFired metal projectile
magazine · revolver · rifle · pistol · caliber · cartridge · recoil · holster · safety · sights
infantry
Ground combat troops
arsenal · armory · marksman · sniper · squad · platoon · marines · tactical · engagement · sentry
howitzer
Short-barreled artillery piece
shell · ordnance · emplacement · bombardment · turret · antiaircraft · siege · barrage · flak · breech
shooting
Discharging a weapon
- massacreLarge-scale unlawful killing
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
assault · bloodshed · fatalities · victims · survivors · wound · crossfire · drive-by · armed robbery · manslaughter
control
Authority to direct
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- amendmentChange to official text
lobby · regulation · ban · reform · advocacy · ownership · background check · permit · concealed carry · open carry
deer
Antlered hoofed mammal
license · scope · retriever · buckshot · quarry · pheasant · waterfowl · upland · safari · boar
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- blunderbussFlare-muzzled scatter weapon
- matchlockCord-ignited gun mechanism
arquebus · percussion cap · muzzleloader · dueling pistol · powder horn · ramrod · bayonet · long rifle · pepperbox
piece
A portion or segment
iron · hardware · biscuit · burner · strap · chrome · nine · toast · tool · equalizer
gunolive branch
Symbol of reconciliation
dove · white flag · plowshare · peace sign · flower
- water gunToy that sprays liquid
- machine gunContinuous-fire arm
- smoking gunIrrefutable proof of wrongdoing
- jump the gunStart before permitted
- squirt gunHandheld toy sprayer
- toy gunsImitation firearms for play
guns, shotgun, handgun, gunning, gunner, gunned, air gun, machine gun, gunners