gunmen
Hired armed killers
Gunmen is the plural of gunman—a person armed with a gun, especially one who uses it to commit crimes or acts of violence.
News reports describe gunmen opening fire or masked gunmen robbing a bank.
The term typically implies threat or aggression rather than lawful gun ownership.
Organized crime members
- banditsArmed robbers, often roving
- robbersThose who steal forcibly
- hitmenPaid assassins
- assassinsKillers of important people
mafia · mobsters · cartel · outlaws · hoodlums · kidnappers · racketeers · underworld
Long-barreled shoulder firearms
- pistolsSmall one-handed firearms
- firearmsWeapons using explosive propulsion
- revolversCylinder-fed handguns
- sidearmsWeapons worn at waist
ammunition · holsters · shootout · snipers · trigger · barrel · caliber · marksmanship
Exchange of gunfire
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- assaultViolent offensive act
ambush · crossfire · engagement · standoff · barrage · exchange · suppressive · covering fire
Captive held as security
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- menaceSource of potential harm
- dangerExposure to harm
standoff · siege · ultimatum · coercion · armed robbery · holdup · ransom · demands
Retribution dealer
- renegadeDeserter of a cause
- crusaderZealous advocate for change
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
- lone wolfSelf-reliant individualist
retribution · self-appointed · enforcer · masked · vigilante justice · frontier justice · revenge · bounty hunter
gangsters
Organized crime members
assassins · mafia · mobsters · cartel · outlaws · hoodlums · kidnappers · racketeers · underworld · heist
rifles
Long-barreled shoulder firearms
- pistolsSmall one-handed firearms
- firearmsWeapons using explosive propulsion
- revolversCylinder-fed handguns
sidearms · ammunition · holsters · shootout · snipers · trigger · barrel · caliber · marksmanship · magazines
firefight
Exchange of gunfire
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
assault · ambush · crossfire · engagement · standoff · barrage · exchange · suppressive · covering fire · pinned
hostage
Captive held as security
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- menaceSource of potential harm
danger · standoff · siege · ultimatum · coercion · armed robbery · holdup · ransom · demands · barricade
avenger
Retribution dealer
lone wolf · retribution · self-appointed · enforcer · masked · vigilante justice · frontier justice · revenge · bounty hunter · death squad
- hostage takerskidnappers, hijackers, abductors, terrorists
gunmenpacifists
Those opposing all warfare
peacemakers · noncombatants · peacekeepers · conscientious objectors · peace activists
- lone gunmanIndividual armed attacker acting independently
- lone gunmenIndividuals committing violence alone