handguns
One-handed shooting weapons
Handguns are firearms designed to be held and fired with one hand—pistols and revolvers.
The term distinguishes them from long guns like rifles and shotguns.
Handguns figure prominently in debates over gun control, self-defense, and concealed carry laws: The state requires a permit to carry handguns.
Compact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- sidearmPersonal weapon carried holstered
- semi-automaticFires once, reloads itself
- derringerCompact concealed firearm
Glock · Beretta · Colt · Magnum · Smith & Wesson · Ruger · Walther · snubnose
Sidearm carrying case
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- open carryBearing weapons visibly
- shoulder holsterBody-worn firearm carrier
- ankle holsterConcealed carry on lower leg
What initiates action
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- gripSecure manual hold
safety · hammer · slide · magazine · firing pin · muzzle · sight · frame
Popular handgun ammunition size
- bulletFired metal projectile
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- roundCurved like circle
- caliberBore diameter or quality
hollow point · reload · shell casing · primer · gunpowder · clip · magazine · chambered
Discharging a weapon
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- assaultViolent offensive act
- robberyTheft through intimidation
gang violence · gun violence · fatalities · casualties · drive-by · accidental discharge · gunshot wound · ballistics
Investigation of someone's history
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- permitOfficial written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- waiting periodRequired delay before proceeding
gun control · Second Amendment · ATF · legal · prohibited · restricted · regulation · ownership
Protecting oneself from harm
- home defenseProtecting one's residence
- protectionGuarding against harm
- intruderUnauthorized person present
- deterrentThing that discourages action
personal safety · security · castle doctrine · stand your ground · stopping power
Extent of variation
- target practiceAim improvement through repetition
- marksmanshipAccuracy in shooting
- shooting stanceShooter's stabilizing posture
- dry fireUnloaded firearm training
live fire · instructor · certification · accuracy · grouping · recoil control · safety course
pistol
Compact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- sidearmPersonal weapon carried holstered
- semi-automaticFires once, reloads itself
derringer · Glock · Beretta · Colt · Magnum · Smith & Wesson · Ruger · Walther · snubnose · pocket pistol
holster
Sidearm carrying case
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- open carryBearing weapons visibly
- shoulder holsterBody-worn firearm carrier
ankle holster · waistband · permit · license · retention · draw · quickdraw
trigger
What initiates action
grip · safety · hammer · slide · magazine · firing pin · muzzle · sight · frame · ejector
9mm
Popular handgun ammunition size
caliber · hollow point · reload · shell casing · primer · gunpowder · clip · magazine · chambered
shooting
Discharging a weapon
robbery · gang violence · gun violence · fatalities · casualties · drive-by · accidental discharge · gunshot wound · ballistics · crime scene
background check
Investigation of someone's history
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- permitOfficial written authorization
- licenseFormal grant of permission
waiting period · gun control · Second Amendment · ATF · legal · prohibited · restricted · regulation · ownership · purchase
self-defense
Protecting oneself from harm
- home defenseProtecting one's residence
- protectionGuarding against harm
- intruderUnauthorized person present
deterrent · personal safety · security · castle doctrine · stand your ground · stopping power
range
Extent of variation
- target practiceAim improvement through repetition
- marksmanshipAccuracy in shooting
- shooting stanceShooter's stabilizing posture
dry fire · live fire · instructor · certification · accuracy · grouping · recoil control · safety course
- gunrunningarms dealers, smugglers, trafficking routes, weapons caches, contraband
- firearmsrifle, pistol, shotgun, revolver, carbine
- armsrifles, pistols, swords, firearms, carbines
- military suppliesammunition, ammo, rifles, bombs, bandages
- gun tradegun dealer, gun shop, gun store, gun show, arms dealer
- restricted goodscontraband, hazmat, dangerous goods, hazardous materials, hazardous cargo
handgunsrifles
Long-barreled shoulder firearms
long guns · shotguns · carbines · assault rifles · sniper rifles
handgunstasers
Electroshock subduing devices
stun guns · pepper spray · non-lethal weapons · rubber bullets · batons