firearm
noun
- gun designed to be carried and operated by individuals
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪəɹˌɑː(ɹ)m/
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥ Proto-Germanic *fōr Proto-West Germanic *fuir Old English fȳr Middle English fyr English fire Proto-Indo-European *h₂er- Proto-Indo-European *h₂érmos Proto-Germanic *armaz Proto-West Germanic *arm Old English earm Middle English arm English arm English firearm From fire (“projectile discharge”) + arm (“weapon”).
- A personal weapon that uses explosive powder to propel a projectile often made of lead.
“David was arrested for illegal possession of firearms.”
“Understanding gun ownership in the US can help inform debates about firearm laws (or lack thereof). […] There are about 393 million privately owned firearms in the US, according to an estimate by the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey – or in other words, 120 guns for every 100 Americans.”