The term handgun refers to which firearms?

The term handgun refers to which firearms?

• A. Revolver or pistol
• B. Rifle or shotgun
• C. Submachine gun only
• D. Any firearm

Answer: (A)

A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and fired from the hand, not shouldered. The two main types that fit this definition are revolvers, which use a rotating cylinder to hold cartridges, and pistols, which fire from a magazine in a semi-automatic action. Rifles and shotguns are built to be shouldered and have longer barrels, so they are not handguns. Submachine guns are typically designed for automatic fire and are treated as a different category, often not classified as handguns. For the term handgun, the best fit is revolver or pistol.

A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and fired from the hand, not shouldered. The two main types that fit this definition are revolvers, which use a rotating cylinder to hold cartridges, and pistols, which fire from a magazine in a semi-automatic action. Rifles and shotguns are built to be shouldered and have longer barrels, so they are not handguns. Submachine guns are typically designed for automatic fire and are treated as a different category, often not classified as handguns. For the term handgun, the best fit is revolver or pistol.