Firearm

A firearm is a weapon that launches a projectile (bullet) by means of the force generated by the combustion of gunpowder. The gunpowder burns inside a sealed tube called a barrel; the expanding gas pushes the projectile down the barrel and out through the muzzle.

Firearms are classified into two broad types: those held in the hand (pistols) and those braced against the shoulder (rifles). A second classification is based on how the projectile is loaded: single-shot weapons, firearms with a magazine, and those that automatically reload using the recoil force or gas pressure.

Main Components

Every firearm has three main parts. The barrel, through which the projectile travels; the firing chamber, where the projectile is seated before discharge; and the stock or grip, held by the hand. The interior of the barrel typically contains rifling—spiral grooves that spin the projectile to stabilize its flight.

Brief History

Gunpowder was first developed in China, and from the middle centuries onward firearms came into use in Asia and Europe. Early firearms were hand cannons operated by slow match, followed later by flintlock mechanisms. In the 19th century, the self-contained cartridge was invented, making possible the rapid-loading firearms of the modern era.

Use and Regulation

Firearms are used by military forces, police, hunters, and in sport shooting. Many countries have laws governing who may possess them, registration requirements, and how they may be transported. At the international level, agreements exist regulating the trade in firearms and the control of small arms.