long gun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, legal, technical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “long gun” mean?
A firearm with a long barrel, such as a rifle or shotgun, typically designed to be fired from the shoulder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A firearm with a long barrel, such as a rifle or shotgun, typically designed to be fired from the shoulder.
A formal and legal classification for firearms that are not concealable, typically including rifles, shotguns, and muskets, as opposed to handguns (short guns).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British legal contexts, the term is less prevalent; specific terms like 'rifle', 'shotgun', or 'firearm' are standard. In American legal, regulatory, and firearms culture contexts, 'long gun' is a well-established categorical term.
Connotations
In the UK, the term has a strong legal/technical feel. In the US, it is a standard descriptive term in gun culture, law, and commerce.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in contexts of gun laws, sales, and ownership discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “long gun” in a Sentence
[Subject] + owns/possesses/uses + a long gun[Subject] + purchased/registered + the long gunThe [type] + is classified as a long gunVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “long gun” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The long-gun regulations are under review.
- He specialised in long-gun ballistics.
American English
- The long-gun legislation passed the committee.
- He's a long-gun enthusiast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the firearms retail industry to categorize products for sale.
Academic
Used in criminology, law, and history papers to distinguish firearm types.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing gun laws or specific types of hunting equipment.
Technical
A standard term in ballistic reports, forensic science, and firearms legislation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long gun”
- Using 'long gun' to refer to a specific model (e.g., 'He fired his Winchester long gun' – better: 'He fired his Winchester rifle').
- Confusing 'long gun' with 'artillery' or 'cannon', which are much larger.
- Incorrectly treating it as a verb or adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, historically, muskets are considered long guns due to their long barrel and shoulder-fired design.
The primary differences are size and firing position. Long guns have longer barrels, are designed to be fired from the shoulder, and are generally less concealable than handguns, which are designed to be held and fired with one or two hands.
Yes, in hyphenated form (e.g., 'long-gun ownership'), particularly in American legal and journalistic contexts to modify nouns like 'sales', 'laws', or 'license'.
British firearms law and public discourse tend to use more specific terms (e.g., 'shotgun certificate', 'rifle') due to different historical, legal, and cultural contexts surrounding gun ownership.
A firearm with a long barrel, such as a rifle or shotgun, typically designed to be fired from the shoulder.
Long gun is usually formal, legal, technical, journalistic in register.
Long gun: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈɡʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈɡʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lock, stock, and barrel (referring to a complete rifle).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LONG GUN: Imagine a GUN that is so LONG you have to rest it on your shoulder to aim it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LONG GUN is a TOOL for distance (both physical and metaphorical, as in 'keeping someone at arm's length').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'long gun' MOST appropriately used?