A firearm is a portable weapon that launches one or more projectiles, typically bullets or shot, by the forceful expansion of gases, usually produced by the rapid combustion of a propellant (originally gunpowder and now smokeless powder). Firearms can range from small, handheld devices, such as pistols and revolvers, to larger, shoulder-mounted weapons like rifles and shotguns.
The main components of a typical firearm include:
1. **Barrel**: The tube through which the projectile travels when the firearm is discharged.
2. **Action**: The mechanism that loads, locks, fires, and ejects cartridges or shells.
3. **Stock or grip**: The part held by the user.
4. **Trigger**: The small lever that is pulled or squeezed to discharge the firearm.
5. **Magazine**: A component for storing ammunition and feeding it into the action (not present in all firearms).
Firearms are used for a variety of purposes including self-defense, law enforcement, hunting, target shooting, and military applications. They are subject to various laws and regulations which vary widely across different countries and jurisdictions.
What is firearm
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