long gun

[ lawng guhn, long ]

noun

1. a handheld firearm with a long barrel, as a rifle, designed to be fired when braced against the shoulder:

   Grab your long guns, and let’s get in some target practice.

2. Ordnance. a mounted firearm, as a cannon, with a long barrel, especially as compared to a shorter-barreled howitzer:

   Near the foot of the watchtower was planted a long gun charged with the finest British powder.

Word History and Origins

Origin of long gun¹

First recorded in 1530–40

Example Sentences

Crooks pointed his assault rifle at the officer, who slipped, fell to the ground and then started yelling into his radio: “He’s got a gun. He’s got a long gun.”

From BBC

Federal law prohibits dealers from selling handgun ammunition to anyone under 21 and long gun ammunition to anyone under 18, so the company set an across-the-board 21-year age requirement.

From Slate

I wasn’t expected to engage in combat operations with my “long gun,” as we called it.

From Slate

I was an excellent shot with my long gun.

From Slate

He also took issue with the characterization of the Capitol riot as an insurrection, the AP reported, saying, “If I wanted to bring an insurrection, I would have brought a long gun.”

From Seattle Times