What is a firearm?

Firearms are portable guns that launch one or more projectiles, typically bullets, by means of rapidly expanding high-pressure gas produced by chemical reactions within a confined space. They come in various types, such as handguns, rifles, and shotguns, each designed for different purposes including self-defense, hunting, sport shooting, and law enforcement. Firearms are strictly regulated in many countries, requiring users to follow specific legal guidelines for ownership, use, and storage.