handgun

[ hand-guhn ]

/ ˈhændˌgʌn /

any firearm that can be held and fired with one hand; a revolver or a pistol.

Origin of handgun

First recorded in 1400–50, handgun is from the late Middle English word handgone. See hand, gun¹

In states that require a background check for every handgun sale, 38 percent fewer women are shot to death by intimate partners.

Use Your Vote to Take Stand Against Domestic Violence |Shannon Watts |October 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He qualified as “sharpshooter” on the M1911A1-45 ACP handgun in 1994.

The (Sloppy) Swift-Boating of Michigan Democrat Gary Peters |Tim Mak |October 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
When the only option for carrying a handgun is to carry concealed, it unfairly discriminates against women and professionals.

A Gun Owner Speaks: My Case for Open Carry |CJ Grisham |June 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
At 1:52 pm, Platt received a phone call informing him that a handgun had been used in the killing of German.

The Teen Love Letters that Led to a Tragic Murder-Suicide in Florida |Michael Daly |March 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

“The argument escalated and Frazier pulled out a handgun and shot the host in the arm,” Gillespie said.

Another Fatal Shooting in Las Vegas |John L. Smith |October 22, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
He was feeling too cheerful to use his rightful advantage over them, and decided to use a handgun, since they had nothing better.

World Without War |E. G. von Wald
But if you have ever fired a handgun, you don't even think about recoil.

Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
"Ewyo dies if I'm touched," said Revel coolly, pointing the handgun at the squire's belly.

The Buttoned Sky |Geoff St. Reynard
Homer came to his feet and handgun in fist made a dash for the front entrance.

Black Man's Burden |Dallas McCord Reynolds
The first portable arms were the cannon and handgun, both adjusted to very heavy, straight butt-ends and very difficult to handle.

The Spell of Belgium |Isabel Anderson

handgun

/ (ˈhændˌɡʌn) /

a firearm that can be held, carried, and fired with one hand, such as a pistol