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

At one point, police said, he was holding what looked like a long gun.

From Washington Post

“The last time, he emerged carrying a long gun,” Contee said.

From Washington Post

While federal law imposes an age limit of 21 for handgun purchases, the age limit for buying long guns is 18.

From Washington Post

A video of that incident shows an assault with a long gun on a female victim, the Takoma Park police said Saturday.

From Washington Post

For this exercise, we focused specifically on the ability to purchase a long gun or rifle, because doing so is generally easier and less limited than buying a handgun.

From Washington Post

No law, state or federal, prohibits the purchase of a long gun (rifle) from a private individual (non-licensed dealer).

From The Daily Beast

She was quite small, and carried only a single long gun, and it was suspected that she was a privateer.

From Project Gutenberg

If they refuse to come aboard we'll shell the bush with that long gun and the Maxim rapid-fire guns we've got below decks.

From Project Gutenberg

Once again the long gun was fired, but little damage was done, and the British ship answered with a broadside.

From Project Gutenberg

Tempest applied the match to his long gun again, and as the shot flew through the air, he prayed it might disable the Britisher.

From Project Gutenberg

The Lively Bee suddenly threw her bow up into the wind, and after a short pause, fired her long gun.

From Project Gutenberg