Gun
A gun is a weapon that fires a bullet, dart or other projectile.
The four main types of modern firearms today are bolt-operated, pump action, semi-automatic, and automatic weapons. In a bolt-action weapon, each new round must be loaded manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually loaded by pulling back on pump of the gun, located underneath the barrel. In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet, each shot ejecting spent brass and loading new ammuntion until the magazine is depleted. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed. Fully automatic fire will cause the gun to heat up very quickly, which can become dangerous as it can burn exposed flesh and because rounds may "cook off" or fire unexpectedly due to the chamber becoming hot enough to ignite the propellant.
Gun control
The cultural issues surrounding guns are debated. Conservatives generally prefer to reserve for the individual the right to self-defense through the use of guns. Liberals generally prefer to give away this right to guards, police, and the military, or even completely deny that it is an important right.[Citation Needed]Many of them argue that reducing the availability of guns will reduce crime, and that guns are not an effective form of self-defense.
Guns are shown to be highly effective at detering crime and protecting the gun owner. Police officers often use guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed. It is debatable whether unarmed police can properly protect citizens from gun-wielding criminals, as they must wait for the arrival of specialist firearms officers before being able to act.
Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding citizens carrying guns are an effective deterrent against crime. Further comparison between different states by John Lott indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms homicides than states with more liberal gun laws.
Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government. The 20th century has proved repeatedly that a well-armed and dedicated guerrilla army can defeat even the strongest occupying army using only small arms. Thus, guns potentially act as a deterrent against a tyrannical government.
However, many people believe that the easy access to firearms in some areas has made it possible for people with severe mental illness to commit mass murder, often at college and high school campuses.
Science Fiction
Science fiction, such as Star Trek, has postulated many different types of directed energy weapons. These are guns that fire beams, waves, or packets of energy. Some energy guns can be set to stun, not to wound or kill. Most firearms legislation would not classify these as firearms, so their ownership would be unrestricted, as are many non-firearm weapons such as flame throwers.
