Defining a Firearm

A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube. Handguns are short firearms that are designed to be held in one or two hands while being fired.

To appreciate fully the importance of handgun safety, you first must understand how handguns work. This includes knowing the parts of the handgun, the types of ammunition, how ammunition is fired, and the ranges of handguns.

Here are the three basic types of handguns.