firearm
Defined in 2 dictionaries — Case Law, U.S. Code
Definitions from Case Law
From 307 U.S. 174 - United States v. Miller · 1939Most cited · 857 citing opinions
a shotgun or rifle having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length, or "any other weapon, except *176 a pistol or revolver, from which a shot is discharged by an explosive if such weapon is capable of being concealed on the person, ór a machine gun, and includes a muffler or silencer for any firearm whether or not such firearm is included within the foregoing definition, [The Act of April 10,1936, c. 169, 49 Stat. 1192 added the words] but does not
United States Code
18 U.S.C. § 232 — for purposes of this chapter
The term “firearm” means any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive; or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
18 U.S.C. § 921 — as used in this chapter
The term “firearm” means (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.
18 U.S.C. § 926B — as used in this section (2 versions over time)
As used in this section, the term “firearm”—
(1) except as provided in this subsection, has the same meaning as in section 921 of this title;
(2) includes ammunition not expressly prohibited by Federal law or subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act; and
(3) does not include—
(A) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act);
(B) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and
(C) any destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title).
18 U.S.C. § 926C — as used in this section (2 versions over time)
the term “firearm”—
(A) except as provided in this paragraph, has the same meaning as in section 921 of this title;
(B) includes ammunition not expressly prohibited by Federal law or subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act; and
(C) does not include—
(i) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act);
(ii) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and
(iii) any destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title); and
26 U.S.C. § 5845 — in this section (3 versions over time)
The term "firearm" means (1) a shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (2) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (3) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (4) a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (5) any other weapon, as defined in subsection (e); (6) a machinegun; (7) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (8) a destructive device. The term "firearm" shall not include an antique firearm or any device (other than a machinegun or destructive device) which, although designed as a weapon, the Secretary finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.
40 U.S.C. § 5104 — in this section (4 versions over time)
Firearm.—The term "firearm" has the meaning given that term in section 921(3) 1 of title 18.
42 U.S.C. § 2201A — in this section (8 versions over time)
In this section, the terms “handgun”, “rifle”, “shotgun”, “firearm”, “ammunition”, “machinegun”, “short-barreled shotgun”, and “short-barreled rifle” have the meanings given the terms in section 921(a) of title 18.