Gun


 * This article is about guns in the 24 universe. For real guns used in production, see Weapons on 24.

A gun is a normally tubular weapon or other device used to discharge projectiles or other material. While the projectile can be non-lethal, one of the most common types of gun is the firearm, a family of portable guns that use explosive action to fire bullets or powder that can inflict grave injury against people and materiel.

Guns were in use as early as the time of the American Founding Fathers, whose enemies employed single-shot muskets in battle. Firearm use is ubiquitous amongst modern law enforcement and military organizations.

Firearms
In general, most firearms can be classed as either semi-automatic, requiring the operator to repeatedly pull the trigger, or automatic, which will fire bullets continuously for as long as the trigger is depressed. Firearms are further grouped by various form factors:

Handguns

 * See also: Handguns on 24

A handgun or pistol is the smallest type of firearm, designed to be operated with one hand or while bracing with the other hand. Due to their portable nature, it is common for law enforcement and military personnel to carry a handgun, or sidearm, in a holster for quick access. Types of handguns include the revolver, which feeds ammunition through a cartridge cylinder, and the semi-automatic pistol, which has a single chamber and a mechanism that readies the next bullet for firing after the previous one is fired. The latter allows the operator to fire rapidly with each pull of the trigger until the magazine is expended.

Rifles

 * See also: Rifles on 24

A rifle is a long gun designed to be held with both arms and mounted against one's shoulder. Rifles have a wide range of firing types, actions, calibers, and specialties. Within this group, the term "assault rifle" usually refers to a rifle that can switch between semi- and fully automatic firing modes. In the American Counter Terrorist Unit, the M4 carbine is standard-issue for TAC teams.

Shotguns

 * See also: Shotguns on 24

A shotgun is a type of long gun that fires multiple small pellets, or shot, that can cover a wider impact area than other guns. Shotguns can also fire specialized types of ammunition, such as beanbag rounds that are designed to incapacitate rather than kill the target.
 * Gray Model 5
 * Gray Model 8 Rapid
 * Remington M870

Submachine guns

 * See also: Submachine guns on 24

A submachine gun is an compact gun that combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the portability and cartridge of a pistol. Submachine guns are widely used among SWAT teams and other law enforcement groups for their stopping power and low recoil.
 * Agram 2000
 * Hauser M10
 * Heckler & Koch MP5
 * Heckler & Koch UMP
 * M5K Deutsche
 * RF Micro
 * Uzi

Machine guns

 * See also: Machine guns on 24

Machine guns are fully-automatic firearms that shoot ammunition from a belt or magazine at a very high rate, often mounted on helicopters or ground vehicles.

Non-lethal guns

 * A flare gun is used to launch flares, typically for distress signaling or to alert nearby air or watercraft. Though not intended for use as a weapon, flare guns can be lethal themselves when used on humans.
 * Certain varieties of stun gun have projectile modes, using electrode barbs on wires to shock and incapacitate the target.