what is the definition of handgun?

[jamesob]

for the sake of heller what is the definition of handgun to you? is it a pistol, semi auto or both? some say a handgun is a semi and that a pistol is a revolver, i say it is both.

[Equalizer2]

Both.

[Knight]

This is the first definition that popped into my head:

Any firearm that can be easily fired one-handed and does not have a stock or other similar provision in which the gun can be braced against another part of the body.

Obviously not a legal definition, as the term "easily fired one-handed" can be interpreted about 6.7 billion different ways.

[ViPER395]

An easily-concealable firearm. :confused:

[Fjold]

Webster says:
: a firearm (as a revolver or pistol) designed to be held and fired with one hand

18 USC says:
HANDGUN - A firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and any combination of parts from which a firearm can be assembled.

[Quiet]

CA Penal Code 12001
(a)(1) As used in this title, the terms "pistol," "revolver," and "firearm capable of being concealed upon the person" shall apply to and include any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled a projectile by the force of any explosion, or other form of combustion, and that has a barrel less than 16 inches in length. These terms also include any device that has a barrel 16 inches or more in length which is designed to be interchanged with a barrel less than 16 inches in length.
(2) As used in this title, the term "handgun" means any "pistol," "revolver," or "firearm capable of being concealed upon the person."
(b) As used in this title, "firearm" means any device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion.

[jamesob]

i knew the answer but here is my point with heller. if the decision says handgun and i think it does, it is refering to both revolvers and semi autos. since handgun refers to both as defined by penal codes and dictionarys that would make fenty saying semi autos are still banned, illegal. someone should still try and register a semi auto and start another lawsuit.

[M. Sage]

Handgun means anything from a Lorcin to a TC single shot handgun in .45/70. Handgun means a muzzle-loading flintlock handgun, a single action revolver or a P220.

Handgun means... handgun. Pretty self-explanatory, yes? :D

[tunder]

Both any where in the world except for D.C.

In the District of Columbia (but nowhere else in the United States), the Colt .45 is banned. Not just banned if you have a 20 round magazine for the gun, but banned even if you only have the standard 7 round magazine. Preposterously, the D.C. ordinance classifies the 7-round Colt as a “machine gun,” and outlaws civilian possession of these so-called “machine guns.”

Believe it or not, this is the DC definition of Machine Gun:
Quote10) “Machine gun” means any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot:

(A) Automatically, more than 1 shot by a single function of the trigger;

(B) Semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading

[Ding126]

If I could only buy a revolver....Taurus JUDGE here I come.

[InvictusManeo]

Most of these definitions state "easily fired with one hand"... So the Desert Eagle .50ae isn't a handgun? :p