The origin of the English word gun is considered to derive from the name given to a particular historical weapon. Domina Gunilda was the name given to a remarkably large ballista, a mechanical bolt throwing weapon of enormous size, mounted at Windsor Castle during the 14th century.

Under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, long guns can only be sold to individuals 18 years old or older while handguns can be sold only to individuals 21 years old or older.

A pistol is a type of handgun, characterized by a barrel with an integral chamber. The word "pistol" is derived from the Middle French pistolet ( c. 1550), meaning a small gun or knife, and first appeared in the English language c. 1570 when early handguns were produced in Europe.