a licensed gun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a licensed gun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a firearm that has been legally registered and authorized for ownership or use. Example: "In many states, individuals are required to undergo background checks before they can purchase a licensed gun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The next day, his wife said, the police confiscated a licensed gun from Mr. Roth.

The New York Times

The proposal should also exempt certain rural residents who live too far from a licensed gun dealer for a background check to be practicable.

The New York Times

In the post-mortem, officials theorized that the suicidal shooter, suffering mental illness, could have been turned away from a licensed gun dealer.

The New York Times

He had a licensed gun, and on April 20 he was arrested after being accused of menacing someone in the building where he worked, a police official said.

The New York Times

A licensed gun owner, Mr. Pontillo said he was concerned that the gun increases were much greater than other fee increases.

The New York Times

encourages the involved parties to finalize the sale through a licensed gun dealer who can run a background check, but whether or not this step is required depends on the state.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

You will be required to show proof of age before buying a gun from any licensed gun dealer in Missouri.

WikiHow

A 76-year-old member of the social club, the Fellow Craft Club, was supposed to fire a gun loaded with blanks, but reached into the wrong pocket, drew a licensed, loaded gun and shot Mr. James, 47, in the face.

The New York Times

While the state legislature recently passed an open carry law allowing licensed gun owners to display handguns in public as well, he suggested that the presence of firearms at protests was worth further discussion.

Huffington Post

Studies by the federal Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco Firearms and Explosives have shown that the criminal market for guns is supplied largely through retail purchases of firearms from licensed gun dealers, often when a straw purchaser buys guns for a trafficker, who then sells the weapons to other criminals.

The New York Times

So the fate of a new legislative proposal to close the infamous "gun show loophole," that exempts from background checks people who buy guns from "private sellers" as opposed to licensed gun dealers, may be an interesting bellwether for the fate of such legislation in Washington.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing gun control or legal matters, specify that the gun is "licensed" to emphasize its legal status and distinguish it from illegal firearms.

Common error

While "legal" might seem like a synonym, "licensed" specifically implies that the gun has been registered with the relevant authorities and that the owner has met certain requirements. Using "legal" without specifying "licensed" could be vague if the context relates to permits and regulated ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a licensed gun" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of firearm that has been legally registered and authorized for possession. Ludwig examples support its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a licensed gun" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a firearm that has been legally registered and authorized for ownership. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently used in news and media, as well as wiki sources, indicating a neutral to professional register. It is important to use the term precisely, particularly when discussing legal matters or gun control. Remember to specify "licensed" rather than broadly implying legality. Alternative phrases, such as "a legally owned firearm" or "a registered handgun", can be used to add nuance or emphasize different aspects of legal gun ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legally owned firearm

Focuses on the legality of ownership rather than the licensing process.

an authorized firearm

Concise and emphasizes authorization.

a registered handgun

Specifies the type of firearm and emphasizes its registration.

a registered weapon

Focuses on the weapon's registration.

a permitted weapon

Highlights the permission aspect of owning the gun.

a firearm with a permit

Reverses the structure to emphasize the permit.

a gun authorized for possession

Uses more formal language to indicate legal authorization.

a lawful sidearm

Emphasizes the legal and portable nature of the weapon.

a weapon held under license

Rearranges the words to highlight the condition of being licensed.

a gun with proper documentation

Focuses on the presence of required paperwork.

FAQs

What does "a licensed gun" mean?

The term "a licensed gun" refers to a firearm that is legally registered and authorized for ownership by an individual, typically requiring the owner to meet specific criteria and obtain a permit.

What's the difference between "a licensed gun" and "an unregistered gun"?

"A licensed gun" is legally registered and authorized, while an "unregistered gun" is not recorded with the relevant authorities, often making its possession illegal.

What are some alternatives to saying "a licensed gun"?

You can use alternatives like "a legally owned firearm", "a registered handgun", or "a permitted weapon" depending on the context.

Where can I find information about obtaining "a licensed gun"?

Information regarding obtaining "a licensed gun" can typically be found on the websites of local law enforcement agencies, state government websites, or from "licensed gun dealers".