lost gun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost gun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a firearm that has been misplaced or is unaccounted for. Example: "The police are investigating the case of the lost gun that was reported missing from the evidence locker."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

PEGLEG MINE, Trinity River Cache, Lost Gun Sight Claim.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Perhaps the most dangerous of these legislative riders, which have been renewed separately at various points, prohibits the A.T.F. from requiring federally licensed firearms dealers to conduct annual inventories to ensure they have not lost guns or had them stolen.

The New York Times

The provisions, which have been renewed separately at various points, would prohibit the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco Firearms and Explosives from requiring gun dealers to conduct annual inventories to ensure that they have not lost guns or had them stolen, and would retain a broad definition of "antique" guns that can be imported into the United States outside of normal regulations.

The New York Times

Stolen gun reporting: Stolen or lost guns would have to reported within five days.

Los Angeles Times

The ATF has lost guns before, most notably in Operation Fast and Furious, during which the agency lost track of hundreds of weapons, including one that was used in the killing of a Border Patrol agent in December, 2010.

Vice

The ATF has lost guns before, most notably in Operation Fast and Furious, during which the agency lost track of hundreds of weapons, including one that was used in the killing of a Border Patrol agent in December 2010.

Vice

In California, anyone placed on a 72-hour or 14-day psychiatric hold and determined to be a danger to themselves or others loses gun rights for five years.

The New York Times

His expression asked, as many Americans soon would: Did the Republican nominee just raise the prospect that, if he loses, gun owners could attack a President — or federal judges?

The New Yorker

"YOU don't lose guns.

The Economist

"All our customers are either law enforcement or New York City permit holders," Mr. Imperato said, "But there are guns that people lose, guns that are stolen from people's houses".

The New York Times

He was talking about Operation Fast and Furious, a fatally misconceived effort to fight drug-trafficking that had led some of his colleagues to lose guns deliberately.The operation, outlined in two congressional reports last summer, began in 2009 in the Phoenix, Arizona, field office of the ATF, which is under the Department of Justice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "lost gun", specify the context of the loss (e.g., stolen, misplaced, or legally forfeited) for clarity.

Common error

Don't assume a "lost gun" was simply misplaced. It could have been stolen or legally confiscated. Always check the facts and clarify the reason for the loss to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost gun" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific firearm that is no longer in its proper place or possession. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost gun" is a common noun phrase used to describe a firearm that is missing or unaccounted for. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news reports, legal discussions, and general conversations. When using the phrase, it's crucial to clarify the context of the loss to avoid ambiguity, as it could refer to misplacement, theft, or legal confiscation. Alternative phrases such as "missing firearm" or "stolen gun" can provide greater specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missing firearm

Focuses on the firearm being unaccounted for, similar to "lost gun".

stolen gun

Specifies that the gun was taken illegally, unlike a simple loss.

misplaced weapon

Replaces "gun" with a more general term, "weapon", indicating an item is out of place.

unaccounted-for gun

Highlights the lack of explanation for the gun's location.

firearm out of place

Describing the weapon that it isn't where it should be.

gun gone astray

Emphasizes the gun having wandered from its intended location or possessor.

weapon forfeiture

Indicates a legal process where the gun is taken away.

confiscated firearm

Highlights that it was taken away due to legal reasons.

disappeared gun

Emphasizes the mysterious nature of the gun's absence.

gun turned up missing

Highlights the discovery of the gun's disappearance.

FAQs

What should I do if I "lose" my "gun"?

If you "lose your gun", report it to local law enforcement immediately. Provide all relevant details, such as the gun's serial number and the circumstances of the loss.

What are the legal consequences of having a "lost gun"?

Depending on jurisdiction, failing to report a "lost gun" can result in fines, criminal charges, or loss of gun ownership rights.

Which is the correct term, "lost gun" or "missing gun"?

Both ""lost gun"" and "missing gun" are acceptable. "Lost gun" suggests it was misplaced, while "missing gun" simply indicates it's not where it should be.

What can I say instead of "lost gun"?

You can use alternatives like "stolen gun", "misplaced firearm", or "unaccounted-for gun" depending on the context.