Terminology

Learn about important concealed carry and firearm terminology with the USCCA's Terminology Guide.

Self-Defense

Castle Doctrine
Duty to Retreat
Stand Your Ground

Types of Licensing / Permitting Policies

Shall Issue
May Issue
Constitutional Carry/Unrestricted/Permitless Carry
Non-Issuing

Carry Types

Concealed Carry
Open Carry

General

Laws, Rules and Regulations
Preemption
Reciprocity
Right to Carry

Firearms and Ammunition

+P and +P+
Ball
Barrel
BJHP
Bullet
Caliber
Cartridge
Case
Chamber
Charge
Clip
Cock
Cylinder
EB
Ejection Port
Ejector
Extractor
FMJ
FPE
FPS
Frame
Frangible
Fully Automatic
Grain
Grip Safety
Hammer
Handgun
Hardened Lead
Hollow-point
JHP
Low Flash
Low Flash
Low Recoil/Managed Recoil
LR
LRN
Magazine
Magazine Catch
Manual Safety
Muzzle
Pistol
Revolver
Round
Semi-Automatic
Single Shot
SJHP
SJSP
Slide
Slide Catch
Special
Striker
SWC
SWHP
TC
TMJ
Trigger
Trigger Discipline
Trigger Guard
WC
WMR