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
Crimp-Jump
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 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