A rifle is a long-barrelled firearm designed for accurate shooting, with a barrel that has a helical pattern of grooves cut into the bore wall. In keeping with their focus on accuracy, rifles are typically designed to be held with both hands and braced firmly against the shooter’s shoulder via a buttstock for stability during shooting. Rifles are used extensively in warfare, law enforcement, hunting and shooting sports. The term was originally rifled gun, with the verb “rifle” referring to the early modern machining process of creating groovings with cutting tools. By the 20th century, the weapon had become so common that the modern noun “rifle” is now often used for any long-shaped handheld ranged weapon designed for well-aimed discharge activated by a trigger.
