Ace the Texas Animal Control Officer Exam 2025 – Unleash Your Wild Side and Conquer!

The term that encompasses handguns, shotguns, and rifles is 'firearms.' This is a broad category that includes any weapon designed to expel a projectile through a barrel by the action of an explosive. Firearms are classified into various types, and handguns, shotguns, and rifles are all included in this classification. Each of these types of firearms operates on similar principles and utilizes ammunition to function.

While 'long guns' specifically refer to rifles and shotguns due to their longer barrels and overall length, this term does not include handguns. 'Ammunition' denotes the projectiles and propellants used in firearms, not the firearms themselves. 'Defensive weapons' is a more general term that could include a variety of weapons used for protection, but it does not specifically refer to the category of firearms. Therefore, identifying firearms as the overarching class that includes all specified examples is crucial in understanding weapon classifications.