A gun is a ranged weapon, which by the 22nd century, 23rd century or 24th century generally fires directed energy. More archaic forms of gun may fire solid projectiles, pressurized gases or liquids, or explosives. Guns capable of being carried and fired by a single humanoid are termed a firearm. Guns beyond the range and power of a firearm which were too large to carry were called artillery.
Firearms[]
- See also: Firearm
A firearm was a weapon capable of being carried and operated by a single humanoid. They were carried by the infantry and officers of the United Federation of Planets, Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, Cardassian Union and other major governments. Common firearms were the phaser and disruptor. Starfleet broke the three sizes of firearm down into Type 1 (small concealable size), Type 2 (sidearm of pistol size) and Type 3 (battlefield rifle sized) phasers. Klingon, Romulan and Cardassian weapons systems were observed in the pistol and rifle sizes. (TNG video games: Generations, Klingon Honor Guard, Elite Force)
Artillery[]
A mortar being loaded with photon grenades in 2267.
- See also: Artillery
Artillery was a type of gun beyond the range and power of an infantry firearm. During a mission to the planet Cestus III in 2267, Captain James T. Kirk employed a mortar against invading Gorn Hegemony forces, which fired photon grenades. (TOS episode & novelization: Arena)
During missions to a secret Romulan base at Galorndon Core, Commander William T. Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi of the USS Enterprise-D observed a Romulan fixed disruptor cannon emplacement. (TNG video game: Generations)
In archaic times, projectile weapons cannons were used onboard ships, and against castle walls and infantry formations. In 2364, Q recreated several examples of Napoleonic war era cannon during a simulated wargame. (TNG episode: "Hide and Q")
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The USS Enterprise firing ship-mounted phasers.
Starship weapons generally consisted of one type of energy beam weapon (such as a phaser), and one type of explosive torpedoes (such as a photon torpedo). They were used in combination to deplete enemy shields, and then inflict either thermal damage or explosive damage directly to an enemy ship's hull. The most typical armament of a Federation starship was ship-mounted phaser bank emplacements, and photon torpedoes. Likewise, Klingon and Romulan starships generally consisted of ship-mounted disruptor emplacements and photon torpedoes.
Occasionally, more exotic weapons (such as plasma torpedoes), or more primitive ones like lasers, nuclear ordinance, and plasma cannons were employed. In the 23rd century, almost every species employed beam weapons and torpedoes. (TOS video games: 25th Anniversary, Judgement Rites, Starfleet Command, Starfleet Command II: Empires at War, Starfleet Academy, Klingon Academy)
Likewise, in the 24th century, almost every species still employed beam weapons and torpedoes. (TNG video games: A Final Unity, Generations, Birth of the Federation, Bridge Commander)