Small-arm is a term that refers to handheld weapons that can be held and operated by one person. It is generally used to describe firearms that are smaller in size and are portable. There are various synonyms for the word small-arm, including sidearm, handgun, pistol, rifle, shotgun, and musket. Each of these terms refers to a particular type of firearm that can be carried and used by an individual easily. Sidearm and handgun refer specifically to pistols, while a rifle and shotgun have longer barrels and are used for specific purposes. A musket is an obsolete type of firearm that was used in the past but is no longer in use.