Definition

Noun: * A person who illegally transports weapons across borders: An "arms-runner" is an individual engaged in the clandestine or illegal trade of firearms and other weapons, typically smuggling them into regions where they are banned or in high demand for conflict.

Usage

• The term is a compound noun ("arms" + "runner") and is used as a singular, countable noun.
• It specifically refers to the person conducting the smuggling operation. The activity itself is "arms-running."
• It is most commonly used in contexts of international crime, embargo violations, and conflict zones.

Examples

• The arms-runner was apprehended while trying to ship crates of rifles to the embargoed nation.
• Intelligence agencies were tracking the notorious arms-runner for months.
• The documentary exposed a network of arms-runners fueling the civil war.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies operating outside of international law and arms embargoes. It carries connotations of profiting from conflict and instability.

Variants and Related Words

• Arms-running (noun): The activity or business of smuggling weapons.
  • He was convicted for his involvement in arms-running.
• Gunrunner (noun): A near-synonym, though "arms-runner" can imply a wider range of weapons (e.g., missiles, explosives) beyond just guns.
• Arms dealer (noun): A broader term that can include both legal and illegal traders of weapons.

Synonyms

• Gunrunner
• Weapons smuggler
• Contrabandist (specific to weapons)

Related Phrases

• To run arms (verb phrase): To engage in the smuggling of weapons.
  • The group was accused of running arms to the militants.

Noun

1. a smuggler of guns