gunrunning
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The smuggling of guns and ammunition into a country secretly and illegally: The act of secretly and unlawfully transporting firearms and munitions across borders, typically to supply insurgent groups, criminal organizations, or other unauthorized entities.
Usage
- gunrunning is an uncountable noun. It refers to the illegal activity or trade as a whole, not to a single instance (which might be called a "gunrunning operation").
- It is commonly used in contexts discussing international crime, arms trafficking, terrorism, and violations of embargoes.
Examples
- The government increased coastal patrols to combat gunrunning.
- He was arrested and charged with gunrunning across the border.
- The documentary exposed a sophisticated gunrunning network operating in the region.
Advanced Usage
- "to be involved in gunrunning": to participate in the illegal trade of weapons.
- The suspect is believed to have been involved in gunrunning for years.
- "gunrunning ring/network": an organized group engaged in smuggling guns.
- Authorities dismantled a major international gunrunning ring.
Variants and Related Words
- Gunrunner (noun): A person who smuggles guns.
- The notorious gunrunner was finally captured.
- Arms trafficking (noun phrase): A broader, often more formal term for the illegal trade in weapons and ammunition, which includes gunrunning.
Synonyms
- Arms smuggling
- Weapons trafficking
- Illicit arms trade
Related Phrases
- To run guns (verb phrase): To engage in the act of gunrunning.
- The militia was accused of running guns to the conflict zone.
Noun
- the smuggling of guns and ammunition into a country secretly and illegally