I have a question for the speakers of Afrikaans. It seems to me that firearms are referred to generically as "rifles" in South Africa. When I went last time, my handgun was referred to as a "rifle" on my import permit and by a person or two I talked to.

Is this erroneous terminology or is it perhaps related to whatever the Afrikaans word for firearm is?

Its got nothing to do with afrikaans
Rifle = jaggeweer
handgun = hand wapen
shotgun = haelgeweer
firearm = vuurwapen

the afrikaans is very discriptive it must be the monkey behind the desk

Blair PM sent

To be a bit more specific -

1. Rifle = Geweer (long barrel) and could be any of the following:
a) Hunting rifle - jaggeweer (modern type); or
b) Shotgun = Haelgeweer; and even
c) Muzzle loader (black powder rifle).

2. Handgun = Handwapen and can be
a) Pistol; or
b) Revolver; and even
c) Muzzle loader handgun.

3. Firearm = Vuurwapen which is the collective name for any of the above in points 1 and 2.

Afrikaans, a very descriptive language!

Thanks for the replies.

I personally prefer the word "Rifle" over guns when talking about Double rifles, Bolt action rifles and single shot rifles.
Shotguns are a different matter.