A shotgun is a type of firearm designed to shoot a spread of small pellets, known as shot, or a single slug. It is commonly used for hunting birds and small game, as well as for sport shooting. Shotguns come in various gauges, which indicate the size of the barrel and the ammunition used. The most popular gauges are 12 and 20, with 12-gauge being the most widely used. Shotguns can be classified into different types, such as pump-action, semi-automatic, and break-action. Each type has its own mechanism for loading and firing shells. Many people also use shotguns for home defense due to their wide shot spread, which can be more forgiving in high-stress situations.