Dictionary

gun-happy en · ADJ

Etymology

From gun + happy.

Meanings

1. (derogatory) Overly fond of and inclined to use guns or advocate gun violence.
   • 'Damn cops,' said a CSI, who concentrated on the holes in the bark of a tree, the only holes not made by gun-happy rat killers. 2012, Carol O'Connell, The Chalk Girl: Kathy Mallory:
   • I suppose he thought he could buffalo me with that gun-happy swagger of his, so that I would hasten to assure him that nothing was further from the truth. 2001, Jason Manning, Gunmaster:
   • “Is she gun-happy?” “Certainly not. When you're properly trained in the use of guns, you don't become gun-happy, as you call it.” 2011, Ross Macdonald, The Instant Enemy:
   • He was gun-happy. He shot up jukeboxes and shelves full of booze. 2014, James Ellroy, Perfidia:
   • Guy remarked that the cubs were lucky to be on Canadian soil rather than in the gun-happy United States, where they would be dead by now. And Lulu scoffed. "Come on" she said. "Your gun-happy Canadian neighbour just shot their mother." 2016, Elizabeth Hay, His Whole Life:

Forms