Gunfighters, also called gunslingers (/ˈɡʌnslɪŋər/) or in the late 19th and early 20th century gunmen, were individuals in the American Old West who gained a reputation of being dangerous with a gun and participated in shootouts. Today, the term "gunslinger" is more or less used to denote someone who is quick on the draw with a handgun, but this can also refer to those armed with rifles and shotguns. The gunfighter is also one of the most popular characters in the Western genre and has appeared in associated films, television shows, video games, and literature.
A gunfighter could be a lawman, outlaw, cowboy, or shooting exhibitionist, but the professional gunfighter was a mercenary "hired gun" (cf. freelancer) who made a living with his weapons in the Old West, selling his services to the highest bidder.[1]