How do shotguns differ from other firearms?

Shotguns are specifically characterized by their smoothbore barrels, which distinguishes them from many other types of firearms that typically have rifled barrels. The lack of rifling in a shotgun's barrel allows it to fire a spread of shot pellets or a single slug, rather than a single, spiraled projectile. This design is particularly effective for shooting at moving targets over short distances, as the spread of the shot increases the likelihood of hitting the target. The smoothbore construction is key to a shotgun’s functionality and its typical use cases in hunting and sporting contexts, as well as in some self-defense scenarios.