Crossword Genius

After attack, search for a weapon (7,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assault rifle

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'a weapon' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'after attack search' is the wordplay.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'attack' becomes 'assault' (synonyms).
'search' becomes 'rifle' (as in rifling around for something).
'assault'+'rifle' is 'ASSAULT RIFLE'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for assault rifle that I've seen is " gun".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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