Crossword Genius

Alabama gun scare (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alarm

'scare' is the definition.
(alarming is a kind of scaring)

'alabama gun' is the wordplay.
'alabama' becomes 'al'.
'gun' becomes 'arm' (I've seen this in other clues).
'al'+'arm'='ALARM'

(Other definitions for alarm that I've seen before include "Frighten, warning" , "Burglar deterrent" , "Feeling of fear" , "State of (sudden) fear" , "Arouse to a sense of danger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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