Crossword Genius

No thugs mess with this weapon (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shotgun

'this weapon' is the definition.
(shotgun is a kind of weapon)

'no thugs mess' is the wordplay.
'mess' indicates an anagram.
'no'+'thugs'='nothugs'
'nothugs' with letters rearranged gives 'SHOTGUN'.

'with' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for shotgun that I've seen before include "Smooth-bore weapon" , "Firearm used at short range - kind of wedding" , "No thugs (anag) - weapon" , "piece" , "arm" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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