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Gunpowder burns but it burns very quickly. It's very reactive with oxygen. When enough heat is applied, either externally or from itself, the reaction progresses very rapidly and the gunpowder "explodes."

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Agree in general. Gunpowder consists of a fuel and an oxidizer mixed together- it does not need additional oxygen. The original gunpowder was black powder- a "low" explosive- modern gunpowder is based on nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin- "High" explosives. When triggered by heat, the fuel and oxidizer combine rapidly, producing large quantities of hot, expanding gas. This gas pushes the bullet out of the barrel.

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