laser gun n.

a weapon that fires a laser

The 1961 quote refers to an actual laser, not a weapon.

Weaponry

[1961 Business Week 30 Dec. 46/2 (heading)
Laser gun shoots light rays.]
1963 R. Zelazny Nine Starships Waiting in Fantastic Mar. 100/2 page image Roger Zelazny bibliography
He caressed a laser-gun the size of an automatic pencil, then slipped it into his breast pocket.
1964 Madera Daily Tribune 10 Feb. 6/5 page image
The Outer Limits has a good show in ‘The Bellero Shield’, an examination of an all-consuming ambition. Sally Kellerman wants scientist-husband Martin Landau to have a place in history. When she accidentally releases a Creature from another world by means of her husband’s laser gun, she sees her chance. However, a wealthy father-in-law who doesn’t like her is more of a hindrance than the Creature’s basic distrust of her.
1964 G. Roddenberry Cage 29 June in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ (1968) i. iv. 63 Gene Roddenberry bibliography
He slowly draws his Laser gun, adjusts the setting on it.
1965 G. Roddenberry Memo 3 May in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ (1968) i. 130 Gene Roddenberry bibliography
A couple which come to mind are an improvement in the Laser gun…plus carpeting or some other ways of reducing footstep sounds.
1985 O. S. Card Ender’s Game v. 41 Orson Scott Card
A lasergun, it looked like, since the end was solid, clear glass.
2002 J. Williamson Luck of the Legion in Absolute Magnitude Summer–Fall 21/1 page image Jack Williamson bibliography
He raised the captured laser gun, shaking in his clammy hands, and found the firing button. Its scarlet flash stabbed the dish.

Research requirements

antedating 1964

Research History

Simon Koppel submitted a 1964 cite in reference to an episode of The Outer Limits.

Last modified 2021-04-14 10:40:19
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.