Raygun

A raygun is a science fiction directed-energy weapon that fires what is usually destructive energy. They have various alternate names: ray gun, a death ray, beam gun, blaster, laser gun, laser pistol, phaser, zap gun, etc. In most stories, when activated, a raygun emits a ray, typically visible, usually lethal if it hits a human target, often destructive if it hits mechanical objects, with properties and other effects unspecified or varying.