stun gun

noun

1. a battery-powered, handheld weapon that fires an electric charge when held against a person and activated by a trigger or button, used, especially by police, to immobilize a person briefly and without injury.
2. any of various handheld weapons that shoot small pellet-filled bags, tranquilizer darts, darts attached to electric wires, or the like to immobilize a person or animal briefly and without injury.

stun gun

noun

1. a device designed to immobilize an animal or person temporarily without inflicting serious injury

Word History and Origins

Origin of stun gun¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Many came armed with pistols, knives, baseball bats, metal pipes, stun guns, or bear spray, and used them to attack police.

From Los Angeles Times

They said it also explains why Nichols later ran away after officers yanked him from his car and hit him with a stun gun and pepper spray while he resisted their attempts to handcuff him.

From Seattle Times

It also said Black motorists in the city were more likely to be searched during traffic stops, and officers used neck restraints, police dogs and stun guns against people who posed no imminent threat.

From Seattle Times

A woman brandished a stun gun at her on campus, laughing.

From Los Angeles Times

Some officers carried semiautomatic weapons, and video shows officers using a stun gun on one protester they had pinned to the ground.

From Seattle Times