riot gun

noun

1. a gun, especially a shotgun with a short barrel, for quelling riots rather than inflicting serious injury.

Word History and Origins

Origin of riot gun¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

They reached the front line and hurled eggs at the officers, who fired into the fleeing crowd with riot guns.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In 2015, a county inmate was beaten to death by three jail guards, and another inmate died after guards shot him with a riot gun at close range.

Read more on Seattle Times

“Fifteen minutes of spectacular fighting scattered the protest” in all directions as “firemen turned hoses onto the crowd and a police truck equipped with tear gas, submachine guns and riot guns” arrived, the Times continued.

Read more on Washington Post

The judge had issued an order prohibiting police from using less-lethal riot guns and launchers and using pepper spray on people engaged in passive resistance.

Read more on Washington Times

Customs and Border Protection has authorized its personnel to use less-lethal force, such as riot guns firing pepper spray balls, against protesters who fire lasers — an increasingly prominent tactic for rioters in Portland.

Read more on Washington Times