riot gun

noun

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

Origin of riot gun

First recorded in 1925–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Rick heard the secretary draw in his breath sharply, and he surreptitiously got ready to pump a shell into the riot gun's chamber.
The Flaming Mountain | Harold Leland Goodwin
Then he went in and got his riot-gun, well loaded with duck-shot.
Following the Color Line | Ray Stannard Baker
So they raged all night, firing at the jail, but not daring to come too near the man with the riot-gun.
Following the Color Line | Ray Stannard Baker
He saw Ben step through the doorway, a riot gun in his hands.
The Egyptian Cat Mystery | Harold Leland Goodwin
The Colonel ejected his words with the decisive click of a riot-gun.
'Me-Smith' | Caroline Lockhart

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