A laser weapon that was the primary armament of military forces before the widespread adoption of the Holtzman Effect Shield. Lasguns ranged from small hand-held weapons to heavy mounted installations, most commonly employing deep-ultraviolet wavelengths. The interaction between a lasgun beam and a Holtzman shield produced a nuclear-level explosion that killed both the gunner and the shielded target, making their use extremely dangerous in an era of ubiquitous personal shields. This deadly interaction was a key factor in the return to blade combat throughout the Imperium.