They call it a "laser" because calling it a "gaser" leads to the weapon's name being mispronounced as "gasser" . . . with all the fart jokes this inevitably entails. :)

Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein

"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." - Bill Cosby

"We know a little about a lot of things; just enough to make us dangerous." Dean Winchester