This ain't real on topic... but the reasons that cartoons use lasers is
so that children can readily reproduce the violence seen in the cartoon.
I know they can do this with martial arts and all, but can you imagine
what would happen if little kids saw cartoons like Power Rangers and SK
with heroes using actual guns to shoot at the enemy?  With many handguns
within the reach of children today the results could be disastrous.
       Well there it is.  I think I may have watched the Gargoyles
episode Deadly Force too much......

T-Bone

"I do not want to play with your wooden duck!" - Arthur