noun-modifying (irregular)
non-lethal; non-fatal
Technical term used in military, law enforcement, and security contexts to describe weapons or measures designed not to kill. Often modifies nouns such as 兵器 (weapon) or 手段 (means).
The police subdued the suspect using non-lethal weapons.
Methods to quell riots by non-lethal means are being researched.
Compound of 非 (non-) and 殺傷 (killing and wounding). The reading ひさっしょう reflects the standard on-reading of the kanji. The term is a modern technical coinage, likely influenced by English 'non-lethal'.