弹弓可作为冷兵器或玩具。传统的弹弓（Pebble bow）外形和普通的弓一样，但是使用双弦，用泥陶做弹丸，主要用来活捉鸟雀。中国传说中的禄神送子张仙就是使用弹弓的好手。欧洲的达文西亦曾建议用弹弓来发射臭气弹。元清武器管制较严，民间不许有弓，弹弓在民间流行，所以明末清初的武侠小说，很多大侠是使用弹弓泥丸的，明代因循古代射礼，并规定官学儒生必须习弓，不禁弓和冷兵器，弹弓则是小孩子游戏。

另一种Y字弹弓（Slingshot）已知出现于硫化天然橡胶被发明的1839年之后。一般用树枝、金属或塑胶等材料制作Y形弹弓柄，Y形柄上两头系上弹性体长条，弹性体中段系上用来包裹弹丸的皮块。Y字弹弓的威力取决于弹性体的拉力。弹性体拉力越大，弹弓的威力也越大。

A slingshot or slingshut (primarily American), hand catapult (primarily British English), shanghai or ging (primarily Australian and New Zealand), kattie (in South Africa), bean shooter, or flip or tirador (primarily Tagalog), is normally a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame held in the off hand, with two natural-rubber strips attached to the uprights. The other ends of the strips lead back to a pocket that holds the projectile. The dominant hand grasps the pocket and draws it back to the desired extent to provide power for the projectile - up to a full span of the arm with sufficiently long bands.