[My2Cents]

Psst.....Don't tell the Admin. Moderator about this. It sounds like the ultimate "ZOT".

[rickmichaels]

But human rights groups are appalled by the fact that no independent safety tests have been carried out, and by their potential for indiscriminate use.

Why not try it out at the DNC convention?

[GSlob]

By wearing a chain mail - or, if you are not a reenactor, a metallized or otherwise electroconductive clothing and shoes, and moisturizing your exposed skin with saline solution for the same purpose - your clothing will become your own lightning rod and you will be similarly protected.

[doug from upland]

New York would be a very good place for tests at the end of August and beginning of September.

[Thud]

ping

[Joe 6-pack]

I knew my Y2K tinfoil suit would eventually come in handy...

[lowbridge]

[ExSoldier]

TINFOIL HAT beginning to glow, little propeller on top spinning madly

Yeah this is a perfect device for FEMA to use in the relocation of "detainees" to the camps. Helps keep the sheeple from becoming too resistant to doing the master's bidding, ya know.

[longtermmemmory]

How to counter such a gas emmision, fans, fire extinguishers.

What happens if the wind blows enough of the gas back onto the police?

Seems this would work as a MOAB or Daisy cutter more than a point and shoot.

You could even "mine" protest locations in advance, crowd gets rowdy, ZAP the whole area and pick up the bodies.

Of course the people with pacemakers and unknown heart problems with sue, sue, sue.

[RightWhale]

I see. The laser beams in Star Wars didn't do damage, but carried electrical current along the laser beams which did damage. Won't work in a vacuum.

[GSlob]

Maybe one should try to attack the problem from psychological side rather than its physical incapacitation aspect:
Imagine a regular water cannon (slightly modified - more powerful centrifugal pump and larger diameter piping leading to the standard nozzle) connected to a large septic tank. If there is enough pressure, one could easily reach 200-300', work the crowd in fan-like fashion from a single point, and even knock over the more persistent perpetrators at close range. Picking the perps later, though, would be an unpleasant chore.

[Myrddin]

HSV demonstrated their unit in San Diego in 2000. The device uses a pair of ultraviolet lasers to make an ionized gas path to the target. A high, AC voltage is applied that causes the voluntary skeletal muscles to seize, but has no effect on smooth muscle tissue in the heart and diaphragm. The target is immobilized. It doesn't work well with heavy clothing. The laser needs to penetrate to the skin to get the job done. The 2000 model required a truck to carry the power supplies. The 2004 version fits in a carry-on suitcase. Handheld models are anticipated as the laser technology improves.

[TLI]

HUH? This intense pulse - which is said not to harm the eyes -

So the makers of the weapons plan to use a UV laser to fire a 5-joule pulse lasting just 0.4 picoseconds - equating to a momentary power of more than 10 million megawatts.

Uhhhh, I use class IIIb Lasers and they are .05 to .5 watt and CAN harm your eyes..

a quote

"""Class IIIb lasers are intermediate power (c.w. 5-500 mW or pulsed 10 J/cm²) devices. Some examples of Class IIIb laser uses are spectrometry, stereolithography, and entertainment light shows. Direct viewing of the Class IIIb laser beam is hazardous to the eye and diffuse reflections of the beam can also be hazardous to the eye. Do not view the Class IIIb laser beam directly. Do not view a Class IIIb laser beam with telescopic devices; this amplifies the problem. Whenever occupying a laser controlled area, wear the proper eye protection. Refer to the University of Kentucky Laser Safety Manual for complete instructions on the safety requirements for Class IIIb laser use."""

http://ehs.uky.edu/radiation/laser_fs.html

10 Million MEGAWATTS????

[henderson field]

We need a new body of law that protects citizens from the government.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"However, if someone were to fart at the same time as the impact the resulting explosion could prove lethal..."

[VaBthang4]

Outstanding....coming to a Falujah near you.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Reminds me of an old cartoon about 40 years ago.
Several men are sitting in the outer office of the Patent office talking about their inventions.

One man says this about his invention;
"It moves electricity without wires."
He presses a button and the man across the room gets zapped and goes straight up in the air.

Another cartoon by Charles Addams is also in a patent office.
The patent officer is testing a "DEATH RAY" by firing it out the window.
He turns to the inventor and says;
"Death ray my eye! It didn't even slow them down!"

Not bad for forty years ago!

All of a sudden I feel old!

[meadsjn]

Oh just great! -- the ultimate tool for bank robbers, muggers, etc. I wonder how long these will be out before they're used in a crime.

[ICX]

"We will be able to fire a stream of electricity like water out of a hose at one or many targets in a single sweep," claims XADS president Peter Bitar.

And God said to Peter, "Yea, and I shall give unto you an instrument of justice, which ye shall use to smite hippies and return them unto the Volkswagon Bugs from whence they crawled." And the hippies were dispersed, and there was much rejoicing. Amen.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"Mr. Sulu. Set phasers on stun for a wide dispersal pattern. Target the large crowd in the city square. You may fire when ready."