Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US police could get 'pain beam' weapons
New Scientist ^ | 24 Dec 2008 | David Hambling

Posted on 12/26/2008 7:50:42 AM PST by BGHater

The research arm of the US Department of Justice is working on two portable non-lethal weapons that inflict pain from a distance using beams of laser light or microwaves, with the intention of putting them into the hands of police to subdue suspects.

The two devices under development by the civilian National Institute of Justice both build on knowledge gained from the Pentagon's controversial Active Denial System (ADS) - first demonstrated in public last year, which uses a 2-metre beam of short microwaves to heat up the outer layer of a person's skin and cause pain.

'Reduced injuries'

Like the ADS, the new portable devices will also heat the skin, but will have beams only a few centimetres across. They are designed to elicit what the Pentagon calls a "repel response" - a strong urge to escape from the beam.

A spokesperson for the National Institute for Justice likens the effect of the new devices to that of "blunt trauma" weapons such as rubber bullets, "But unlike blunt trauma devices, the injury should not be present. This research is looking to reduce the injuries to suspects," they say.

Existing blunt trauma weapons can break ribs or even kill, making alternatives welcome. Yet ADS has recorded problems too - out of several thousand tests on human subjects there were two cases of second-degree burns.

A modified version of this laser rifle created to dazzle enemies by the US Air Force has been adapted by the Department of Justice to inflict pain from a distance

(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: beam; doj; leo; miltech; police
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

1 posted on 12/26/2008 7:50:42 AM PST by BGHater
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Project-X


2 posted on 12/26/2008 7:52:10 AM PST by Dubh_Ghlase (Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
the Pentagon's controversial Active Denial System (ADS) - first demonstrated in public last year
Actually, the Active Denial System (ADS) was invented by the RNC decades ago as a way to help get RINOs elected.
3 posted on 12/26/2008 7:52:49 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

No problemo as long as the devices are available to civilians also.

Othewise we have tyranny.


4 posted on 12/26/2008 7:53:12 AM PST by Eagle Eye (Libs- If you don't have to play the rules then neither do we...THINK ABOUT IT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

5 posted on 12/26/2008 7:53:38 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (appeasement is collaboration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eagle Eye
No problemo as long as the devices are available to civilians also. Othewise we have tyranny.

Any bets on which?

6 posted on 12/26/2008 7:54:52 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (appeasement is collaboration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Will they attach the frickin lasers to sharks' heads?

7 posted on 12/26/2008 7:55:32 AM PST by dfwgator (I hate Illinois Marxists)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I have a few “pain beam” weapons already in the inventory ... the latest being one of The Judge pistols loaded with .410 shotgun shells.


8 posted on 12/26/2008 7:56:25 AM PST by mgc1122
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

or more accurately:


9 posted on 12/26/2008 7:56:54 AM PST by TonyStark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand

Was actually waiting for someone to point out all the goodies that are currently restricted from civilian hands.


10 posted on 12/26/2008 8:01:05 AM PST by Eagle Eye (Libs- If you don't have to play the rules then neither do we...THINK ABOUT IT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
>


Hmmm. Next time I'm out
burning cars and looting stores,
if somebody points

a BFG thing
in my direction, I'll run!
Thanks for the update!

11 posted on 12/26/2008 8:01:48 AM PST by theFIRMbss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

“Don’t beam me, bro... don’t beam me!”


12 posted on 12/26/2008 8:02:58 AM PST by HondaCRF450
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
"No, Mr Bond. I expect you to die."


13 posted on 12/26/2008 8:04:26 AM PST by Emperor Palpatine ("I love democracy. I love Free Republic")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: theFIRMbss
Is this environmentally friendly? Does it pollute the air? Does it enhance global warming......what about its’ carbon footprint? Can we recycle it? Does it come in Green
14 posted on 12/26/2008 8:05:52 AM PST by shadeaud (The only thing we have to fear is fear itself and the executive power of president-elect obammma)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
These genius' who come up with these 'non lethal' weapons always seem to overlook on teeny tint thing -- These weapons are ONLY "non lethal" if the person it is used on is in almost Perfect Health. So boys, put away all your neat Flash Gordon toys and if need be, whack me over the head with your Baton - please.
15 posted on 12/26/2008 8:06:05 AM PST by Condor51 (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

May da schwartz be witchoo.

16 posted on 12/26/2008 8:06:11 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (appeasement is collaboration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

will certainly do wonders for sales of tinfoil in DC and the SF Bay Area


17 posted on 12/26/2008 8:09:05 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Civilian response: Bring mirrors.


18 posted on 12/26/2008 8:10:53 AM PST by struggle ((The struggle continues))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: theFIRMbss

It seems the anti-globalization protesters at the WTO or World Bank meetings (how do these morons afford to go to so many foreign capitals considering what deadbeats most of them are?) would prefer these weapons to a nightstick or a swift kick.

Personally, if I were a cop I’d prefer the pleasure of an up-close and personal relationship using a lead-filled rubber truncheon as some Hong Kong cops used to do. The bamboo batons they now use leave a mark but much less internal damage.

The morons who break into businesses and loot or set someone else’s car on fire deserve no less. This system is way too PC.


19 posted on 12/26/2008 8:18:59 AM PST by 12Gauge687 (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

a new personal thrill toy for sados among them.


20 posted on 12/26/2008 8:23:46 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (appeasement is collaboration.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson