US police could get 'pain beam' weapons

New Scientist ^ | 24 Dec 2008 | David Hambling

[the invisib1e hand]

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.

If these symptoms continue, I'd seek treatment.

[big'ol_freeper]

Bender already bought one on eBay to use on Deadskin fans.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“Civilian response: Bring mirrors.”

Will my silver lame’ Zoot Suit do the trick?

Actually, I could use one of these gadgets to tame some unruly teenaged boys in my neighborhood! Someone will post plans on the net. Maybe I’ll have to build my own.

[Oatka]

Don't forget the Terrans and their "Agonizer"

[Smokin' Joe]

What is the effective range of these devices?

What countermeasures are available or can be improvised?

While use against a crowd looting and pillaging is not necessarily a bad thing, I am reminded our big cities are only a few truckloads away from food riots, and that the 'mob' might not be composed of mere looters and the 'usual suspects'.

In a 'worst case' scenario, these could be used to herd the masses most anywhere TPTB want to.

[Mark was here]

Local police should not be armed or beholden to the Feds.

[calex59]

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.

The whole idea of non-lethal weapons for police is BS. To start with all the so called non-lethal weapons can, do quite frequently, cause death. Also, a cop facing people who are trying to kill him should not be restricted to using something that might get him killed. If they are not facing a life threatening situation they shouldn't be using any weapons except maybe a billy. Police need to be trained better than they are today, they used to take people down without tasering them or using mace or pepper spray.

Now, we have the potential of burning someone up using "non-lethal" force, not to mention the possibility of blinding someone. You can't cause pain with microwaves without actually cooking part of the person.

To recap, using force unless the cops life is in danger, non-lethal or lethal, is BS.

Also, I might add, we need to dump swat teams and get rid of the unconstitutional no knock raids.

[12Gauge687]

It’s the protesters who will need the treatment.

[the invisib1e hand]

Take your meds, champ. You sound like the archetypal troll.

[Happy Rain]

The second American tyranny,having learned the lessons of the first under King George,want no more Boston Massacres,no martyrs,no deaths for the cause of liberty,no bad PR that gives the oppressed a reason to publically dissent effectively.

One may riot and burn in protest for the cause of Homosexual privilege,seizure of arms,politically correct persecution,anti-God control of our children and murder in the womb and thus suffer the pain of teargas and praise or arrest and praise—but if one demonstrates post 1/20 for the freedoms and rights put to paper by our founders in the US Constitution the Obama Gestapo will use the latest riot technology to keep one alive but wishing one were dead.
So no bad PR.

[Eye of Unk]

For every weapon ever conceived there is always a defensive device also conceived. Without getting into the efficiency factor or using an electronic counter device some 1 meter wide concave mirrors would reflect back, not to mention the ability to build lightweight radar absorbing outwear similar to that used on the F-117 stealth fighter. Authorities can brag all they want about high tech offensive hardware but usually its something very simple available to defeat it. I can just imagine a condensed microwave beam at a crowd, I have seen a demonstration of it, but take simple aluminum foil or mylar and you have a barrier or shield. A large concave or focusing mirror, opposite a convex mirror though that type of mirror can be used.

[CodeToad]

$100 million microwave gun:

$1.00 microwave deflector shield:

[Myrddin]

The kevlar space blankets sold in sporting goods shops would make a fine liner for a garment. You get insulation and a metallic film that reflects the energy. It's tougher than aluminum foil.

[poindexters brother]

These weapons are ONLY "non lethal" if the person it is used on is in almost Perfect Health

I've also seen research that indicates that exposure to microwave radiation causes cataracts.

One abstract

[Nate505]

Great. And I thought these idiots abused tasers.