In a message dated 10/3/1999 3:36:53 PM EST, neosapient@geocities.com writes:
<< What we need is that someone actually tests the concept
(as a whole), only then can we be sure. We've only got
"circumstantial evidence" so far.>>
Agreed. It was just nice to have some practical experience thrown into the mix.
<< Actually, tasers and stun guns are quite effective against even
relatively heavily clothed targets (check out the Airtaser FAQ on
their web page, http://www.airtaser.com, for example), so this
shouldn't be a problem with UV tasers either.>>
This may be a case where we need to do some testing to verify whether certain types of dress may be a problem or not.
<<Perhaps, but let's not write the idea>> of UV lasers <<off before some actual testing.>>
Again agreed. I really think I was off when I wrote this post, sheesh<g>.
<< Foams are basically just too slow, messy, wind-sensitive and
potentially dagerous (if you hit someone full in the face he could
easily suffocate) to be of much use for nonlethal self-defense.
Also the gun would probably be too big and heavy to carry
around (you need a lot of foam, and hence a heavy highpressure
canister).>>
Everyone pretty much in agreement that foam weapons aren't a good choice?
<<Sonic weapons on the other hand might have more potential:
[from
http://www.azstarnet.com/~freetht/us_news_070797_the_pentagon.htm
There's some info about other nonlethal (military) projects too, like
the Pulse Wave Myotron, "flu guns" & electromagnetic weapons]
"So-called acoustic or sonic weapons, like the ones in the aforementioned lab, can vibrate the insides of humans to stun them, nauseate them, or even "liquefy their bowels and reduce them to quivering diarrheic messes," according to a Pentagon briefing. Prototypes of such weapons were recently considered for tryout when U.S. troops intervened in Somalia. [...] Scientists are also trying to make a sonic cannon that throws a shock wave with enough force to knock down a man".>>
Sonic weapons might be a good way to go if they can get good directionality without having to have something huge as a weapon. If the problem of fine-tuning the intensity to quickly get the desired result without going overboard and causing damage can be solved as well, this may be an interesting possibility.
Glen Finney