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Really Short Summary: A new non-letahl weapon automatically adjusts the projectile's muzzle velocity to match the range of the target so it can safely deliver t

Really Short Summary: A new non-letahl weapon automatically adjusts the projectile's muzzle velocity to match the range of the target so it can safely deliver the same impact at long and short ranges. (Current nonlethal weapons are only effective at a very narrow range. A non-lethal gun ranged for 50m shots will kill at 5m and ineffective much beyond 50m.) Uses methylacetylene propadiene gas as propellent which is a commonly used in commercial products like nail guns. About damn time if you ask me. This will help reduce the danger of using nonlethal weapons. Also, using a commercially-available propellent that is already sold in convenient canisters is a definite plus.

pavel_lishin 17y ago
> This will help reduce the danger of using nonlethal weapons. Alternatively, it'll teach people to over-rely on these things, much like some police departments have become overly reliant on tasers, with with bad consequences.
- epochwolf 17y ago
  While your comment has some merit, tasers are a completely new class of weapon. The non-lethal rounds that this weapon fires are already a known quantity. The same dangers apply to them that applied before except the weapon will help prevent accidents related to misjudged range. You still need to aim it properly to avoid breaking someone's neck or skull. The fact that even though it's less dangerous than before it's still far more dangerous than a taser is considered to be. This weapon will still kill or seriously injure if used improperly. The major difference is predicting when a taser will be lethal is difficult. Predicting when a fist size piece of silly putty punching the snot out of someone is much easier. Physical trauma is much better understood than electrical.
  - gojomo 17y ago
    Still, if this innovation makes lethality accidents 90% less likely per use, but that newfound confidence makes usage 20X more frequent, net fatalities could go up. It may be good to have new options, but there's still danger during the adjustment period.
    - epochwolf 17y ago
      The adjustment period is definitely going to dangerous but not nearly on par with tasers. I'm arguing this is a known, predictable issue unlike tasers which should prevent some of the stupidity that's been happening with tasers. Additionally this type of weapon is less effective at stopping a person at short range than a taser is. (It's also much larger, more like a rifle than a pistol) This is more of a type of weapon that a SWAT team would use than your regular police officers. I hope this would reduce the chances for abuse.

pavel_lishin 17y ago

> This will help reduce the danger of using nonlethal weapons. Alternatively, it'll teach people to over-rely on these things, much like some police departments have become overly reliant on tasers, with with bad consequences.

epochwolf 17y ago
While your comment has some merit, tasers are a completely new class of weapon. The non-lethal rounds that this weapon fires are already a known quantity. The same dangers apply to them that applied before except the weapon will help prevent accidents related to misjudged range. You still need to aim it properly to avoid breaking someone's neck or skull. The fact that even though it's less dangerous than before it's still far more dangerous than a taser is considered to be. This weapon will still kill or seriously injure if used improperly. The major difference is predicting when a taser will be lethal is difficult. Predicting when a fist size piece of silly putty punching the snot out of someone is much easier. Physical trauma is much better understood than electrical.
- gojomo 17y ago
  Still, if this innovation makes lethality accidents 90% less likely per use, but that newfound confidence makes usage 20X more frequent, net fatalities could go up. It may be good to have new options, but there's still danger during the adjustment period.
  - epochwolf 17y ago
    The adjustment period is definitely going to dangerous but not nearly on par with tasers. I'm arguing this is a known, predictable issue unlike tasers which should prevent some of the stupidity that's been happening with tasers. Additionally this type of weapon is less effective at stopping a person at short range than a taser is. (It's also much larger, more like a rifle than a pistol) This is more of a type of weapon that a SWAT team would use than your regular police officers. I hope this would reduce the chances for abuse.