Non-Lethal Weapons

Weaponry that is intended to be unlikely harmful or fatal to a living target is referred to as non-lethal weapons. These types of weapons are also called less-lethal weapons, less-than-lethal weapons, or non-deadly weapons. Recently, the terminology compliance weapons have been added to the nomenclature.

The origination of non-lethal weapons is not completely known, but they first appeared in use by the military and police for the purposes of controlling riot situations. Originally, law enforcement and the military were limited to using bayonet and saber charges, as well as firing live ammunition rounds into the crowd. As a result non-lethal weapons were created to curb the loss of human life while controlling a potentially dangerous situation.

Debates on the subject seem to be perpetual as to what constitutes lethal or non-lethal weapons. There is a very fine line that defines the two as non-lethal weapons have fallen in to the wrong hands in the past and been abused. So this definition has literally become both a moral and social obligation of sorts. You have to first look at the actual definitions of the lethal and non-lethal entities.

Lethal weapons are those which are used to kill a person and permanently damage a person or property as opposed to the definition of non-lethal weapons at the beginning of this article. Pointed sticks and even rocks were once considered as lethal weapons in ancient times, but the definition today encompasses any form of weaponry that is used for the intentions of injuring, maiming, or killing a person.

Non-lethal weapons have been divided into numerous classifications, but the 5 main categories or products that are used for non-lethal purposes are as follows:

1. Batons and nightsticks – nightsticks are typically metal or wood sticks that are used to fend off an attacker. Batons, like nightsticks, are designated for the same purpose and are normally used by correctional officers, law enforcement, military personnel, and security officers.

2. Mace sprays or tear gas – mace is a form of tear gas that was developed for self-defense purposes but not control. The chemicals in tear gas cause irritation to the eyes and lungs and subdue the attackers. Tear gas usually comes in two forms – grenade or spray.

3. Pepper spray – this is one of the non-lethal weapons used by men and women to protect themselves (self-defense), but it can also be used to thwart off animal attacks as well. the mucous membranes --- eyes, lungs, mouth, and nose --- are affected by pepper spray.

4. Stun guns – hand-held devices that emit anywhere a shock charge of anywhere from 50,000 to 750,000 volts and when aimed at or held against the attacker, can immobilize them.

5. Tazer defense systems – electroshock weapons that employ Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) technology to cause neuromuscular incapacitation. Additionally, strong muscular contractions through an involuntary stimulation of both motor and sensory nerves are triggered by the device. Tazer’s are one of the more common non-lethal weapons in use today, and are not normally sold to the general public.