Non-Lethal Weapons
Philip Simmons
November 14, 2016 Abstract
In this APA paper Law Enforcement recognizes the purpose of non-lethal weapons, and the reasons why the use of non-lethal weapons would be more effective. Lethal weapons coupled with the use of force has become a social highlight throughout the last few years. The use of non-lethal weapons in law enforcement has become an important asset to Police use of force. It is an ever-increasing problem that is in dire need of immediate action to be taken before things spiral further out of control. This paper suggests approaches that can be used to help reduce the use of force by using non-lethal weapons. Thus we should look at another approach which some have and start using more non-lethal
…show more content…
A non-lethal weapon is used to cause less injury to an individual. An officer has two types of weapons they can use. One type is a lethal weapon, which is a weapon that can cause death or great harm to someone. A primary example of that would be a gun. The second type, non-lethal weapons also called less-lethal weapons are weapons intended to be less harmful and less likely to kill, and use less force. These weapons are created to temporarily stun and incapacitate the target with the least amount of pain as possible. They try and minimize as much risk as possible when being used. There are a lot of different types of non-lethal weapons. Some of these weapons include but are not limited to the stun gun, pepper spray, and tear gas. Ammunition can also be altered in guns to make them non-lethal weapons, such as a bean bag ammunition in a shotgun, or rubber bullets for a pistol. With non-lethal weapons, situations with criminals will be easier and less time consuming. Officers can draw their weapons as soon as a situation starts and can fire at the criminal without hesitation. With lethal weapons you cannot do that because an innocent life could be taken at that second. Police can handle criminals easily with these weapons, while allowing them to get back to the people and protect them without killing anyone. If we use non-lethal force against criminals, trespassers, and uncooperative civilians. …show more content…
The Army hand-emplaced, six-tube launcher pod will deliver a high volume of munitions, including flash-bang and sting-ball grenades, at ranges between 25–500 meters. This barrage will enable the warfighter to deny the targeted individuals freedom of movement, while preserving that freedom for friendly forces.
The Marines have introduced a new initiative to the Non-Lethal Indirect Fire Munition. This currently is in the science and technology phase of the development cycle. Non-Lethal Indirect Fire Munition is making significant progress. In addressing the major challenge of reducing the risk of injury from the projectile that delivers the non-lethal payload. The Human Effects Center of Excellence has modeled mortar payloads and designs to identify attributes that will produce the desired effect, while limiting collateral damage. A proof of concept demonstrated that reducing the kinetic energy of existing mortars is feasible. Next, the program will integrate a flash-bang effect into the existing M252 81mm
In Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraqi forces fired 93 Scud missiles at coalition forces in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. (Rostker) Air Defense Artillery (ADA) played an immensely significant role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with units from 11th Brigade Air Defense Artillery and the 32d Air Defense Command rapidly deploying into theater. The effectiveness of the units and their roles in fighting this war proved that Air Defense Artillery was critical to the success of the campaign. Although Patriot Batteries placed strategically throughout Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel played a tremendous tactical role in these wars, High-Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) was not the only type of surface to air missile system in place to protect ground forces and valuable military assets. Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) units also deployed with the air defense units. These weapon systems, integrated with ground forces, provided air defense to dominate against aircraft and Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBM) on the front lines.
8 Galum, John, Joshua Shakon and Tan Mau Wu. “National Missile Defense – A CS91 Final Project.” < http://www.cs.swarthmore.edu/~eroberts/cs91/projects/national-missile-defense/index.html>
Before more Tasers are given to officers, there needs to be more research done outlining the possible risks that CEWs pose to the human body, and any short or long term effects that may arise due to the use of CEWs on individuals. Secondly, the issuing of Tasers to more officers is not a good idea because just like anything else, Tasers can lead to an overreliance on the part of police officers to resort to the use of Tasers on individuals who do not comply with them. This, along with the absence of clear and strict guidelines that stipulate when officers are to use their Tasers on non-compliant individuals, will lead to abuse. Many police officers may decide to bypass the use of verbal commands, empty-handed strikes, and other tools at their disposal such as the ASP baton, when dealing with a violent individual, or someone who is simply not complying with their instruction.... ... middle of paper ... ...(2013, August 29).
Grundberg, Andy. "A Dangerous Weapon." The American Scholar:. American Scholar, 1 Jan. 2008. Web. 8 May 2014. .
Non-lethal weapons are popular among law-enforcement for the reasons of being able to provide a police officer detain larger and more hostile subjects without a large risk of injury to his/her self or the subject. Most common uses of non-lethal force is the application of tear gas or pepper spray. Both have extremely large incapacitating effects designed to bring down individuals and give the police officer the upper hand. Pepper spray is common in the law enforcement world, but has skyrocketed in public providing protection for individuals to carry a small can to provide protection when stuck in a scary situation. Tear gas and pepper spray as the intentions to subdue someone but there is always a time where the expectations are not met and
This project is about some of the weapons used by American soldiers during World War II. The weapons included are some of the most used and reliable used by American infantrymen throughout the war. Of all of the weapons used by American infantrymen these weapons were produced in greater quantities than others and also were favorites of the American men that used to fight in World War II. Some of these weapons were manufactured and used before World War II, but were produced and used on a larger scale in World War II. Weapon descriptions, main uses and ammunition fired from them will be discussed in the report. How they were beneficial to the American soldiers that used them will also be discussed. Some of these weapons were thought to be superior to others used by American soldiers, as well as those used by enemy forces. These weapons are unique in their own way and used by soldiers with confidence that they were going to perform as they needed them to in battle.
Company E, Berdans 1st Regiment United States Sharpshooters. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2009, from US Sharpshooters: http://www.ussharpshooters.co.uk/index_files/Page2772.htm
Ingram said 30 MK77 firebombs were used by the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the invasion of Iraq between 31 March and 2 April 2003 (Brown). They were used against military targets "away from civilian targets", he said. This avoids breaching the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), which permits their use only against military targets
By teaching police officers alternatives to shooting to kill, they experience higher risks with their lives. Police Commissioner, Ray Kelly, said, “It would be "very difficult" to train officers to shoot to wound” (Jacobo, 2016). Police officers are viewed as “predators” and “an occupying army” rather than allies (Valey, 2016). This is a perception that needs to change because it counteracts the mission of police officers
As a result, “Nearly all agree that when an officer is facing a deadly threat, the proper response is to use deadly force”(Lind). Yes there are many people out there that can be a deadly threat to police officers because the way they are acting but, there are many innocent people that do not affect anyone and still have to be a part of the problem for no given reason. Although a police officer’s proper response is to use deadly force upon someone, there should be other alternatives or ways they can use before going into deadly force and possibly cause someone to lose their live. I certainly do understand that there are certain situations where a cop is coming across someone that is pointing a gun or knife at them and approaching towards them. So therefore them using deadly force would possibly be the right thing to do if they have too, but before using deadly force they should at least try deploying tasers or using bean bag guns to attempt in taking them
The Tomahawk cruise missile is a computer-guided missile fired from U.S. combat vessels carrying either 1,000-lb. warheads or a cluster of 166 soda-can-sized ‘bomblets’. The warhead can hit within a few feet of its target. This is one of the backbone attacks of the war. This weapon allowed allied forces to destroy buildings in a very populated area without harming any civilians.
Police violence remains a dire human right violation, especially in the United States. Over the last decade, police have applied force and aggression in ways that leave people wondering if they are discharging their duties. Recently, law enforcement seems to have taken a different turn characterized by aggression and violence when dealing with the public. Cases of unjustified shootings, physical assault, fatal chokings and violent treatment have contributed to the ongoing problem of police brutality in the America. Worse still is the fact that a greater proportion of these cases go unreported and undetected. This has partially encouraged violent police officers to continue applying force when dealing with the public. This new law enforcement
There has been a lot of controversy regarding the use of police departments using tasers. Many people think that tasers are less lethal and safer for police to use on everyone but, throughout this essay there will be many reasons as to why tasers are unsafe and pose a threat to someone on the receiving end. Tasers have been involved with many deaths and other injuries. The main topic that will be discussed in this essay is how sometimes shooting is a taser and just stunning the person is not all that happens. There are much more to stun guns than just 5 seconds of paralysis.
Over the years, this country has witnessed many cases of police brutality. It has become a controversial topic among communities that have seen police brutality take place in front of their homes. Officers are faced with many threatening situations everyday forcing them to make split second decisions and to expect the worst and hope for the best. Police officers are given the power to take any citizens rights away and even their lives. With that kind of power comes responsibility, that’s one major concern with the amount of discretion officers have is when to use force or when to use lethal force. The use of excessive force may or not be a large predicament but should be viewed by both the police and the community.
The first idea, people get when they hear the word law enforcement is power, security, fear, and respect. What is the appropriate amount of force, law enforcement officer should use? Society judges the actions of law enforcement, without taking into account the side of the officer. There are many types of force a police officer may use when the situation calls for it. Law enforcement officers use discretion to decide on the right force to use. Force cannot be defined by individuals or by laws, instead force is exercised by individuals that upheld our criminal’s justice system. The types of force that officer can use are soft hand, hard hand, Taser, baton, presence, and deadly force. Presence is were suspects see law enforcement and turn themselves in. Soft hands is a tactic used by calm officers. Soft hand police officers like to discuss the situation out and try to use less lethal force. Hard hands is used by more experienced police officers. The force is key for many police officers because it can determine the lives of many individuals. Society sees the force of the law enforcement officers in the media, community, and