Tech: domestic use of "Pain Beam" technology

[dracodraconis]

Various government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Energy, are investigating the use of the ADS (Active Denial System) "pain beam" for domestic use. Raytheon, the company that is developing the system, reports that a rifle-mounted version could be developed if there is sufficient interest. Unlike the military version, that uses a wide continuous beam, the hand-held version would probably use narrow pulses to minimize energy use.

Comments

[d2leddy.livejournal.com]

the hand-held version would probably use narrow pulses to minimize energy use.

Thank goodness for that.

It seems like there is so much more going on here with this gadjet than the creation of pain. There are so many ways to create pain. I don't think that its the pain I'm worried about, its the message in the method.

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

It has been suggested for use in "urban pacification" such during riots, or in controlling prison populations. One of the problems with the technology is the very fact that it appears to cause little physical damage. It's a short step to thinking of it as causing no damage, and then being used far more than is warranted by the situation.

[samhaine.livejournal.com]

Haven't they documented that police forces are already too willing to use tasers? It seems like yet another weapon that doesn't seem to have any repercussions would be a bad idea.

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

I see you understand my concerns about how they intend to apply this technology. The Canadian equivalent was the use of pepper spray in excess of what was warranted by the situation.

[ancalagon-tb.livejournal.com]

domestic use of a pain beam eh?

Someone ... "creative" will be using them recreationaly soon enough ;)

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought about that application.