If so, only the super-fit should demonstrate
The Home Office has renewed its interest in ‘less-than-lethal’ weapons reported in 2001, when The Engineer website announced that American stun guns and laser weapons could be issued to police in the UK following tests to be carried out on behalf of the Home Office.
Steve Tuttle, director of government and law enforcement affairs for Taser International, said that the United Kingdom had shown interest in the Advanced Taser M26 – pictured. A laser weapon developed by LE Technologies, the Laserdazzler, is also under review. The inventor, Lieutenant Jay Kehoe said: ‘The Home Office contacted us to evaluate the Laserdazzler for possible use by UK police forces.’ The Laserdazzler is a torch-shaped device that shines a green laser into the eyes. It flashes so fast it overloads the optic nerve.
Both tasers and lasers are dangerous; see the tragedy and climate of fear in small-town America, engendered by harsh policing, culminating in the death of a respected young citizen here – an American TV documentary.
A Scottish addition to the American arsenal?
Deadline, a leading press and picture agency based in Edinburgh, reports on another weapon. The SMU 100 – pictured – is a shoulder mounted non-lethal device designed by a Scottish company, designed to temporarily blind anyone caught in its beam of light. The wall of light can be three meters square and is projected up to 500 meters away.
Paul Kerr, managing director of Clyde-based Photonic Security Systems who developed the SMU 100, said police could ‘paint’ potential offenders with the laser to make them think twice about their actions. “The system would give police an intimidating visual deterrent. If you can’t look at something you can’t attack it.
Do we consent to attacks/’defence’ leaving citizens less-than-dead but with impaired health?
Yesterday it was reported that the Home Office is once again considering deployment of such weapons on British citizens and many other ‘less-than-lethal’ technologies, most of which can permanently damage the health of those not 100% fit.
A spokesman said that laser dazzle technology is one it has recognised as holding some merit and the technology will be tested to ensure it does not cause any permanent ill effects.
