Defensive Technology
There are many forms of defensive technology other that guns. When you think about defense, the mind easily enters the gun discussion. Pepper spray, tasers, and other forms of non lethal defense are all a part of defensive technology. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
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Pepper spray
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Pepper spray is also known as OC gas, capsicum spray or oleoresin capsicum, and is a lachrymatory agent. A lachrymatory agent is a compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness. Pepper spray is commonly used in riot or crowd control and as a personal defense mechanism against dogs, bears, and other offensive people.
Pepper spray in an inflammatory that causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. This can last anywhere between thirty and forty-five minutes, depending on the strength of the spray. Some who have had contact with pepper spray say the lasting effect can last for hours.
The American Civil Liberties Union has fourteen fatalities from the use of pepper spray as of 1995. The active ingredient in pepper spray in capsaicin, from the plants in the capsicum genus, which includes the ever popular chiles. Despite these facts the long-term effect of pepper spray has not been researched and efficiently studied.
Pepper spray generally comes in canisters small enough to be carried in a pocket or purse. For armed forces or policing agencies pepper spray can also come in projectiles that can be fired from paintball guns. These types are used in riot control or routine interventions. |
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Laws on pepper spray in the US differ between states…
- Washington D.C. possession of pepper spray must be registered with the DC Metropolitan Police.
- Massachusetts residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers in that state, and must hold a valid Firearms Identification Card.
- Wisconsin tear gas is not permissible. By regulation, OC products with a maximum OC concentration of 10 percent and weight range of oleoresin of capsicum and inert ingredients of 15-60 grams are authorized.
- Michigan, pepper spray is legal if it has less than 2 percent of the active ingredient. Sprays containing a mixture of CN/CS are also banned, though tear gas containing only CS is legal. New York, pepper spray may be legally possessed by any person age 18 or over; however, it must be purchased in person, either at a pharmacy or from a licensed firearm retailer, and the seller must keep a record of purchases.
Tasers
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A taser is an electroshock weapon used to stun a targeted object or person from a distance. Currently, police use two main models, the M26 and X26. Both of these models come with a laser sight and mounted digital video camera that can record in low-light situations.
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Introduced as a less than lethal weapon, the taser is used by police to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous subjects, often when a lethal weapon would have otherwise been used. The trademarked name Taser is an acronym for “Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle” the science fiction teenage inventor and adventurer.
The taser fires two small dart-like electrodes, connected to the main unit by conductive wiring. Nitrogen charges, like air gun or paintball marker propellants, are used to propel the electrodes. The cartridges propel up to 35 feet in the police models and 15 feet in the consumer models.
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