44.493 Issues in Criminal Justice Technology & Security

home > unit 7: alternative weaponry

smart guns (continued)

Alternative strategies:

NIJ testing of auto-loading pistols

less-lethal weapons

"If one envisions a terrorist/hostage situation, it is conceivable that the use of riot control agents, or directed energy, or a flash bang device could quickly and temporarily disorient or disable all people in the crisis, allowing for the capture of the belligerents and safe recovery of hostages and innocents. Likewise, during a potential suicide crisis or threat, use of a blunt impact projectile or an electrical stunning device could quickly and temporarily incapacitate the individual, preventing the suicide and potential harm to law enforcement officers and bystanders.

A spectrum of non-lethal responses must be made available for law enforcement, peacekeeping, counter-proliferation, anti-terrorism (both domestic and international), management of relations with rogue nations, and other responses at all levels of conflict. New options and applications must be quickly identified and developed. Could your research evolve into an application that might save the lives of citizens and innocent hostages?"

--UNH Non-lethal Technology Innovation Center

Much of the impetus for development of less-lethal weapons has come from a husband-and-wife firm, M2 Technologies, who convinced the Pentagon to create a Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and UNH to create a research center in the field.

Areas of research for military use include:

for Criminal Justice use:

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