From: Chuck Kuecker (ckuecker@mcs.net)
Date: Fri Jun 04 1999 - 07:14:54 MDT
At 04:51 AM 6/4/99 -0700, Mark wrote:
>
>But in the real world, current non-lethal weapons really aren't very
>effective; much easier to rent or buy a gun and threaten someone with it
>than zap them. I thought we were talking about Trek-style phasers here,
>which knock people out for at least a few minutes?
>
My business partner likes to 'test' stun guns on himself at gun shows -
especially when there's a big knot of people watching the seller's
demonstration of inch long hot sparks. The biggest effect I have seen him
register is that his smile sometimes gets a bit tighter.
I think these gadgets have more deterrent effect due to the noisy and
flashy arcs than their actual effect - but then I have no personal
experience of their effect, being morally opposed to receiving ANY
electrical shocks I can't avoid...
The amount of power needed to get a real 'stun' might border on lethal
levels. Pain might be a better deterrent than actual 'stun' - this can be
obtained with current limited 400 Hz AC at less than 100 volts. This I know
- having gotten afoul of aircraft AC power more than once.
Any electrical device of this nature carries with it the risk of death to
some individuals, however. We are a long way from Star Trek yet.
Chuck Kuecker
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