List of Non-Lethal Weapons

by Ingrid Lombardo, CNS, Monterrey Institute:
excerpted from excellent article at http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/070608.htm

Active Denial System
(a.k.a. Directed Energy Beam)

* highly focused, electromagnetic wave beam
* heats up top 1/64th inch of skin
* produces intense burning sensation for duration of stimulus
* does not actually burn skin
* symptoms disappear when subject moves out of contact with beam

Blunt Projectiles

* provide alternative to rubber bullets
* include softer, flatter bullets, beanbags, sponges
* designed to spread out impact
* designed not to damage eyes

Calmatives

* drugs that can calm an aggressive individual or crowd
* considering psychiatric drugs, such as Prozac and Valium
* considering "club" and "date rape" drugs, such as GHB and Ketamine

Giant Webs

* durable, Kevlar nets
* designed to halt vehicles, entangle targets

Human Electro-Muscular Incapacitation (HEMI)
(a.k.a. Taser)

* generates an electro-magnetic current
* passes into body through darts, wires, or direct contact
* causes involuntary contraction of skeletal muscles
* body loses posture for duration of stimulus
* products currently in use are M26 and X26 Taser

Malodorants
(a.k.a. "stink bomb")

* repellent smells that quickly clear area
* cause vomiting, disorientation
* smells include vomit, burnt hair, sewage, and rotting flesh

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray
(a.k.a. "pepper spray")

* extracted from capsicum pepper plant
* organic, FDA-approved
* available without prescription in U.S.
* causes severe and immediate burning upon contact with face, nose, and eyes

Sprayable Antitraction Gel
(a.k.a. Mobility Denial System)

* creates surface 10 times as slippery as ice
* surface impossible to drive, walk, or climb on
* non-toxic, biodegradable
* dries up in approximately 12 hours