Lots of talk these days about the use of non-lethal force on those who choose to turn a peaceful protest into a riot.
Gases, rubber bullets, noise, etc.
Obviously, use of these items should be restrained solely to use when crowds are getting out of control and causing damage to property and harm (or potential harm) to others.
I found a couple good reads on this.
From tear gas to rubber bullets, here’s what ‘nonlethal’ weapons can do to the body
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/06/what-nonlethal-weapons-can-do-to-the-body-george-floyd/
The Deadly Truth About Rubber Bullets
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2020/06/08/the-deadly-truth-behind-rubber-bullets/#8ec88d321f8a
From the second link:
A rubber bullet is a pain compliance weapon: it relies on inflicting enough suffering on someone to deter them from a course of action, such as throwing stones. The problem is that the more determined someone is, the more pain you have to inflict to stop them. Highly motivated individuals can withstand extreme pain — organizations like the Marine Corps train recruits to punch, kick and fight through despite the agony of being pepper sprayed (video here).
Pepper spray aggravates pain receptors but is relatively harmless and usually has no lasting effect; inflicting the same level of pain with blunt impact is far more damaging. A 2017 review in the British Medical Journal found that 15% of patients treated for injuries from “nonlethal” projectiles suffered permanent damage and 3% died.
It's serious stuff. Yes, it needs to be available for use. But, use MUST be restrained.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
Gases, rubber bullets, noise, etc.
Obviously, use of these items should be restrained solely to use when crowds are getting out of control and causing damage to property and harm (or potential harm) to others.
I found a couple good reads on this.
From tear gas to rubber bullets, here’s what ‘nonlethal’ weapons can do to the body
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/06/what-nonlethal-weapons-can-do-to-the-body-george-floyd/
The Deadly Truth About Rubber Bullets
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2020/06/08/the-deadly-truth-behind-rubber-bullets/#8ec88d321f8a
From the second link:
A rubber bullet is a pain compliance weapon: it relies on inflicting enough suffering on someone to deter them from a course of action, such as throwing stones. The problem is that the more determined someone is, the more pain you have to inflict to stop them. Highly motivated individuals can withstand extreme pain — organizations like the Marine Corps train recruits to punch, kick and fight through despite the agony of being pepper sprayed (video here).
Pepper spray aggravates pain receptors but is relatively harmless and usually has no lasting effect; inflicting the same level of pain with blunt impact is far more damaging. A 2017 review in the British Medical Journal found that 15% of patients treated for injuries from “nonlethal” projectiles suffered permanent damage and 3% died.
It's serious stuff. Yes, it needs to be available for use. But, use MUST be restrained.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt