Dod Wants To Field Non-Lethal Weapons In Hurricane-Prone States
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) wants to furnish certain National Guard divisions with new non-lethal weapons so that they will have added capabilities that go beyond those of conventional weapons. This includes states that are vulnerable to hurricanes, those with large population centers, and those along the Mexican border.
The effort derives from lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which triggered the dispatching of active-duty and National Guard units. The DOD is requesting $8.8 million to purchase 94 “non-lethal capability sets” and 47 “acoustic hailing devices” for the National Guard in 16 states, U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. The request is a part of $4.4 billion fiscal 2006 omnibus reprogramming request recently sent to Congress by the Pentagon.
The equipment sets comprise many items already used by several law enforcement groups that seek to control large numbers of people without the use of deadly force. Such equipment would eventually be supplied to all 54 states and territories, according to a DOD official.
The sets feature non-ballistic face shields, expandable riot batons, non-ballistic body shields, non-ballistic riot shin guards, flexicuffs, Tasers, Taser cartridges, FN-303-type paint guns, and a Mossberg 12-gauge beanbag shotgun.
The acoustic hailing devices allow sound waves to travel distances that exceed the range of small-arms weapons, and can also concentrate sounds, including voice commands.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Inside the Army (07/10/06) Vol. 18, No. 27.