NCJ Number
147861
Date Published
1972
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This report contains a review of the problems and issues concerning nonlethal weapons for law enforcement and related uses, an assessment of the general significance of these issues, and recommendations of research and development priorities.
Abstract
For purposes of this report, nonlethal weapons are defined as coercive devices and agents intended, in normal law enforcement applications, not to create a substantial risk of permanent injury or death. Following are the report's major conclusions. Nonlethal weapons should be considered supplements to firearms, rather than replacements for them. Nonlethal weapons must be related to user needs and constraints. A number of performance criteria should be established for nonlethal weapons. Aside from the nightstick and chemical agents, few of the less than lethal weapons that have been developed have been tested, evaluated or put into use. Many have serious deficiencies, particularly with regard to public acceptance and possible harmful side-effects. The introduction of adequate and appropriate new weapons is hindered by many factors, including fragmentation of the weapons market, inadequate evaluation procedures, overblown claims and inadequate research, and lack of training in weapons use. Objections to nonlethal weapons ranged from the tactical (e.g., they will be a hindrance to law enforcement by aggravating conflicts to the philosophical) (e.g., the proper emphasis to be placed on technologic approaches to solving the Nation's social problems). A systems approach that takes into account the full range of factors affecting a police officer's response to situations is needed to guide nonlethal weapons research and development. Footnotes, references, appendixes