Difference between revisions of "Weapons"
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Often a controversial subject, '''weapons''' -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed. | Often a controversial subject, '''weapons''' -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed. | ||
| − | Initially | + | ==Small Arms== |
| + | Initially the question of what small arms to provide for is unlikely to matter as situations outside of Earth's atmosphere where weaponry is going to be needed are at least initially going to be highly improbable. | ||
As the population increases and gets less heavily controlled and pre-selected, the more the problematic aspects of nature will become unavoidable. When this happens, weapons will become both necessary and unavoidable. | As the population increases and gets less heavily controlled and pre-selected, the more the problematic aspects of nature will become unavoidable. When this happens, weapons will become both necessary and unavoidable. | ||
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<!-- too messy and incomplete; please tinker on before uncommenting | <!-- too messy and incomplete; please tinker on before uncommenting | ||
| − | ==Types of Weapons== | + | ===Types of Weapons=== |
| − | ===Slugthrower=== | + | ====Slugthrower==== |
Fires a projectile slug at the target | Fires a projectile slug at the target | ||
--> | --> | ||
| − | ==Specifications for Ideal Solutions== | + | ===Specifications for Ideal Solutions=== |
We need weapon solutions that are: | We need weapon solutions that are: | ||
*Safe for use inside pressurized compartments | *Safe for use inside pressurized compartments | ||
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*Reusable -- situations may involve more than one assailant, and practice may also be required to competently protect oneself | *Reusable -- situations may involve more than one assailant, and practice may also be required to competently protect oneself | ||
| − | ==Possible Solutions== | + | ===Possible Solutions=== |
* [[Tazers]] | * [[Tazers]] | ||
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* [[Mace]] | * [[Mace]] | ||
| − | ==Legal Issues== | + | ===Legal Issues=== |
What will be the legal jurisdiction? Most countries prohibit possession of weapons of any kind. For example, Tazers, Mace and Pepper Spray are legal to possess in the USA, but illegal in Canada and most of Europe. | What will be the legal jurisdiction? Most countries prohibit possession of weapons of any kind. For example, Tazers, Mace and Pepper Spray are legal to possess in the USA, but illegal in Canada and most of Europe. | ||
Revision as of 20:14, 5 January 2008
Often a controversial subject, weapons -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed.
Contents
Small Arms
Initially the question of what small arms to provide for is unlikely to matter as situations outside of Earth's atmosphere where weaponry is going to be needed are at least initially going to be highly improbable.
As the population increases and gets less heavily controlled and pre-selected, the more the problematic aspects of nature will become unavoidable. When this happens, weapons will become both necessary and unavoidable.
The real problem arises in the question of what weapons are suitable. It would be less than optimal to carry large calibre slugthrowers for use in a pressurized hull with hard vacuum on the other side and potentially dozens or more people at risk of decompression from even an accidental discharge. Furthermore, bullets bounce all over the place. even shots fired from air pistols exhibit unpredictability indoors.
Edged weapons may be okay for most environments, but those often support the physically strong. Grandma can't protect herself with a sword as well as she can with a terrestrial .357 magnum.
Specifications for Ideal Solutions
We need weapon solutions that are:
- Safe for use inside pressurized compartments
- Minimal or at least reduced ricochet risks
- Affordable -- if you're in trouble you can't count on help in time
- Equalizing -- skilled strong people should not have an advantage over the infirm
- Reusable -- situations may involve more than one assailant, and practice may also be required to competently protect oneself
Possible Solutions
Legal Issues
What will be the legal jurisdiction? Most countries prohibit possession of weapons of any kind. For example, Tazers, Mace and Pepper Spray are legal to possess in the USA, but illegal in Canada and most of Europe.
