Difference between revisions of "Weapons"
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| − | + | The following piece discusses weapons for anti-personnel personal defense. Military weapons, and weapons of mass destruction need articles also. | |
| − | + | Often a controversial subject, '''weapons''' -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed. | |
| − | + | Initially it's unlikely to be a problem 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 [[Slugthrower|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. | |
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| − | ==Specifications for Ideal Solutions== | + | 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. |
| − | We need weapon solutions that are: | + | |
| − | *Safe for use inside pressurized compartments | + | <!-- too messy and incomplete; please tinker on before uncommenting |
| − | *Minimal or at least reduced ricochet risks | + | ==Types of Weapons== |
| − | *Affordable -- if you're in trouble you can't count on help in time | + | ===Slugthrower=== |
| − | *Equalizing -- skilled strong people should not have an advantage over the infirm | + | Fires a projectile slug at the target |
| − | *Reusable -- situations may involve more than one assailant, and practice may also be required to competently protect oneself | + | --> |
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| + | ==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== | ==Possible Solutions== | ||
Revision as of 07:15, 5 January 2008
The following piece discusses weapons for anti-personnel personal defense. Military weapons, and weapons of mass destruction need articles also.
Often a controversial subject, weapons -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed.
Initially it's unlikely to be a problem 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.
