Difference between revisions of "Weapons"

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(Improving neutrality and adding Lunar culture section)
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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.  
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==Lunar Culture==
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The lunar settlements will have a different set of values and a different culture. Even though that on Earth the view on weaponry is diverse and controversial, the lunar civilization might choose to ban the right to bear arms.
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Based on the fact of the evolution of the economics system the lunar colony will have a different set of economics that might resemble the capitalism on Earth. However, since the resources at the beginning of the lunar settlement will be scarce, the private property might disappear and then, the use for weapons to defend the mentioned property. Also, the definition of crime and illegal would be subject to the future lunar culture. And with that, the necessity to enforce law through the use of force.
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As the population increases and gets less heavily controlled and pre-selected, the more the problematic aspects of nature might become unavoidable. When this happens, '''weapons might become necessary.'''
  
 
==Small Arms==
 
==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.  
 
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.  
 
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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.  
 
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===  
 
===Specifications for Ideal Solutions===  
We need weapon solutions that are:  
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Lunar weapons might have these specifications:  
 
*Safe for use inside pressurized compartments  
 
*Safe for use inside pressurized compartments  
 
*Minimal or at least reduced ricochet risks  
 
*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===  
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===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.  
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Tazers, Mace and Pepper Spray are legal to possess in the USA, but illegal in Canada and most of Europe. However, the legality of those might be a totally different issue on the moon.
  
 
See also [[Lunar_Bill_of_Rights#Right_to_bear_and_keep_arms]]
 
See also [[Lunar_Bill_of_Rights#Right_to_bear_and_keep_arms]]

Revision as of 01:20, 25 April 2012

Often a controversial subject, weapons -- manufactured or improvised; officially permitted or otherwise -- are a fact of life that will need to be addressed.

Lunar Culture

The lunar settlements will have a different set of values and a different culture. Even though that on Earth the view on weaponry is diverse and controversial, the lunar civilization might choose to ban the right to bear arms.

Based on the fact of the evolution of the economics system the lunar colony will have a different set of economics that might resemble the capitalism on Earth. However, since the resources at the beginning of the lunar settlement will be scarce, the private property might disappear and then, the use for weapons to defend the mentioned property. Also, the definition of crime and illegal would be subject to the future lunar culture. And with that, the necessity to enforce law through the use of force.

As the population increases and gets less heavily controlled and pre-selected, the more the problematic aspects of nature might become unavoidable. When this happens, weapons might become necessary.

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.

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

Lunar weapons might have these specifications:

  • Safe for use inside pressurized compartments
  • Minimal or at least reduced ricochet risks

Possible Solutions

Legal Issues

Tazers, Mace and Pepper Spray are legal to possess in the USA, but illegal in Canada and most of Europe. However, the legality of those might be a totally different issue on the moon.

See also Lunar_Bill_of_Rights#Right_to_bear_and_keep_arms