The innovative savvy of American electrical engineers always astounds. If
something terrible can be built in the name of security, they never shirk.
Who else would be brilliant enough to come up with a water gun that carries
molar-rattling electrical shocks?
Jaycor's electrocuting water cannon falls under the black and moldy
umbrella of nonlethal weapons technology, once again in the national
security spotlight courtesy of a recent National Academy of Science report
recommending more of it. Jaycor reports on such applications are the first
two footnotes in the document of blighted science.
The aqueous electrocutor sprays a "high-pressure saline solution with
additives" mixed in to maximize range in putting down that troublesome
rabble. "[Debilitating] but not lethal shocks" move through the water jet,
according to Jaycor's online brochure. The company hints the voltage can be
turned up "to deliver potent electrical shocks to equipment as well as
individuals."
More conventional shockers sometimes leave hooks embedded in victims. With
the electrical supersoaker, there's no need for surgery to take them out.
Plus you can hit more people at once.
Jaycor certainly has expertise in this area. It has manufactured something
called the Sticky Shocker, a technological annoyance that looks like the
giant cocklebur from hell. It's designed to lodge on people with "tenacious
glue" and barbs in order to dispense stunning volts.
Although the latest hazard to humanity hasn't been tested on live subjects,
Jaycor material claims it is voltage-regulated according to some
Underwriters Laboratories standard of acceptable partial electrocution. One
can only wonder at the way such a remarkable standard was arrived
at—perhaps by dropping hair dryers or radios into bathtubs occupied by
volunteers?
It is patently obvious that a vehicle-mounted shocking water hose is an
atrocious mechanism that would instantly doom the career of anyone who
ordered its use on American streets. As with most nonlethal wonder weapons,
there would simply be no way to make it look merciful on the evening news.
Sales to overseas tyrant-allies might be an option, though. Penn State
University's Applied Research Laboratory runs an odious Web site devoted to
shilling for nonlethal weapons, a function it claims is part of a trusty
service to the military and public-at-large. The school suggests various
technical means for putting down crowds, and provides a convenient vendor
link to the Jaycor electrocutor along with other delivery systems for pain
and discomfort.
"Penn State Applied Research Laboratory can assist you in developing a
policy plan for using crowd control," advertises the school brightly.
Strategies for electrical excruciations, fresh on demand from the academy.
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=03/01/30/1091894
