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Let's Knock Some Sense Into These Criminals

ON THE STREETS-- Police forces, law enforcement agencies, and security firms are often criticized for their use of fatal force when attempting to enforce the law. When faced with situations that require the use of deadly force, it is often necessary for a peace office to shoot a threatening suspect. While no one denies the effectiveness of firearms as a crime fighting solution, there are other ways to incapacitate the bad guys without killing them. Experts say that fatalities could be reduced significantly if reasonable alternatives were used to disarm and disable criminals.

Around the world, TASERs, rubber bullets, and strong language have been tested with some success to reduce the instances of shooting. Although these more passive peacekeeping methods are questioned by police officers, their application on the streets has shown to reduce the incidences of death, while still maintaining a high rate of capture...with the exception of the strong language.

The knockout gun packs one helluva punch.

A new addition to the peacekeeping arsenal is the Knockout gun, a less-than-lethal, and more-than-fun way to incapacitate suspects, enemies, and offenders.

The knockout gun is a specially-designed pistol with a real wallop. Most effective at short ranges, the knockout gun allows a peace officer to go toe-to-toe with a suspect without the threat of killing him.

"These new pistols pack a real punch," said Pierce Armour, owner of Top Gunz, a local firearms distributor. "They're effective, but they need to handled with kid gloves. They're definitely not for lightweights. And each knockout gun is good for twelve rounds."

Many field situations require the use of force, and with increased technologies in the area of non-lethal force options (pepper-spray, nets, bean bags), mortal wounding can be significantly reduced. The fiscal cost saving for using these technologies can be significant, not to mention the expensive and bothersome litigation costs. In fact, many courts have mandated the use of non-lethal options in cases where lethal force was deployed.

All too often, police forces have taken it on the chin from media about their use of excessive force. But the knockout gun is quickly gaining popularity with police agencies who are striking the first blow against lethal-force. However, discretion is urged when choosing to use this when to use it.

"Yes, there are risks involved with using the knockout gun: broken noses, black eyes, and cauliflower ears," said police spokesperson Jill Mayberry, who has taken many jabs from the media for her force's use of deadly-force in the past. "But these injuries are a much better alternative than, oh, let's say, death."

Traditionally, in cases where a peace officer has had probable cause to believe that a suspect posed a threat of serious physical harm either to himself, the officer, or innocent bystanders, the use of deadly force would be authorized. But with less-than-lethal options like the knockout gun, fatal shootings can be avoided.

"There was one incident where I was forced to use the knockout gun," said police constable Blaine Ensimple. "The suspect was trying to flee, so I punched his lights out...his headlights that is. I was holding the gun wrong and I missed the guy, instead striking at the front of his '97 Toyota. I was ready to throw in the towel, but the suspect froze in his tracks after seeing what the knockout gun could do."

Will these new "safer" weapons be able to go the distance? Will they be able to deliver the one-two punch against deadly force?

While it remains to be seen whether new methods such as the knockout gun will replace traditional firearms, most people will agree that a blow to the head would be much preferred than blowing a head off.

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