Ever hear the story of the Insane Samurai?
Once upon a time in America, a guy had a katana.
But this was no ordinary man, he was insane.
So, one day, he gets up and thinks:
"I think I'll run around the streets with my sword!"
And he did.
Then, the Police were called! Because the guy was just insane, and wasn't hurting anyone, they decided to bring him down non-lethally. First, they tried shooting small bags with ball-bearings at him. He didn't flinch! Next, they tried rubber bullets, and they guy went down. But, within seconds, he was back on his feet! Water cannons had no effect, and every method was ineffective. For 17 hours! then, they used a combination, and rushed him, successfully subduing him.
17 hours! But its this that shows that police persistance with non-leathal methods can save the lives of both people innocent of crimes, and insane people who really wouldn't hurt anyone.
Anything can be lethal. A gun is a non-lethal weapon if you try to shoot someone in the leg and succeed. But if you use a taser on someone who has heart trouble then you can kill them instantly. What is it if not a minor electric chair without the seat? I think rubber bullets are ridiculous and if forced to choose would favour the old-fashioned water cannon to control unruly crowds. But who decides at what point a demonstration becomes unruly? People shouting for someone's death are not actually making any kind of attempt to kill that person.
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