Criminals, Prepare to be Blinded Into Submission by the StunRay Gun!
- Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:03pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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It’s like something out of Star Wars.
The good guy is chasing the bad guy. But after a while, the good guy falls further and further behind–panting and gasping for air–while the bad guy is nearly out of sight ahead.
But wait!
The good guy pulls his StunRay gun (of submission) from his holster–aims, and shoots.
The weapon then emits a beam so powerful that it incapicitates the bad guy, who stops in his tracks and falls face forward like the fool he is.
Now this can really happen thanks to the StunRay, a new weapon by Genesis Illumination.
Via Wired, “The StunRay gun emits a beam so powerful that it can literally blind.”
The StunRay emits a controlled swath of white light, which claims to be about 10 times more intense than an aircraft landing light. (The company’s website says it is bright enough to read a newspaper a mile away).
Using bright light to incapacitate your foes is an old military idea — weaponeers have been trying it out since World War II, at least. Newer models tend to be laser-based, like the “dazzlers” being used by U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as well as the Neodymium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser envisioned by BAE Systems to blind pesky pirates at sea.
The StunRay is a little different; it uses bright light, not a laser. Apparently, the ray works by sending the optical nerves into overdrive because of surplus stimulus to the retina. Todd Eisenberg, the laser’s inventor, told Scientific American it was the “inverse of blindness.”
Physically, the gun is small and light, weighing about as much as a bag of flour. The width of the beam itself is adjustable so the weapon wielder can change its severity based on the threat level. It’s also got an infrared illumination tool for covert surveillance operations at night.
According to the product’s patent claim, the StunRay gun causes, “disorientation, reduced cognitive abilities or temporarily loss of fine and gross motor skills.”
Is this the new mace?
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Comments (116)
Jack007
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:51pmI see’s the light !!!
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:43pmLock and load…..
Report Post »speedbrake
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:40pm@ Darmack and Jalad at Tangra, Sorry, I think i skipped over your post, but we are thinking alike.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:39pmWould‘nt work on blind dem’s
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:13pmI want one!
Report Post »ae7iv
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:04pmseems l read about this in a Tom Clancy novel. used by Mr. Clark and Mr. Chavez. Book was “Debt of Honor”…
Report Post »JAtlasShrugged
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:32pmYes he did Clark and Chavez used it to blind a series of airline pilots as they were landing causing the planes to crash!
Report Post »martyw
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:01pmBUT WILL it work on the anti-christ (AKA) OBAMA
Report Post »P4cooler
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:59pmDon’t point this at a city bus driver or an airplane on approach. Lethal stuff here…. Easy to rob a victim on the street too.
Report Post »Ponyexpress
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:54pmJust remember…“You are next” Always.
Report Post »Unless the citizenry can have them as well..
galtlogic
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:53pmHow about a real gun so we don’t have to live in fear of criminals. I am so sick of “protect yourself from idenity theft”, “get the home security system…”, “protect your children by…”. How about the criminals suffer rather than the hard-working, law-respecting people buying security. Screw them! I live in a pretty safe area and still have to worry about my kids going anywhere but down the lane we live on. We have to keep coming up with new ways to work against the individuals who violate everyones right to pursue happiness while our goventment wants us to pay for these sick bastard’s healthcare so they can be “secure”.
I know its not the right way to go about it. I’ve just had enough!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:51pm“Is this the new mace”
It doesn’t look like it would fit in a purse.
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:49pmThey needed this in order to stop the Dems in Wisconsin from running out of town when they are challenged.
Report Post »Sorry for the mix up I forgot, they were born challenged.
BetterDays
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:40pmWell I’ve certainly seen the light, how about you?
Report Post »Mr.ManZ
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:40pmBut what if criminal gangs get their hands on his type of weapon, and what is the long term effects?
Report Post »Hjax
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:36pmIs this PETA approved? Must keep the squirrels in mind!
Report Post »parlayer
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:24pmI’ll take my Glock.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:22pmThe frogs around here put there paws over there eyes and peek thru them IMATELLAU.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:28pmTHEIR eyes
Report Post »inferno
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:20pmI hope they use politicians as guina pigs.
Report Post »WesG
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:20pmSo I guess crooks will have to wear sunglasses. They will also have to be looking in your direction. Although does sound really good for crowd control. I wonder if it works on drunks
Report Post »speedbrake
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:34pmBack in the day all a perp needed was a wooden shampoo.That got their undivided attention.
Report Post »Raven53
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:20pmCriminals will now start wearing mirror glasses, why do we worry so much about not hurting the criminal. Shoot the bastards, send them that message !
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:03pmi agree there
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 1:04amRight through that mirror lens.
Report Post »IMaTELLaU
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:12pmSooooo, like gigin frogs, eh?
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:10pmcool but how long are they blind?
Report Post »USNVET66-70
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:19pmJust long enough to file a law suit.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:09pmWait until they use it to suppress dissent.
Report Post »psycodad36
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:18pmprecisely my question
Report Post »EP46
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 6:47amMy first thought. I have also read that they have a weapon that uses ‘sound’ that totally incapacitates people, just like a stun gun. Guess all these ‘toys’ are to be used for Crowd Control. Or perhaps these are the weapons for obama’s Brown Shirt army, you know the Private army funded by the Health Care bill that obama said would be ‘just as well funded and armed as our military”.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:09pmGreat, and when that ray hits a innocent drivers eyes in the path of the light what do you do?
Report Post »BulldogO6
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:20pmYou use a little discretion the same as you would with a .45 in your hand.
Report Post »chfields62
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:30pmDoesn’t do much good if the guy is running away…..
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:48pmYou got that right, CHField. Maybe the Blaze writers should think a little before they spin fantastic tales of what this gun could do. You can’t hit the optic nerve… through the back of the head.
Report Post »BulldogO6
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:59pmYou wouldn’t (shouldn’t) be shooting someone in the back anyway. I can envision many scenarios in which this item would be useful. Hostage situations etc. I wouldn’t discount its usefulness if it works as advertised.
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 10:12pm@Islesfordian
“You can’t hit the optic nerve… through the back of the head”
Well, not with a beam of light anyway. Unless maybe a really powerful, coherent beam of light. But some sort of kinetic projectile still seems more practical, somehow.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:08am@Chfields
Report Post »@Islesfordian
Come on, guys, the bad dude is looking behind him, and the patriot chasing him is My Sacred Honor after a Thanksgiving dinner. :)
BlueStrat
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 5:07pm@ Bulldog
Problem here is your .45 slug won’t/can’t be reflected by any shiny surface, even being split up into multiple random beams in random directions from any irregularly-shaped reflective surface. Hits some dude’s shiny belt-buckle and blinds a passing driver or even an aircraft (police copter?) passing over/near.
Imagine shooting this thing at a “disco-ball”. Now imagine all the little random reflective surfaces scattered around in the various environments where this might be used, including many perps’ “bling”.
This thing is a pink elephant. A very dangerous pink elephant.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:05pmAny thing that stops crime is OK in my book.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:21pmI wonder if an added benefit is that the criminal gets a nice tan.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:26pmAre they going to test it on that evil Tea Party, they get out of hand, you know. Or I am sure Wisconsin has a few roudies in the Capital, you know, those dang Republicans (sarcasm)
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:30pmIf they could only invent a gun that would make the perp lose all bowel and bladder control, drop their IQ to 50, and make them spout gibberish, in other words, it would be a Reid/Pelosi Ray Gun.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:42pm@Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Report Post »Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:30pm
If they could only invent a gun that would make the perp lose all bowel and bladder control, drop their IQ to 50, and make them spout gibberish, in other words, it would be a Reid/Pelosi Ray Gun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I got one of those for Christmas! In addition, it is also a flashlight, a flashing red light, and maybe something else — I don’t know. I’m scared of the blooming thing! I like my gun better!
Cemoto78
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:45pmTry it on congress once, see if it works.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 7:56pm@Showtime
Report Post »They could go back to the “Stick”. A high tech Maple pole that when swung with great velocity, it renders the perp unconscious, it has many reloads and never needs recharged. It is a very “Green” device and when deployed, most perps freeze in fear. It is also endorsed by Rodney King who said after being “Hit” with the device, “Can’t we all just get along?”
jhaydeng
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:07pmLike my mother said, “Don’t be dumb.” Do something dumb and you get what you disserve!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:13pmUse this thing on the Border
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:26pmThey could use a cheaper method, just show the criminals a nude picture of Rosie O Donnell, that will blind them and make them sick, easier to cuff.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:36pmIt‘s ok until it’s used on honest Americans who demand all in DC step down.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 8:38pmHow is a really bright light going to knock down a guy running away from you, almost out of sight?
Report Post »zoose
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:20pmI want one.
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:38pm@Darmok Tanagra,
I think it can only raise a liberals IQ. It’s already too low.
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:43pmARTICLE revised to our new reality…
It’s like something out of (Star Wars) the Obama Administration.
The (good guy) socialist is chasing the (bad guy) capitalist. But after a while, the (good guy) socialist falls further and further behind–panting and gasping for air (cause he is FAT!) –while the (bad guy) conservative is nearly out of sight ahead.
But wait!
The (good guy) socialist pulls his StunRay gun (of submission) from his holster–aims, and shoots.
The weapon then emits a beam so powerful that it incapacitates the (bad guy) capitalist, who stops in his tracks and falls face forward like the (fool) target he is.
Get ready folks… the socialists are coming!!!!
Report Post »jzs
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:46pmWait a second. If the Government can have this weapon, and We The People can’t, then we are subject to tyranny. Any weapon the Government has should be available to any US citizen at gun show. Guns shops and gun shows prevent any illegal aliens and felons and foreigners from purchasing these weapons, so they could not be used by the bad guys.
But what about us, the good guys? When Odumbo attempts to conquer America by force of arms are we going to be at a disadvantage?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 9:47pmI hope they blast you right in the face with it while you jaywalk through traffic.
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 10:07pmIf the good guy wasn’t carrying something that weighs as much as a 5lb bag of flour http://www.genesis-illumination.com/Products/XL2000/xl2000_specifications.html, in addition to all the other crap he has to lug on his pistol belt, maybe he wouldn’t be so out of breath. Maybe he could just catch the bad guy and (beat him up) arrest him the old fashioned way. Just sayin’.
Report Post »HappyStretchedThin
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 10:21pmI’m just wondering how this miracle light bores through the back of the opaque skull, passes another opaque layer of grey matter, through the back of the eyeball and onto the retina of the guy running away NOT FACING the sill stun gun…
Report Post »fawlty
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 10:31pmYes, let’s support the STATE getting more toys to force obedience. Many people have died from the use of tasers. How many innocent people will end up blind or with vision problems? Seizures? How about we start with testing all of these tools of compliance on their enthusiastic supporters like yourself.
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 10:40pmJust finished a novel (fiction) that used a gun like this to blind the driver of Princess Di’s limo in the tunnel just before the crash that killed her. Weird that the gun is now being introduced to the public. Is fact stranger than fiction? Or vice-versa?
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 11:27pmWhat happens when the Tea Party gets classified as a domestic terror organization?
I don’t like technology that gives the wielder unlimited power. Because then, everyone’s safety and liberty is dependent on those in power having morals. And we know they don’t.
Report Post »101
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 12:06amWith today’s technology all they can come up with is a brighter flashlight…brilliant or should I say real bright!
Nice marketing name “STUNRAY GUN” oh, how cosmic…meet George Jetson his boy Elroy, Jane his wife etc.
Report Post »Commonsensical
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 12:40amPolice almost NEVER stop crime! Don’t you people know anything?!?!? All they do is try to catch the criminal AFTER the fact! There is virtually NO concievable scenario in which this device can “stop” a crime from taking place. This is a tool for stopping the murderer/rqapist/thug from fleeing the scene AFTER he has murdered, raped or assaulted you or your loved one. I prefer to stop him BEFORE he gets that far. It‘s every individual citizen’s duty to provide for his own defense. Every cop in America will tell you he cannot be held liable for your protection from those who want to do you harm!
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:48amAnti_Spock : “ARTICLE revised to our new reality…”
——————
Aw, man! Here’s an updated version:
It’s like something out of Star Wars: the Second American Revolution.
The bad guy (SEIU) is chasing the good guy (patriot). But after a while, the bad guy (SEIU) falls further and further behind–panting and gasping for air (cause he is FAT!) while the good guy (patriot) is nearly out of sight ahead.
Then the bad guy (SEIU) pulls his StunRay gun (of submission) from his holster–aims but misses (cause he’s also a dkkhed).
But wait!
The good guy (patriot) turns around, pulls his StunRay gun (of submission – yeah, stupid, he’s got one too!) from his holster–aims, and shoots.
The weapon then emits a beam so powerful that it incapacitates the bad guy (SEIU), who stops in his tracks and falls face forward like the (fool) target he is.
The good guy (patriot) gives a one-finger salute and walks away.
Bring it on commies… American patriots are ready!!!!
Report Post »rgranger
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 5:49amSo it is going to stun a guy looking in the opposite direction and “running away?”
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 6:02amAs long as the crook doesn‘t look back he’s good to go, knowing he won’t be shot. It will give him a little light to see what is in front of him so he don’t stumble.
Also liked Darmoks solution but if the IQ of most crooks were any lower, they wouldn’t be qualified to go in front of a judge. So you could not prosecute them.
Report Post »Libertarian25
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:25amI don‘t know if I’d go so far as to say, “anything that stops crime is ok in my book.“ Definitely not ”anything” is ok. But if a crime is in play, and a police officer is forced into using force to get the alleged criminal to submit, this provides a minimal danger to the officer, the criminal, innocent by-standards, etc…
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 11:42amInnocent until blinded by apprehension. I mean in a court of law.
Report Post »bz0fgf
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:56pmThe other side of the coin is…anything to stop freedom loving patriots from revolting
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:05pmI wonder if it will come with a standard Weaver mount so it can be slung under my M-16?
Report Post »Sweeeeet.
BlueStrat
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 4:53pmThey tout this weapon’s harmlessness, but let a civilian use it against anyone in government. Guaranteed that the civilian will be charged with assault using a weapon with intent to cause great harm and/or to maim.
I’ve personally done many years of work with lasers in industry and can tell you that a coherent beam of the intensity to cause the effects listed for this weapon would necessarily require intensity levels at the human retina far in excess of that needed to cause permanent damage.
Even if the light is in very short pulses, permanent and irreversible retinal damage *will* occur at the levels being discussed here, regardless of how short the pulse is.
I think most people, if they were aware of the actual risks, would prefer to be shot with a rubber bullet or a 12-ga beanbag round rather than this weapon. I know I’d rather have broken bones and/or internal injuries and scars that I have a chance to heal from, as opposed to the permanent damage to, or complete destruction of, one of my most important physical senses.
I also know that, if I were a violent criminal, just the sight of this weapon being brought out would cause me to start shooting before I was (permanently?) blinded. Officers carrying this weapon would be the first target of the bad guy(s) in a tactical situation. Better a gimp leg or arm from a bullet-wound than a white cane, sunglasses, and a dog.
I actually consider this weapon far more cruel than a gun. Even the Geneva Convention prohibited maiming weapons such as these at one time, although I haven’t checked if this has changed since WW2.
We could not previously, to my knowledge under Geneva Convention and International Law, use this type of weapon legally in a war, yet it’s fine for controlling the domestic population?
Why don‘t they just go ahead and distribute mustard and nerve gas to the riot squads while they’re at it? I should probably not give them more bright ideas, but I don‘t doubt it’s already been discussed and even planned for in certain domestic uprising scenarios.
Report Post »Physicist_In_Training
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 12:12amUmm, this isn’t new at all. I was sitting in class several months ago and all my classmates (all physics and math majors, like myself) were talking about whatever high-powered green or blue or violet laser they had, how they made it, where they got it, etc. All you need is a diode and a battery. One girl in my class who works in the observatory would sit with her friends on slow nights and launch balloons into the air and pop them with her green laser. When you purchase these online, you have to check all sorts of boxes saying things like you will not use these in a room with a mirror, you will not point the laser at anyone, the company is not liable for any blindness or retinal damage that occurs, etc. If you don’t want to check the boxes, like I said, materials to make a really intensive laser are readily available (look to your BlueRay DVD players).
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