A recent blog at the WashingtonTimes.com mentions government interest in an electronic ID bracelet that a company Lamperd Less Lethal suggests would be worn by all air travelers until they disembark at their destination. This handy device would carry all pertinent passenger information electronically replacing the boarding pass. Let’s not forget its biggest feature, a Electro-Muscular Disruption device or EMD to quell terrorists. As if flyers didn’t have enough to worry about with terrorists, plane crashes, being squeezed into seats made for elf sized people, now you can fly with a Taser strapped to your body too.
Fortunately, it seems this device has yet to make it off the design table yet and is one of those things that should be dropped in the trash can while it is still on paper. I watched the concept video by Lamperd and I just see too many holes in it. How do they control whose EMD gets activated? Do they blast everyone? Do they need to lookup some sort of code number and punch that in? Is it ranged based? It just doesn’t make sense. The company’s assertion in the video that wearing the EMD “safety bracelet” would be a small inconvenience for the safety it provides are sadly mistaken. I have absolutely no interest putting airline employees in charge of a device capable of causing great pain and temporarily disabling me. They already have a similar power by stuffing us in those chairs like sardines for hours at a time.
The buzz generated by the Washington Time’s blog hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lamperd. They posted to their site commenting on the uptick in bandwidth caused by the blog, saying, “It is amazing how so many can say so much knowing so little about our new research project - go figure”. I say, it’s amazing that a company can propose such a device knowing so little about how the American public feels about our individual freedoms and rights. How do you feel about it?
(Image Credit: lamperdlesslethal.com)
Comments are closed on this article
johnny3144
July 08, 2008 at 9:04pm
so... the goal here is to disable to hi-jacker right? why not just get 2 flight marshal who is armed with taser gun? no more deadly harm to other passenger, and they are unlikely to experience unnessary pain.
as a side note... the video above makes no sense at all... he just said airport have super bomb detection machines... how could the hi-jacker blow up the door with a bomb? we aren't even allow to carry water with us anymore!
horzo
July 08, 2008 at 9:47am
How about this...
If the airlines increase legroom in coach by about a foot, stop hiring unattractive and surly flight attendants, put electrical outlets in all the seats, and make wireless standard... I'll wear a bracelet.
Satchboy
July 08, 2008 at 8:33am
If one of the purposes is to subdue terrorists what would happen if the terrorists got their hands on the main control device that tells which taser to turn on?
Also, unless the wristbands are made of adamantium, the terrorists could probably find a way to cut them off while in the washroom.
deadBird
July 08, 2008 at 7:48am
Both physically and metaphorically... the knee jerk reaction will continue long after 9/11.
Talcum X
July 08, 2008 at 6:27am
Not to worry, its only on my end. Stupid IS has many sites blocked that sell things or have videos.
Anyway, if they want to deture bad behavior/terrorism, we should all be packing. It's called Mutually Assured Destruction. It works for the nations of the world (who have such weapons), it would work in the private sector as well. Now that may just be my NRA upbringing, but it makes sence to me.
If they want to stun an unruly passanger without such a device, then install tasers in the seats. Kind of negates the whole "floatation device" of them, but at least you dont have to wear it during the flight.
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Every morning is the dawn of a new error.
Haipyng
July 08, 2008 at 6:52am
In the post 9/11 world, I can't imagine passengers just letting them take over the plane thinking that things might work out okay. A terrorist today better hope he packed a heavy machine gun to hold off the panicked passengers from tearing him to shreads while he tries to take over the plane. Anything less and there wouldn't be anything left of him to stand trial.
Haipyng
July 08, 2008 at 6:15am
Anyone else think that the image from Lamperd's website looks like a Counter Strike clan's logo?
hogkill
July 08, 2008 at 8:35am
lol yes, cs source was the first thing that popped into my mind
http://www.lamperdlesslethal.com/images/header_image.jpg
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