The personnel halting and stimulation response rifle (PHASR) is a prototype non-lethal laser dazzler developed by the US Department of Defense.

Its purpose is to temporarily disorient and blind a target.

Blinding laser weapons have been tested in the past, but were banned under the 1995 UN Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons, which the United States acceded to on 21 January 2009. The PHASR rifle, a low-intensity laser, is not prohibited under this regulation, as the blinding effect is intended to be temporary. It also uses a two-wavelength laser

    • FireTower@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
      0·
      10 months ago

      The National Institute of Justice recently awarded ScorpWorks $250,000 to make an advanced prototype that will add an eye-safe laser range finder into PHaSR. Systems such as PHaSR have historically been too powerful at close ranges and ineffective but eye-safe at long ranges. The next prototype is planned to include the addition of the eye-safe range finder and is planned for completion in March 2006.

      Based on the article from Defense Review and the drop off of serious articles discussing it I’m guessing that the range difficulties made this unreasonable for police applications.

      • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.mlEnglish
        0·
        10 months ago

        I’m glad they’re not effective for riot control. Using these types of weapons against civilians is dystopian.

        • w2tpmf@lemmy.worldEnglish
          01·
          10 months ago

          Using these types of weapons against civilians is dystopian.

          Tear gas, batons, fire hoses, pepper balls, and shotguns with bean bags are all still ok though, right?