Electro pulse weapon

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An electro -pulse weapon , also known as an electro-pulse device (EIG) or stun gun, is usually a non-lethal weapon that works on the principle of a controlled electric shock with a high open-circuit voltage and an average low current .

In contrast to a distance electro pulse device (DEIG), in which electrodes are shot at a target from a magazine, this is a weapon that only works when touched and primarily aims to inflict pain on the opponent. The term distanceless devices is also used as a delimitation .

These weapons were probably invented between the First and Second World Wars .

technology

The stun gun generates a high output voltage from a low battery voltage (1.5 to 12 V ). That is why most stun guns are made of plastic for safety reasons and provide this very high voltage to two metal contacts attached to the front . This voltage is often generated by induction: the low battery voltage is electronically "chopped up" (switched off and on) and a very high voltage is generated in an inductance due to the rapid current change that occurs. In some cases the voltage is generated by a high-voltage cascade (capacitive).

If a person is touched with both contacts and the device is triggered, they will suffer an electric shock from the high voltage peaks. That is why the device is called stun gun .

If triggered without contact with a target, an arc is created between the two contacts . This also allows you to estimate how much voltage the stun gun can at least emit: per millimeter of distance between the electrodes in dry air at 20 ° C, this is around 1,000 V.

Depending on the distance between the electrodes, stun guns are offered with voltages of up to a few 100 kV (open circuit voltage); this also applies to devices with the PTB test mark. With modern models, the current intensity of the pulses reaches peak values ​​of up to 14  amperes (with a pulse width of 20 µs over a load of 1 kΩ); the electrical charge emitted is up to 0.15  mC .

Executions

There are basically different versions of the electric shock principle:

  • Hand-held device: A hand-held device has space in the palm of the hand and can be carried practically concealed. The shape is often modeled on a pistol, but only one contact mode is possible.
  • Stick device: With stick devices, the contacts are attached to the tip of a stick, which can be used to keep potential attackers at a greater distance.
  • Stun gun : Several barbed projectiles, depending on the manufacturer and model up to about 10 meters, are fired, which are connected to the weapon by wires. Electric shocks can be emitted by operating the trigger.
  • Wireless stun gun projectile: A projectile that contains a battery or a charged capacitor and barbs is fired with a conventional shotgun or special weapon.

effect

Normally an electro pulse weapon is a non-lethal weapon , because the electric current, looking for the shortest path between the two electrodes, only flows a few centimeters through the body and thus never gets past the heart. Electric shocks can - depending on their strength - be very painful and excruciating in the long run. In individual cases (for example, if the heart is weak and the exposure time is too long), there is the possibility that the target person may be fatally injured. According to a report by a Canadian newspaper, between 2003 and 2007 a total of almost 300 people in North America were killed by such devices. Mostly, however, "secondary fall injuries ", i.e. injuries caused by uncontrolled falls, lead to skin abrasions , bruises , bruises , lacerations , but also to broken bones and even severe traumatic brain injuries, which are responsible for dangerous or even fatal effects . Because of the potentially lethal effect, the term " less lethal weapon " is often used.

There are very few publications recognized by experts on the action and effects of electro-muscular incapacitating devices; Most assessments of the effect are based on case descriptions that have been drawn up on behalf and in the interests of the manufacturer or by police or judicial authorities. Most studies do not meet any scientific requirements.

The resulting electric shock is intended to paralyze the target person's sensory and motor nervous system and render them unable to move. According to the manufacturer, the muscles of the person hit should be paralyzed immediately and put out of action for about a minute. However, this information could not be confirmed in animal experiments on pigs.

The emitted pulse is within the normative limits within which no ventricular fibrillation should be triggered. In fact, it has not yet been scientifically clarified whether the common electro pulse weapons can trigger cardiac arrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation.

According to the manufacturer, the effect is divided into

  • extreme, excruciating, acute pain (guaranteed effect)
  • Burn injuries (electricity brands),

due to the effect on muscles and nerves in the current path

  • Temporary paralysis lasting seconds to minutes (not guaranteed effect)
  • Fall injuries (depending on the circumstances), in particular skull injuries by switching off protective reflexes normally intervening in a fall (the problems are equivalent to problems in falls in epilepsy ),

and as further secondary effects

  • possible hyperventilation (probably as a result of extreme pain and extreme stress ) and the resulting effects (see there)
  • in animal experiments an acidosis , i.e. over-acidification of the blood. According to an opinion for the US Department of Justice, this effect is also held responsible for subsequent deaths after the use of stun guns.

Late effects:

  • unspecific anxiety
  • Anxiety in emerging similar situations (as with any unpleasant experience, see Classical Conditioning )

The effects can vary greatly from person to person:

  • Is the person attacked prepared and trained for an electric shock attack? Can she break through the "state of shock" and continue to act in a targeted manner?
  • Does the attacked person have health problems with their cardiovascular system , does they have implanted electrotherapy devices such as pacemakers ?

The effects also depend on various factors:

  • Do the electrodes have body contact or is the electric shock only transmitted to the body via a spark discharge?
  • What is the condition of the skin surface ( skin resistance )?

Electroshock weapons can cause an explosion in hazardous areas. They can ignite clothing that is soaked or soiled with flammable liquids or fats ( wick effect ).

Abuse as a torture device

Electricity generator used for electric shock torture in a former Iraqi prison. It's a repurposed field phone . Torture was carried out with the bell tension generated by turning the crank.

Stun guns, like other weapons and dangerous objects, can also be used as an instrument of torture . Since the injuries are usually minor and there is usually no physical damage, torture is very difficult to prove.

For these reasons, the sale and export of these devices is prohibited in Great Britain, the Benelux countries, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Germany is the second largest exporter of electric batons after the USA. Customers include Georgia, Bangladesh, Iran and Uzbekistan.

Stun guns that are sold in Germany must bear a PTB test mark. The prerequisite for receiving the symbol is, among other things, that there is no risk of potential torture: the devices must switch off automatically after 10 seconds; if the short-term effective current of a single pulse is between 300 and 500 mA, after 4 seconds.

Export ban

According to Art. 3 in conjunction with Annex II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 on trade in certain goods that could be used for the execution of the death penalty, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment - So-called AntifolterVO - the unauthorized export of electric shock belts, which are designed to force people by delivering electric shocks with an open circuit voltage greater than 10,000 V, is prohibited. The unauthorized import of such goods is in accordance with Art. 4 in connection with Annex II of the Anti-Torture Regulation prohibited. Annex I of the ordinance lists the bodies that can issue a permit. In Germany, for example, this is the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control in Eschborn .

Admissibility according to WaffG

Germany

Distance electrical pulse devices (such as Airtaser) have been generally prohibited in Germany since April 1, 2008 and cannot be approved.

Contact devices (distanceless devices) are now only permitted with restrictions. Contact electro-pulse devices require an official PTB test mark for the harmlessness to health for approval according to Appendix 2 No. 1.3.6 WaffG . However, they are much weaker than distance electro pulse devices, which means that a sufficient effect for self-defense may not always be ensured.

For old devices, there was previously an exemption from the BKA (pursuant to Section 40 (4 ) WaffG) for acquisition, possession and use. This expired on December 31, 2010. Since January 1, 2011, use has only been permitted with devices that bear the PTB test mark. For private individuals who were in possession of a device without a test mark before January 1st, there is the possibility of applying to the BKA (Federal Criminal Police Office) for an exemption for possession. Carrying or reselling these old devices is prohibited.

Austria

In compliance with the legal framework according to StGB §3 "Self-Defense", a non- lethal self-defense can be carried out with stun guns and thus represents an effective alternative to firearms : According to GZ BMI-VA1903 / 0023-III / 3/2017 of March 22, 2017 it was determined that "[ ...] the electric shock weapon ZAP Stun Gun 950,000 volts according to ho. Right view a weapon according to § 1 Z 1 Weapons Act 1996 (WaffG) 1996 as amended. "

Under application of § 1 Z 1 WaffG 1996 it is confirmed that z. B. o. A. Stun gun "[...] is essentially intended to eliminate or reduce the ability of people to attack or defend themselves through direct action [...]" and that it is not a prohibited weapon according to Section 17 subparagraph 1 deals with: "It is prohibited to acquire, import, possess and carry weapons whose shape is suitable for simulating another object or which are disguised with objects of daily use;"

According to § 7 Z 2 it is stipulated: "A weapon is not carried by anyone who has it with him within living or operating rooms or enclosed properties with the consent of the person authorized to use it."

After gem. § 11, Number 1 "The possession of weapons, ammunition . Prohibited and blank cartridges for people under 18 years" is, remains as the only department Edition for sellers the Altersnachweisung the buyer - the issuance of firearms license and weapons pass gem. Section 21 relates to firearms.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the transfer, acquisition, brokerage and movement of electroshock devices "which can impair people's resistance or damage their health in the long term" is prohibited.

See also

Web links

Commons : Electro Pulse Weapons  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Requirements and test rules for the notification obligation for electrical pulse devices. June 4, 2015, accessed December 21, 2018 .
  2. ↑ 16. Fatalities in Canada. Air passenger dies from stun gun. Süddeutsche.de, October 15, 2007 Archive link ( Memento from May 10, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ Martin Grassberger, Elisabeth Türk, Kathrin Yen: Clinical-forensic medicine: Interdisciplinary practical guide for doctors, nurses, lawyers and carers for victims of violence . Springer-Verlag, 2013, ISBN 978-3-211-99468-9 , pp. 453–455 ( limited preview in Google Book Search [accessed February 11, 2017]).
  4. ↑ Jauchem, Johnson, Kuhnel: An Evaluation Of The Electrical Properties And Bio-Behavioral Effects For Commercially Available Tasers And The Jaycor Sticky Shocker. United States Air Force Research Laboratory, June 2003.
  5. ↑ Archive link ( Memento from February 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Helmut Seifert: Elektroimpulsgeräte (EIG), weapons for free trade. Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, December 7, 2011, accessed on December 12, 2018 .
  7. ↑ Supplement to Annex 2 Section 1 No. 1.3.6 of the Weapons Act as of April 1, 2008
  8. ↑ BKA - Homepage - What applies to stun guns? Retrieved December 20, 2018 .
  9. ↑ Federal Gazette No. 236 of December 18, 2007, p. 8289
  10. ↑ BKA - Gun crime - mandatory labeling for electro pulse devices (so-called stun guns). Retrieved December 20, 2018 .
  11. ^ BKA archived copy ( memento from April 17, 2019 in the Internet Archive )
  12. ↑ Legal Information System (RIS) of the Federal Chancellery: Weapons Act 1996 in the current version ( Memento of October 25, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) . Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  13. ↑ securityonline.at: A permitted means of self-defense can be purchased ( Memento from April 22, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  14. ↑ zap-stunguns.eu: Example of a seller's website for a stun gun authorized in Austria ( memento from March 20, 2018 in the Internet Archive ) . Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  15. ↑ SR 514.54 Federal Act of June 20, 1997 on Weapons, Weapon Accessories and Ammunition (Weapons Act, WG). Retrieved December 21, 2018 .