(Peace) - '..defence forces in nations .. make the .. transformation to non-lethal defence..'

'..that can protect people from armed agressors and/or can repel or constrain them, but does not cause death or major injury..'

'..It is to transform military technology from being generally designed to kill people (in other words ‘lethal’) to being still effective, but non-lethal. The devices employed for this purpose are called ‘Non-Lethal Weapons’ (NLWs). It’s been remarked to me more than once that a ‘non-lethal weapon’ is a contradiction in terms. True in a way – and there has been a good deal of debate about some other issues. For example, so-called NLWs, if used incorrectly, can be lethal. Despite this, the term ‘non-lethal weapon’ is still the most widely recognised and is likely to persist for the moment.

What exactly is a non-lethal weapon? It’s a device that can protect people from armed agressors and/or can repel or constrain them, but does not cause death or major injury..

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What is the advantage of using NLWs rather than lethal weapons? First of all, if we do not kill other people we avoid immense grief and suffering. That alone is probably enough reason. More than that, by avoiding such damage we greatly increase the chances of long-term peace. A non-lethal war might result in deprivation and imprisonment, but this can be much more readily forgiven than death and major injury. There is also a further benefit. Operating non-lethally reduces the climate of violence. This is likely to be true in the civilian context as well. If our police officers do not carry lethal weapons (guns) they set the tone for a less confrontational society. By promoting a culture of non-violence we are more likely to move towards peace on the international front. Most importantly, if our military can transform their operations to non-lethal technology, the most lethal technology of all – nuclear weaponry – becomes obsolete.

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In the last few years, however, I believe that the pendulum has begun to swing back. The military debacles in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown the huge damage and cost of conventional warfare coupled with its overall ineffectiveness in resolving conflicts..

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Long lasting world peace will be accomplished when we become world citizens. Non-lethal weapons can help us along the same path.'

- Non-Lethal Weapons and Peace



Context '..to reduce the damage of war .. defence forces in nations .. make the .. transformation to non-lethal defence..' - Tamingwar.com

(Peace) '..weapons development .. a peaceful or nonweapons application..'

Non-Lethal Weapons Program