Nonlethal weapons.

• Author: Mintzer, Mike
• Position: Readers' Forum

In reference to several articles in the July 2014 issue of National Defense on nonlethal weapons, with both a military and a law enforcement background, I wince every time 1 hear or read the term "nonlethal weapon." It is an oxymoron at a minimum, and wildly inaccurate at all other times.

Most law enforcement agencies have figured out that the term is a public relations disaster and a legal nightmare, as in, "So sergeant, can you explain to the jury and the court how you killed the victim with your nonlethal weapon?" and, therefore, now refer to them as "less-lethal" weapons/ ammunition/operations.

A person who is struck directly by a 40mm or 66mm round can be killed by them, a bean-bag or a rubber round. If they hit the wrong spot, they can break ribs. An elderly person caught up in a...