Rating: NNNNN
An overwhelming number of police officers were dressed in the latest and most expensive riot gear last week, including cool sunglasses. They blocked under-dressed demonstrators trying to get into the western hemisphere finance ministers’ meeting at Bloor and Avenue Road, thus pooping on the party. Until the next dance…
ARWEN 37mm projectile launcher
SPECS fires five rounds in four seconds
uses various types of cartridges, including “beanbag” rounds (pouches filled with metal pellets), tear gas rounds, plain rubber slugs (similar to lead ammo but made of rubber), rubber slugs combined with tear gas, and “barricade-penetrating” plastic bullets filled with tear gas
WHAT IT DOES is considered accurate up to 30 yards under operational conditions
delivers a debilitating blow to a person’s abdomen, but can break bones or kill if used at close range or if a person is hit in the head, throat or heart area
PRICE TAG $2,000, plus $40 a shot (ammo gets cheaper in bulk)
Glock 17 Semi-Automatic PistolSPECS hammer-forged barrel rifling
9 x 19mm calibre
fires up to 17 rounds per magazine
muzzle velocity: 360 metres/second
WHAT IT DOES kills or, if lucky, injures
PRICE TAG $850
Bodyguard LE-10 Pepper Spray
SPECS 55-gram container carried on belt
WHAT IT DOES meant to immediately debilitate subjects within a 3-to-6-foot range
decreases the amount of oxygen reaching a person’s lungs, resulting in choking or gagging
causes severe burning of eyes and skin
forces eyes to contract or close involuntarily
most dangerous when inhaled
PRICE TAG $19 (U.S.)
Casco Straight Baton
SPECS high-impact black plastic
26 inches long, 1 inch diameter
weighs 14 ounces
WHAT IT DOES subdues or intimidates people by striking or jabbing
causes injuries such as broken bones, lacerations and contusions
blows to an individual’s head can cause death
PRICE TAG $18.60 (U.S.)
SOURCES: Toronto Police Service: Use Of Force Committee Final Report (May 1998), and the Defensive Tactics/Use of Force section Jane’s Police And Security Equipment (2000-2001, 1999-2000 editions) Police Services Act the Police Ordinance Company Giovanni’s Gun Shop
