Air War College class demonstrates the use of non-lethal weapons

Army Maj. Jason Sama, Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate education officer, oversees as Army Lt. Col. James McGlaughn, Air War College student, fires a stun gun at a target during the Non-lethal Weapons and Effects class at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Oct. 23, 2014. During the class, AWC students became familiar with about seven different types of non-lethal weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Donna L. Burnett)

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Air War College class demonstrates the use of non-lethal weapons

Lt. Col. Robert Waarik, Air War College student, practices shooting non-lethal ammunition at a target during a Non-lethal Weapons and Effects class at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Oct. 23, 2014. The use of non-lethal weapons gives military members more options when defending themselves and others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Donna L. Burnett)

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Air War College class demonstrates the use of non-lethal weapons

Lt. Col. Dave Osterman, Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate capabilities and requirements division chief, explains the flash-bang non-lethal weapons ammunition to Air War College students during a Non-lethal Weapons and Effects class at Maxwell Air force Base, Alabama, Oct. 23, 2014. Weapons introduced included the stun gun and bean bag rounds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Donna L. Burnett)

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Air War College class demonstrates the use of non-lethal weapons

Published Nov. 3, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air War College's Non-lethal Weapons and Effects elective class demonstrated the use of non-lethal weapons to its students at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Oct. 16, 2014.

The class is designed to show military members that they have other options when it comes to defending themselves. Students were given the opportunity to shoot some of the seven different alternative ammunitions so they would understand how they work and become familiar with them.

Among the different weapons presented was the stun gun.

When a stun gun trigger is pulled two barbs are projected toward the attacker and affix to their clothing, passing an electrical current through the wire to the attacker. The electrical current charges their muscles and paralyzes them momentarily.

"People will say the [stun gun] tortures people because it shoots them with electricity," said Army Lt. Col. Glenn Schmick, Air War College student. "Most injuries involving a stun gun are not from the weapon itself, but attackers falling over after they have been stunned."

Another useful weapon showed during the class was the bean bag round. The bean bag round shoots out of a M203 grenade launcher.

"It's like throwing a hacky sac or softball at 1,000 feet per second," said Schmick. "It feels like getting punched in the head, but, generally speaking, there is a low chance of death."

Non-lethal weapons provide military members an alternative approach to enforcing security measures.

"Non-lethal weapons give military members options on how to deal with people during humanitarian efforts," said Schmick.

Unlike lethal weapons that fires bullets, which can harm innocent people, non-lethal weapons have a limited range and are specific to its target.

"Non-lethal weapons accomplish the mission without killing individuals," said Glenn Latendresse, Air War College student.