Burn, Baby, Burn

Military rifles.  Assault weapons.  Lasers.  Drones. 

All represent military technology being made available to the public for no good reason, with little or no control and generally only toothless enforcement.  All come with a cost to the public in terms of lives lost (actual or in the case of newer technology, potential), or other costs ranging from lost productivity, nuisance, diverted law enforcement resources, and damage.   All have the potential to become dangerous toys for terrorists around the globe.

None has any business in the hands of an "average citizen," but all have nevertheless become popular playthings for the puerile (for no doubt most buyers are male) and often irresponsible jackasses. Granted they may be a minority, but if they're only 5%, they're numerous enough to be a problem.  But jackasses are easily bored, so let's welcome the newest member of the family:

Flamethrowers.   Check it out on the XMatter website. There are left and right-handed models, not to mention interchangeable wands so you can adapt the flame to "your particular application." 

The website doesn't suggest what "applications" there might be, but in my mind, I see this advertising message:

Yes, now YOU can make your friends' eyes light up (and the rest of them too) with your very own gas-propelled firestick.  Other "applications?"   Make short work of those annoying weeds in your back yard.  Light all the candles on grandma's birthday cake at once.  Barbecue a whole herd of cattle at once for your next big backyard party. 

What can be done?  The best solution that comes to mind is that ol' Uncle Sam just insist on owning the patents and designs for the lethal weaponry it pays for, write contracts that forbid the use of such technology in developing "retail" versions, and prosecute violators.  Unrealistic?  Sure, items will still get out, but it would help a bit.  Failing that, of course, requirements for licensing, training, and registration can help. 

Many owners of these items know their weapons, take precautions, and are responsible.  But for those who aren't, unfortunately it isn't usually the owners of these things who get hurt. I've often thought that mandatory stiffer sentences for criminal or felony acts involving the use of such weapons might also at least help get the offenders off the streets.

The problem of reasonable controls is perhaps a bit easier for another recently introduced consumer product, the three-wheeled motorcycle that's being marketed now, taking advantage of a loophole that defines automobiles as having four wheels.  One such (certainly not the only one) is called the Slingshot, described as a cross between a motorcycle and a Ferrari.  It's easy to see how this toy appeals to a segment of the population. It looks cool, it goes fast, it's fun, and isn't inherently lethal (though I will bet that insurance coverage is just a bit pricey). 

It also has few of the safety features of a standard automobile.  Maybe that's a good thing. If those who misuse it are more likely to eliminate themselves in an accident than anybody else, they can thus help reduce the potential danger to others.  For lack of anything better at the moment, we'll have to hope that this is true of flamethrowers too.   

 

Comments

[PiedType]

I couldn't agree more and have been saying much the same thing for several years, especially since the first drone incidents/accidents/infractions. And I think my jaw is still on the floor from when I first saw a story about the flamethrowers being available to the public. Everything you mention should be made illegal and unavailable to the public. The only exception I can think of is maybe granting special drone permits to film companies or other companies with a legitimate use for them.