WEAPONS designed to fire "electric bullets" into crowds are being developed for police and border protection agencies in the US. The Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, has launched an "innovative less-lethal devices for law enforcement" programme to radically expand the capabilities of electric shock weapons.

The programme aims to develop wireless weapons that can be used over greater distances in spaces such as "an auditorium, a city street or a sports stadium".On impact, the device sticks to the target and delivers an 80,000-volt shock for 7 seconds, using a pulsed delivery similar to that used by Tasers. Further shocks can be triggered via remote control.

Learn more about this and other HSARPA tasty treats in US shoots ahead in stun gun design at NewScientist and in
Homeland Security Orders Modern Version of Jules Verne's Leyden Ball at LiveScience.