SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The Coast Guard is pushing to introduce non-lethal handguns that could supplement the limitations of taser guns, which are difficult to use in rough seas with strong wind.
According to sources, the Coast Guard is reviewing the idea of introducing the pistol-type non-lethal weapon Smart Revolver developed by SNT Motiv Co., a local defense firm, and distributing them to naval fleets or police stations.
The Smart Revolver has a rotary-type magazine. However, unlike general handguns, it can automatically store information such as the number of bullets, firing angle, location and the time of shooting through a computer program.
The power of nonlethal ammunition is one-tenth that of live ammunition. In other words, it enables the user to overpower counterparts while minimizing casualties.
The Coast Guard expects the Smart Revolver to be more effective than taser guns or gas guns, which are difficult to use at sea, since it is not affected by the wind.
In addition, considering that the use of bullets during the crackdown on Chinese fishing boats illegally trespassing Korean territorial waters could cause a diplomatic conflict with Beijing, the Smart Revolver could be an ideal alternative to conventional bullets.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)