DHS Wants Electro-Muscular Disruption Bracelets For Airline Passengers? (EMD)

[AeroSpace News]

Countdown with Keith Olbermann reported tonight that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving consideration to a requirement that shock or stun EMD (Electro-Muscular Disruption) bracelets be worn by all airline passengers.

The EMD bracelet would act like a taser stun gun but be on the passenger wrist from boarding to deplaning and subject to shock by the airline flight crew if deemed needed (or in the event of a system malfunction - stuff does break and go wrong after all).

I sure hope that is not the case.

Any readers know more about this? Your thoughts? Be polite but please do post.

[Dan_Dubious]

Yeah, I saw that too and Googled it just to see if such a ridiculous device existed
and if the DHS was actually be stupid enough to implement it.  According to the
Washington Times there is such a device and the DHS has taken a look at it:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/aviation-security/2008/Jul/01/want-some-torture-with-your-peanuts/

Next, obedience collars (a la Star Trek) to discipline those who overstuff
overhead bins...

[AeroSpace News]

Thanks for your post!

Lamperd Less Lethal calls their "concept" an EMD Safety Bracelet (aka Electronic ID Bracelet) - they ought to be ashamed!

What a galling, appalling, stomach-turning video and notion.

They start by fear mongering with 911 footage and then claim that their so-called EMD Safety Bracelet will increase passenger convenience and be worn willingly by the businessman traveling home to see his family.

I guess there are no businesswomen in their world view.

It does appear as if the video and concept are somewhat old - they mention that improved cockpit doors are supposed to be installed by 2003 (as if it is upcoming).

They belittle that as a measure easily overcome by plastic explosive. Same goes for biometrics (no fan of it here either, but seems to work better than they claim).

But their concept, which is triggered by RF (and laser - see below), is perfect? Right.

RF can be jammed - easily.
It must be activated - what if the crew can't reach the button?
How is it addressed to just the terrorist? "Just a minute, I need to stun the jihadist in seat 3B, then I'll bring you your orange juice."
No doubt it won't be - the whole cabin of self-loading cargo (passengers) would get nailed by the EMD pulse punishing the innocent along with the guilty.
Or there seems to be the option of using a laser pointed within 10 inches of the bracelet (according to comments/notes on the article). That would be easy with a moving terrorist right? No innocent bystander will be nailed, right?
Or, I guess, using the ill-defined grid system, just the unlucky section gets a jolt.

What a stupid, abusive and disgusting idea and that firm ought to apologize for even offering it. If DHS is considering it, they ought to stop and right now. Based on the updates it does appear as if the great minds behind the recovery after Katrina do in fact have interest in this horrible concept.

The article claims DHS official, Paul S. Ruwaldt of the Science and Technology Directorate, office of Research and Development, wrote to the inventor and said, "To make it clear, we [the federal government] are interested in . . . the immobilizing security bracelet, and look forward to receiving a written proposal."

Just what is this country coming to?