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FlashLauncher shoots incapacitating pepperballs like a machine gun
When a gun or Taser is overkill and a pocket knife won't get the job done, here's a self-defense device that can put a stinging stream of hot pepper balls right where it hurts. FlashLauncher looks like a big flashlight, and it can work like one, too, with its 100-lumen light. But that's going to come in handy when you need to aim those pepperballs right where you want them, made more accurate by laser-assisted aiming.
At 2.2 pounds, this is a large and heavy weapon, but it's not as hefty as a lot of guns, and it sure beats having to kill somebody who might just be drunk or otherwise temporarily deranged. It's no wimp, spitting out five incapacitating pepperballs in rapid succession like a machine gun. That's gotta hurt, with that stinging impact and then that peppery powder wafting around. Ouch. If it can save your life, the FlashLauncher's $400 price might be worth it.
PepperBall, via Danger Room
By CoolProducts at 3:37 PM ON 10/24/08
This is an awesome idea! And you can't tell me that most ladies who tote around those giant purses can't find some room the carry this bad boy!
By Lone at 6:41 AM ON 10/26/08
Seems dubious. Unless you practice with it (like any projectile) Im guessing in the heat of the moment a lot of people are going to go wide with this. And up close its as much a hazard to the user as the perp, that powder ending up in both faces. Pepperspray/mace or an appropriate taser work just as well at a two thirds to a tenth the cost.
By Scott R at 4:58 PM ON 10/26/08
Being a paintball player, I would be somewhat concerned about using this. Oftentimes, while playing, balls will break before they even leave the gun. In this case, that'd leave the user with a face full of pepper.
By matt at 8:10 PM ON 10/27/08
Piece of junk.
By Bill Vincent at 10:57 PM ON 10/27/08
Interesting concept. It would be quite enlightening to know how the maker addressed the problems that, without more info, seem apparent. A couple were mentioned by previous posters. Premature discharge (don't that sound wrong), accuracy, weight, size...
Matt not withstanding. He's obviously a tool.
By ilopan at 11:54 PM ON 10/27/08
And you'd better hope you don't hit someone directly in the eye with one of those pepper balls and blind them permanently, because that's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
By buzznod at 10:15 PM ON 01/22/10
too expensive
By Eric in Sacramento at 3:46 PM ON 02/03/10
I'm guessing a gun wouldn't seem like overkill when the aggressor takes pepper/gum-ball dispenser and bangs you over the head with it. I'm no aggressor and I would be PISSED if somebody shot me with this. My priorities would be noticeably different if that same person shot me with a pistol, however.
These type of "when guns are overkill" novelties always seem like a sad story waiting to happen.
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Eric in Sacramento:
I'm guessing a gun wouldn't seem like overkill when the aggressor takes pepper/gum-ball dispenser and bangs you ove...More »