THE warnings on the perimeter wire were unequivocal: “Photography
Prohibited—Lethal Force Authorized”.
My bag was stuffed with cameras as I headed into the headquarters of the
Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate in Quantico, Virginia. Thankfully, nobody
searched me at the door.
I was there for an arms fair in May known as the US Force Protection
Equipment Demonstration, the biggest annual showcase for the latest in
“non-lethal” weaponry.
The exhibition hall was crammed with weapons of all kinds. The overwhelming
majority were designed to control people without killing them. Glancing around,
I could see plastic bullets and soft bags filled…
