The US government has unveiled a "non-lethal" laser rifle designed to dazzle enemy personnel without causing them permanent harm. But the device will require close scrutiny to ensure compliance with a United Nations protocol on blinding laser weapons.The Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHASR) rifle was developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory in New Mexico, US, and two prototypes have been delivered to military bases in Texas and Virginia for further testing.The US Department of Defense (DoD) believes the weapon could be used, for example, to temporarily blind suspects who drive through a roadblock. However, the DoD has yet to reveal details of how the laser works and has yet to respond to New Scientist’s requests for further information.Laser weapons capable of blinding enemies have been developed in the past but were banned under a 1995 UN convention called the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons. The wording of this protocol, however, does not prohibit lasers that temporarily dazzle a foe.

"In the past, the problem with lasers of this type has been that they often permanently blind human targets," says Tobias Feakin, an expert at Bradford University's Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project in the UK.But he says newer systems may avoid this problem by using less powerful laser beams. "This new wave of low-intensity laser weapons do not have a permanently damaging effect, apparently," he told New Scientist. Several laboratories across the world are working on such weapons. But even low power laser systems can cause eye damage if they are used at close quarters or for extended periods.

View: Full Article | Source: New Scientist

Yesterdays science fiction has as habit of becoming todays reality!

What next?

Not quite at the "hand held" stage just yet still they'll get there.

well... it looks cool

The US is notorious for developing weapons they think are harmless. I was subject to one of their secret weapons employed by those dangerous Pirates of the Caribbean during a trip to Disneyland.
For months now I am awakened to the excruciating pain of “it’s a small world after all” Playing in my head like the bells of hell itself.

Beware the weapons of mass annoyance!

Irish

Beam weapons still require large power sources so are impractical to an extent. Micro waves and sound "Sonic" weapons may end up being more portable.

Funny how they make laws prohibiting power weapons from harming people , but don't make a law about Bullets and Bombs. This is one strange World we live in!

I completly agree

Weird...looks like something out of the Fifth Element

Still, as someone said, its hardly "hand-held" at this stage...though, give em a few years and it'll be as small as a regular taser.