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Tactical Gear

There are many types of tactical gear used by law enforcement. But perhaps the most well recognized two are tear gas and the water cannon. Particularly for use in riots, these two items have proven tactical significance for dispersing large crowds non-lethally.

Tear gas is a piece of tactical gear that has been in use since 1915. It works by stimulating the sensitive mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and sinuses with an intense chemical that causes tearing, swelling, hard-breathing, and even temporary blindness. It has been essential to riot control and hostage situations since its creation.

Another prominent piece of tactical gear is the water cannon. Created in the late 1920’s water cannons have been used as a means of riot control since then up to this very day. In the U.S. however, they have become somewhat controversial due in large part to the civil rights movement. The U.S. still makes them to sell to African and Asian countries that employ them regularly. These cannons are capable of delivering a staggering 250 gallons of water per minute. Germany now uses their water cannons to water their public parks in the summer.

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