Do you have a problems with Airport Security clamping on a "Stun-gun" bracelet to your wrist before you board?

Question

I have a MAJOR issue with this!

They are actually seriously considering this---->>>>>>

http://www.gadling.com/2008/07/07/update-dept-of-homeland-security-weighs-forcing-passengers-to/?icid=200100397x1205305335x1200244680

Answer 1

No, they aren't considering this. It is an urban legend.

I saw all the hoo-rah about this yesterday, and this gadling site continues to make claims, but it is all B.S.

To whit:

Sometimes it just amazes me how these stories evolve. Let me start off by saying that the Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate nor TSA have been pursuing shock bracelets for airline passengers as alleged by the Washington Times Blog.

This allegation stemmed from a misleading video posted on the Lamberd Website which depicts an ID bracelet that would contain identifying information as well as the ability to stun the wearer. The company claims to connect use of such a device to DHS and TSA, but no discussions between these agencies has ever taken place.

This all originated from a meeting held two years ago with a private company representative (not Lamberd) who proposed bracelet technology in response to the TSA's desire to find less-than-lethal means to detain an apprehended suspect.

The bracelet was never intended to replace boarding passes, contain ID information or be worn by all passengers as asserted in the Lamberd video and discussed in the Washington Times Blog.

The hypothetical use of the bracelet would have been for transporting already apprehended prisoners and detainees at prisons and border patrol facilities, and DHS was looking to see if there were potential air travel applications for apprehended suspects.

This concept was never funded or supported by the DHS or TSA and hasn't even been discussed for two years. The letter circulating throughout the blogosphere from Paul Ruwaldt was not addressed to Lamberd and merely states the DHS was interested in learning more about the technology. Neither side followed up.

DHS/TSA does NOT support the asserted use and has not pursued the development of such technology.

July 8, 2008 at 5:08 p.m.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/a...

(Scroll down to the commentary and look for the 5:08PM timestamp)

Answer 2

Since you felt the need to post the same question twice, repeating my response from before:

If you've read any of Jeffrey White's other articles he tends to be very anti-airline, anti-government, etc. so please keep that in mind when reading this article.

After reading this response from the company that designed the bracelet, I actually wouldn't mind the bracelet at all.

Quoted from source:

"The bracelets remain inactive until a hijacking situation has been identified. At such time a designated crew member will activate the bracelets making them capable of delivering the punitive measure - but only to those that need to be restrained. We believe that all passengers will welcome deliverance from a hijacking, as will the families, carriers, insurance providers etc. The F-16 on the wing-tip is not to reassure the passengers during a hijacking, but rather to shoot them down. Besides activation using the grid screen, the steward / stewardess will have a laser activator that can activate any bracelet as needed by simply pointing the laser at the bracelet - that laser dot only needs to be within 10 inches of the bracelet to activate it."

As clearly stated there, the bracelets are inactive until a hijacking situation has been identified. So for all the anti-government, paranoid super-liberals out there screaming about accidental activation: You can stop now. I know loads of people will be protesting because "big brother" is monitoring them on the plane through these bracelets but the fact of the matter is: If you're not doing anything wrong, what's the big deal?

Personally if I'm on a plane I'd feel a lot safer knowing that in the case of a terrorist threat, there is a security measure in place to take the terrorist down other than an F-16 shooting the plane down. The fact that the bracelet is able to monitor the whereabouts of both you and your luggage after check-in is just a fringe benefit to me. One less boarding pass to get lost and less of a chance of my luggage going missing.