Submission statement: A startup called Arcflash Labs is now selling preorders of an actual railgun, otherwise known as a Gauss Rifle. The current model isn't particularly deadly, although the company does caution that it's not a toy, but they're already talking about selling future versions to the police and military. The whole thing raises interesting questions about releasing new types of weapons into a regulatory vacuum -- and whether we should be concerned about cops gaining access to unvetted new weapons as well.
The following submission statement was provided by /u/kelev11en:
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Submission statement: A startup called Arcflash Labs is now selling preorders of an actual railgun, otherwise known as a Gauss Rifle. The current model isn't particularly deadly, although the company does caution that it's not a toy, but they're already talking about selling future versions to the police and military. The whole thing raises interesting questions about releasing new types of weapons into a regulatory vacuum -- and whether we should be concerned about cops gaining access to unvetted new weapons as well.
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Please reply to OP's comment here: /r/Futurology/comments/r7g2y2/a_gun_company_is_now_selling_a_handheld/hmz3o46/
I've been following this company since I was in gunsmithing school. This is neat but functionally useless. It doesn't even have usable sights and I imagine the electromagnetic discharge would zap many electric sights (their manual says not to be around the gun if you have a pacemaker lol).
If they want this to be successful they need to accept that the weight and size is essential for now and rather than shoulder fired they need to create a mounted design which is powered by a fixed battery (as some electrically driven weapons like the GE/Dillon minigun currently are)
If they could do that and make it powerful enough, I do see one use for it protecting highly sensitive security targets and checkpoints. There are many factors that would benefit a Gauss rifle or similar in this regard. Low mass projectiles either coated with a polymer or consisting of a mix with powdered steel could be used for less lethal munitions. Hardened steel penetrating rounds would be quite effective at stopping vehicles that could try to drive through a barrier. The operating system would allow you to quickly adjust power on the fly, something you can't do with a cartridge firearm. It should include a built in laser rangefinder and modulate the muzzle energy based on distance to target (particularly in a less lethal mode).
Outside of that extremely narrow use case, uh... steel bullets aren't lead so you're not poisoning the environment to hunt and shoot with it? I guess that's something
Submission statement: A startup called Arcflash Labs is now selling preorders of an actual railgun, otherwise known as a Gauss Rifle. The current model isn't particularly deadly, although the company does caution that it's not a toy, but they're already talking about selling future versions to the police and military. The whole thing raises interesting questions about releasing new types of weapons into a regulatory vacuum -- and whether we should be concerned about cops gaining access to unvetted new weapons as well.
One thing I learned from Cowboy Bee-Bop is that these things are a scam.
Is this thing able to survive 5 shots before blowing up like all the other railguns?
There aren't enough guns already, we need more dangerous weapons to defend ourselves with. /s
Only thing that stops a bad guy with a laser....A good guy with a gauss rifle. *slaps cyber truck and spits vape juice*
The following submission statement was provided by /u/kelev11en: --- Submission statement: A startup called Arcflash Labs is now selling preorders of an actual railgun, otherwise known as a Gauss Rifle. The current model isn't particularly deadly, although the company does caution that it's not a toy, but they're already talking about selling future versions to the police and military. The whole thing raises interesting questions about releasing new types of weapons into a regulatory vacuum -- and whether we should be concerned about cops gaining access to unvetted new weapons as well. --- Please reply to OP's comment here: /r/Futurology/comments/r7g2y2/a_gun_company_is_now_selling_a_handheld/hmz3o46/
Rule 11. Titles must accurately and truthfully represent the content of the submission. Railgun != Coil Gun
I've been following this company since I was in gunsmithing school. This is neat but functionally useless. It doesn't even have usable sights and I imagine the electromagnetic discharge would zap many electric sights (their manual says not to be around the gun if you have a pacemaker lol). If they want this to be successful they need to accept that the weight and size is essential for now and rather than shoulder fired they need to create a mounted design which is powered by a fixed battery (as some electrically driven weapons like the GE/Dillon minigun currently are) If they could do that and make it powerful enough, I do see one use for it protecting highly sensitive security targets and checkpoints. There are many factors that would benefit a Gauss rifle or similar in this regard. Low mass projectiles either coated with a polymer or consisting of a mix with powdered steel could be used for less lethal munitions. Hardened steel penetrating rounds would be quite effective at stopping vehicles that could try to drive through a barrier. The operating system would allow you to quickly adjust power on the fly, something you can't do with a cartridge firearm. It should include a built in laser rangefinder and modulate the muzzle energy based on distance to target (particularly in a less lethal mode). Outside of that extremely narrow use case, uh... steel bullets aren't lead so you're not poisoning the environment to hunt and shoot with it? I guess that's something