Weapons that are banned from war use

As horridly gruesome as you think they are, wars are still guided by certain rules, laws, and conventions. These regulations are put in place in order to promote the protection of human (civilian) life and properties. Any breach of these laws would be considered as a war crime. With many of these treaties comes the ban of certain kinds of weapons. These weapons are either considered inhumane or illegal for use in exposed areas.

Here are some of them:

• Cluster munitions

Think of it as a single bomb that is made out of multiple smaller bombs and you’d get the picture. Cluster munitions are weapons with a lot more weapons inside of them. These weapons are usually bombs, rockets, or artillery shells filled with bomblets. When used, they are highly effective as it can allow a single bomb drop to disperse hundreds of what are essentially grenades. Each one releases shrapnel and shreds light vehicles, aircraft, and personnel.

However, the problems lies in the fact that many of those grenades fail to detonate when dropped. This means that dozens or even hundreds of pieces of unexploded ordnance can be left behind. This is considered very unsafe as they have been unfortunate cases of civilians stumbling across them.

This is why most countries banned them by ratifying the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.

·      Shotguns

I know, it sounds crazy, right? But during the World War I, Germany argued that shotguns were an illegal weapon. I know you have a shotgun. Don’t panic; you’re not a war criminal.

Except from Germany, everyone else in the world at that time agreed that it wasn’t. Moreover, Germany had rolled out chemical weapons during the same war. So, their argument was flawed. Although America continued using the weapon, it still remains under watch. Even if you use a plate carrier, shotguns are still quite a reason for concern.

·      Pepper spray and chemical gasses

Yeah, this one is actually illegal. Like, right now, it’s illegal to take pepper spray into combat and use it. Of course, they are a lot of people with pepper spray. Even the military and police can use it on their own citizens. But under Article I.5 of the Chemical Weapons Convention, pepper spray is illegal along with other forms of chemical gasses.

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