China Rolls Out Electromagnetic Weapon to Quell Violent Protests

China demonstrated an electromagnetic gun that fires projectiles shaped like coins، a weapon state media said could be used to break up violent public disturbances.

The CS/LW21 gun was featured in a military technology show broadcast by state-run China Central Television last month. The South China Morning Post reported on the development earlier.

Manufactured by China North Industries Group Corp.، the weapon is intended to reduce the chances that people are killed when riots are quelled، much like when authorities use guns firing rubber bullets.

Similar weapons have been made in other countries before. The device is based on coilgun technology، which uses electromagnets to launch a projectile. China has reportedly tested similar tech to fire a projectile from a warship.

Electromagnetic weapons allow the user to set the intensity and frequency that the gun fires، which can reduce the danger they pose to people. Still، the devices have the potential to cause serious injury. The video on Chinese state media showed the coin projectiles shredding thin plywood.

China experienced its most widespread protests in decades in late 2022 as people became fed up with harsh rules such as snap lockdowns to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Those demonstrations were largely peaceful.