Weapon for lethal and non-lethal uses

Abstract

A weapon that provides lethal force or non-lethal force at the discretion of the operator of the weapon includes a non-lethal implement attached by a support to the apparatus for lethal force. The support attaches to a picatinny rail and to a stop of the apparatus, such as a sight mounted on the barrel of the apparatus for lethal force.

1 . A weapon for use by an operator, the weapon comprising: 
 apparatus that provides lethal force, non-lethal force, and illumination;    a first trigger operable with a first hand of the operator for releasing the lethal force; and    a switch and a second trigger, the switch operable with a second hand of the operator when the second hand is in a position to operate the second trigger, the second trigger for releasing the non-lethal force; wherein    the illumination is controlled in response to operation of the switch.    
   
   
       2 . The weapon of  claim 1  wherein the illumination is for aiming the non-lethal force.  
   
   
       3 . The weapon of  claim 1  wherein the non-lethal force comprises electromuscular stimulation.  
   
   
       4 . A weapon comprising: 
 apparatus that provides lethal force and non-lethal force;    a circuit comprising a switch and a source of illumination, wherein: 
 (1) the circuit controls illumination from the source for aiming the non-lethal force; and  
 (2) the circuit controls release of the non-lethal force in response to operation of the switch.  
   
   
   
       5 . The weapon of  claim 1  wherein the non-lethal force comprises electromuscular stimulation.  
   
   
       6 . A support for attaching an implement to a firearm, the firearm having a rail and a stop, the support comprising: 
 means for mechanically coupling the implement to the rail; and    means for coupling the implement to the stop to reduce motion of the implement along the rail parallel to a direction of delivery of the lethal force.    
   
   
       7 . The support of  claim 6  wherein the rail conforms to a picatinny rail.  
   
   
       8 . The support of  claim 6  wherein the stop comprises a sight.  
   
   
       9 . A support for attaching a non-lethal implement to a firearm, the firearm having a rail and a stop, the support comprising: 
 a first channel that receives the rail to mechanically couple the non-lethal implement and the rail;    a first abutment surface that abuts the stop;    a first fastener that maintains the first abutment surface against the stop;    a second channel that receives the non-lethal implement; and    a second fastener that retains the non-lethal implement in the second channel.    
   
   
       10 . The weapon of  claim 9  wherein the implement delivers a non-lethal force comprising electromuscular stimulation.  
   
   
       11 . The support of  claim 9  wherein the rail conforms to a picatinny rail.  
   
   
       12 . The support of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the first fastener and the second fastener is manually releasable without a tool.  
   
   
       13 . The support of  claim 12  wherein the at least one fastener is released by manually accomplishing a rotary motion of a portion of the fastener to an extent less than 720 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The support of  claim 9  wherein the implement delivers non-lethal force from the front of the implement and the second channel comprises a second abutment surface that faces a rear surface of the implement.  
   
   
       15 . The support of  claim 9  wherein: 
 the support comprises a first portion and a second portion; and    the first fastener mechanically joins the first portion of the support to the second portion of the support.    
   
   
       16 . The support of  claim 9  wherein: 
 the support comprises a first portion and a second portion; and    the second fastener mechanically joins the first portion of the support to the second portion of the support.    
   
   
       17 . The support of  claim 9  wherein: 
 the support comprises a first portion retained to the rail and a second portion retained to the implement; and    the support further comprises means for separating the first portion from the second portion without operation of the first fastener or the second fastener.