Catapult ownership

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06 May 2011, 11:25 pm

Okay, so everyone's heard all the various arguments regarding firearms, but what about other ranged weapons which can be just as lethal? Dead is dead, yes? Catapults come in a variety of types: crossbow type ballistae which could launch a spear through almost a rank of armored infantry, trebuchets which could gradually destroy a castle wall or hurl incendiary projectiles upon the besieged, onagers which could shower rocks down upon an entire century of soldiers, and scorpions - including repeating scorpions - which could launch normal arrows at higher velocities than a normal bow. These ancient and medieval weapons are just as lethal now as they were then, so what would be your opinion as to the ownership of such devices?

JakobVirgil
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06 May 2011, 11:28 pm

I am for it

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LKL
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06 May 2011, 11:34 pm

While we're at it, what about heat-seeking SAMs?

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06 May 2011, 11:43 pm

LKL wrote:

While we're at it, what about heat-seeking SAMs?

With nuclear warheads.

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06 May 2011, 11:47 pm

or privately owned spy satellites, armed with long-distance lazers.

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06 May 2011, 11:52 pm

LKL wrote:

or privately owned spy satellites, armed with long-distance lazers.

Actually, I would like the ability to privately own spacecraft, as per the scenario of Firefly. Also, the acronym is L.A.S.E.R. not lazer.

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06 May 2011, 11:55 pm

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

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iamnotaparakeet
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07 May 2011, 12:07 am

Vigilans wrote:

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

I would hope that that would either be, somehow, built to have the range of a Paris gun or that the projectiles would be rather low yield. Otherwise, that's simply a recipe for self annihilation.

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07 May 2011, 12:08 am

Vigilans wrote:

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

nuclear propelled or with a nuclear warhead?
one is way smarter than the other.

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07 May 2011, 12:12 am

JakobVirgil wrote:

Vigilans wrote:

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

nuclear propelled or with a nuclear warhead?
one is way smarter than the other.

You want to explain what exactly a "nuclear propelled trebuchet" would be? Lifting the counterweight with an electromagnetic motor powered by a nuclear power plant?

Why is it that people aren't really caring to be serious about this discussion? Well, at least it's better than some people being way too overly serious. I guess.

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07 May 2011, 12:15 am

LKL wrote:

While we're at it, what about heat-seeking SAMs?

SAMs have far more than 4oz of propellant per engine, so they are already regulated.

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07 May 2011, 12:24 am

iamnotaparakeet wrote:

JakobVirgil wrote:

Vigilans wrote:

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

nuclear propelled or with a nuclear warhead?
one is way smarter than the other.

its better than throwing a warhead a quarter mile away. :wink:

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iamnotaparakeet
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07 May 2011, 12:43 am

Swords.

JakobVirgil
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07 May 2011, 12:46 am

iamnotaparakeet wrote:

Swords.

S Words

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07 May 2011, 1:02 am

iamnotaparakeet wrote:

Vigilans wrote:

I would like to build a nuclear trebuchet

I would hope that that would either be, somehow, built to have the range of a Paris gun or that the projectiles would be rather low yield. Otherwise, that's simply a recipe for self annihilation.

The US army once fielded a weapon called the "Davey Crockett" that was essentially a man portable nuclear recoilless rifle with a blast radius greater than it's maximum range. It took 6 hours to fire, because first a suitably deep trench had to be dug for the crew to shelter in from the blast. It never really took off as a weapon concept.

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07 May 2011, 1:09 am

Are there states where it is NOT illegal to carry concealed Greek fire?

Did you hear the one about the woman - I THINK it was in New York - who got into trouble for concealed weapons when she removed a hatpin from her head and jabbed an attacker?

Serve and protect.

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