Law Enforcement: Plugging Rioters

Over the Fourth of July weekend, several hundred street people in Berkeley marched up Telegraph Avenue after a rally, breaking windows, smashing parking meters, looting a jewelry store and nearly overturning a new Buick from a dealer's lot. They were in for a surprise. Only 14 cops showed up to deal with the mob, armed with something new: large-bore guns that fire five wooden plugs from a single cartridge. The plugs spread out and tumble in flight.

Each one is about the size of a short section cut from a fat broomstick handle. Normally used at a range of 50...

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