Here There and Everywhere

Expat wanderer

Stunning Cruelty

We’ve already seen the results of putting poorly disciplined, poorly self-restrained, poorly trained, poorly vetted young men in a pseudo-police position to work with immigration. Homeland Security used to be filled with normal bureaucratic professionals, people with a mission to control immigration who had the skills and maturity to do their jobs without resorting to violence when faced with a challenging situation. We call that professionalism.

You put excitable, poorly trained young men in a position of control, and it brings out their worst instincts. It becomes a We vs. Them situation. There is no insight, no compassion, no priority on de-escalation.

So what could possibly go wrong if you issue this volatile work force the new stun gloves to deal with their mission? These gloves inflict pain, and can be very dangerous to children, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations. Do we trust these excitable agents will have the presence of mind to remove their gloves when faced with children, the elderly, pregnant women, etc.?

This is how the glove gets its name and a compilation of what they do and how things could go very wrong:

The device’s name stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. Manufactured by the Kentucky-based company Compliant Technologies, it operates as a “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device” (this is the AI generated description on Google)

What is the G.L.O.V.E.?

The device’s name stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. Manufactured by the Kentucky-based company Compliant Technologies, it operates as a “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device”. [1, 2, 3]

  • Mechanism: Activated by a small button on the wrist, the gloves deliver an electric shock when they make direct contact with bare skin. They are ineffective through heavy clothing or hair. [1, 2]
  • Comparison to Tasers: Unlike a conventional Taser, the gloves do not fire prongs to break the skin or cause full neuromuscular incapacitation. Instead, they inflict localized, intense pain that subsides as soon as the glove is removed. [1, 2]
  • Voltage: The G.L.O.V.E. generates roughly 324 to 362 volts, compared to a Taser which can reach up to 50,000 open-circuit volts. [1]

The Defense and Push for Deployment

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted paperwork for a no-bid contract to purchase thousands of these devices. White House border czar Tom Homan defended the plan, stating that the gloves provide a non-lethal alternative—similar to pepper spray or Tasers—to end confrontations safely without escalating to deadly force. [1, 2, 3, 4]

According to an agency contracting notice, DHS may begin distributing the gloves to field officers as early as March 2027, following the development of training and use policies. [1]

Criticism and Backlash

The plan has drawn immediate outrage from civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Law Center. [1]

  • Lack of Accountability: Critics point out that because the shock can be delivered imperceptibly with a simple touch, the tool is highly vulnerable to undocumented abuse and hidden use of force. [1]
  • Safety Concerns: Though marketed as non-lethal, 404 Media uncovered a manufacturer’s user manual noting that the gloves could potentially contribute to “sudden death” under certain conditions. The guidelines explicitly warn against using the device on high-risk populations, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, or disabled individuals. [1, 2]

This is a weapon created to deal with a situation CREATED by this administration. We are a nation of immigrants. You don’t need shock gloves to deal with us.

Mr. Homan, give your agents professional training. Teach them self-control, help them not to panic when they face demonstrators. Give them de-escalation techniques. Help your ICE agents deal compassionately with the population, and give them tools for self-restraint and crowd control. Stun gloves and guns are overkill, cruel, and often fatal. Do you want your agents to deal with the lifelong regrets of their impulsive behaviors?

August 15, 2026 Posted by | Bureaucracy, Character, Civility, Community, Law and Order, Leadership, Relationships | , , , | Leave a comment