Handheld energy weapons

[stevebowers]

If you have a weapon that fires ionising radiation, it will just make the target sick - and possibly kill them in the long run - but it might not incapacitate the target immediately. Most radiation weapons are inadequate when used in fire fights. There isn't a weapon that would paralyse a human without the risk of lasting damage or even death.

Even nerve gas jets or tranquiliser darts would have a reasonable chance of killing the target - unless the gun, or the gun-user, is smart enough to act as a competent anaesthetist, there is always a risk of overdose or other trauma.