“We live in an era in which mass violence is becoming more and more common”
Its city council San Francisco refrained from adopting a proposal that would have seen the city’s law enforcement use robots capable of killing, but did not completely reject the idea, which would best be considered by a committee.
These “killer robots“, which would be used in some extreme situations, such as acts of terrorism or mass shootings, have sparked intense controversy in the city council of the American city, which appeared to be favorably disposed towards their use last week.
“Last week, despite my moral inhibitions, I supported the legislation, but within this week I’ve stopped feeling good about it. I don’t believe that armed and remote-controlled robots are going to make us safer,” San Francisco City Councilman Gordon Marr said yesterday, Tuesday.
Eventually the city council backtracked, passing legislation allowing San Francisco police to acquire military equipment, but not the robots.
This proposal will be examined by a committee and will be submitted to a new vote.
Many opponents of the proposal criticized the measure, fearing it would increase police brutality. During the city council meeting many protesters entered the hall holding banners.
Earlier yesterday, dozens of people protested in front of San Francisco City Hall, holding signs that read “don’t give the police new guns” or “killer robots are not the answer».
“The use of robots in potentially lethal situations is a last resort,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a statement in early December.
“We live in an age in which mass violence is becoming more and more common“, he had added. “We need this option to save lives when such tragedies occur in our city,” he noted.
San Francisco police already have several robots that they can control remotely and are used when officers need to keep their distance until a location is safe, such as during a bomb alert.
The new measure would allow robots to be used to plant “explosive material” capable of “subdue or distract an armed, violent or dangerous suspect who threatens to take lives“, the police had announced.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
