why don't the military put poison on the bullets?

Question

why don't the soldiers put poison on their bullets in war (to fire at the taliban), so even if the bullets don't kill the victim, they would be dead later by the poison.
don't take me so serious, i'm just wondering :)

Answer 1

If you Kill a soldier it takes him out of the war. If you Wound a soldier it takes many out of the war!

Answer 2

It is against The Rules of War or LOAC. Military planners ensure military personnel do not use weapons or weapons systems that violate international law. Illegal arms for combat include poison weapons and expanding hollow point bullets in armed conflict. Even lawful weapons may require some restrictions on their use in particular circumstances to increase compliance with the LOAC.

Military members who violate the LOAC are subject to criminal prosecution and punishment. Criminal prosecutions may take place in a national or international forum. In theory, US Armed Forces could be prosecuted by courts-martial under the UCMJ or through an international military tribunal.

Answer 3

My guess would be for a couple of reasons. One, that would increase production cost, especially since you would be dealing with a potentially lethal substance. Two, handling such round when loading or reloading on the battle field where cuts and scrapes are common there would be a potential for poisoning your own men. Three, similar to Two, if there were a ricochet it could kill a no threat, like a civilian even with a glancing blow of the round and those are just off the top of my head to add to the above answers.

Answer 4

1) increase production cost
2) the bullets may also have a negative effect on the soldiers using the modified bullets
3) the purpose is to neutralize the enemy, not necessarily kill them. If the enemy remains alive, he/she is supposed to be detained. The point of war is to survive with the least amount of casualties on both sides.

4) also against geneva convention

Answer 5

Some actually do......uranium tipped bullets poison. Lets remember, lead is a poison as well. It would be difficult to put an instantly deadly poison on bullets...think of accidents and mishandling...

Answer 6

What happens if friendly fire happens? It happens more then we know.What if a soldier got glazed or shot in the leg by accident ? then he gets poisoned as well.From what I've read and heard in afghanistan the terrain and communications could make friendly fire happen quick if just one little piece of information that friendlys are present isn't given to someone and they don't recognize them but see weapons they will probably shoot eh?.

Answer 7

LOAC (Law of Armed Conflict).

We cannot modify bullets to inflict more harm (EX: dum dum rounds).

Some other things that fall under this law is shooting at aircrew that are on decent after ejection (distressed personnel, not paratroopers) and misusing the Red Cross emblem (putting it on combat vehicles).

Answer 8

undue suffering, however, i am not opposed to covering the bullets in pig juice to fire at the taliban and al qaeda. It would probably piss them off right good.

Answer 9

He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.


-Albert Einstein

Answer 10

Against the geneva convention