If the Senate ratifies the CWC, moreover, the administration has announced that it intends to interpret the treaty so broadly as to deny American troops the use of humane, nonlethal weapons like tear gas -- which are likely to come in handy in places like Haiti.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A Noxious Arms Control Treaty

Similarly, State Department lawyers have unilaterally determined that the utilization of riot control agents - non-lethal substances such as tear gas - by the U.S. military would violate the 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Waging lawfare

Authorities say he booby-trapped his apartment with explosives, then traveled to the movie theater armed with four weapons, tear gas and body armor planning to kill audience members.

CNN: Judge agrees to delay plea for theater shooting suspect