View source for SecurityMech Treaty of 2613

== Overview ==
The SecurityMech Treaty of [[2613]] was a piece of interstellar legislation passed by the [[Star League]], intended to limit the production of armed [[IndustrialMech]]s. The Treaty was effectively the codification and formalization in legislation of codes of practice that had been created as loose classifications by the [['Mech]] industry itself.<ref name="VArp227">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 227, "The SecurityMech Treaties"</ref>

== Terms And Conditions ==
Those 'Mechs constructed in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty are officially deemed SecurityMechs, suitable for use by police forces. The individual conditions of the Treaty have evolved as equipment evolved, but began with the following criteria.<ref name="VArp227"/>

To be legally deemed a SecurityMech, the following conditions must be met:

* A SecurityMech must be built with an IndustrialMech chassis<ref name="VArp227"/>
* A SecurityMech must have a maximum size of no more than 50 tons; within this restriction, only those SecurityMechs defined as Corporate SecurityMechs may have a weight of 40-50 tons, limiting other SecurityMechs to a maximum of 35 tons<ref name="VArp227"/>
* A SecurityMech should have no ranged weapons with an individual weight of more than 2 tons each, although there are a number of additional exceptions and allowances based on the type of weapons<ref name="VArp227"/>

The limitations on weapons has continued to evolve, in line with common perceptions of what constituted "humane" weaponry; energy-based [[Flamer]]s are unknown outside of warzones or the most tyrannical regimes, although [[Vehicle Flamer]]s as somewhat more common because of the availability of nonlethal payloads for them.<ref name="VArp227"/>

During the era of the [[Second Star League]] a number of additional weapons systems were officially added to the list of proscribed items under the terms of the Treaty; [[A-Pod]]s were banned in [[3059]], followed by [[M-Pod]]s and [[Rocket Launcher]]s in [[3064]]. The [[Republic of the Sphere]] sponsored a provision banning [[B-Pod]]s and [[Variable Speed Pulse Laser]]s from use on SecurityMechs in [[3082]].<ref name="VArp227"/>

In [[3067]], the Second Star League legalized the use of the [[BattleMech Taser]] on SecurityMechs, despite the weight of the Taser; the reasoning behind this amendment was that IndustrialMech use was on the rise, and it was felt to be a safe method for civilian police forces to apprehend those misusing IndustrialMechs.<ref name="VArp227"/>

=== Corporate SecurityMechs ===
A specific subclass of SecurityMech, Corporate SecurityMechs are those intended for use in the defense of industrial facilities critical to national defense. Corporate SecurityMechs are confined to the same list of restrictions in terms of weapons, with the exception that the maximum weight of individual ranged weapons is 9 tons, rather than 2 tons. While Corporate SecurityMechs are subject to the same restricted legalities as standard SecurityMechs in terms of their weaponry, corporations may deploy them without having to fulfill the additional parameters and obligations normally involved in deploying BattleMechs or mercenary commands.<ref name="VArp227"/>

== Implementation ==
In practice, there are a number of issues with the SecurityMech Treaties; one common issue is producers securing a Corporate SecurityMech designation for 'Mechs that would otherwise be defined as [[MilitiaMech]]s - the ''[[Arbiter]]'' is an example of this, and was clearly intended for marketing to militias.<ref name="VArp227"/>

The SecurityMech Treaties provide a framework for interstellar trade and best practices, but the observance of the treaty has always been dependent upon the rulers of the various nations and their willingness to reinforce peace. This means that the Treaties have suffered varying levels of abuse up to and including wanton abandonment.<ref name="VArp227"/>

Whilst not specifically required to under the terms of the Treaty, many SecurityMech users deliberately reduce the risk to life and property by using nonlethal ammunition, such as tear-gas rounds, smoke rounds, and rubber bullets. The flexibility available to Sprayers, vehicle flamers and [[Fluid Gun]]s in being able to use mixtures of water and foam to subdue crowds also allows them to perform firefighting functions, making them popular choices.<ref name="VArp227"/>

In addition to the limits on ranged weapons, physical weapons are largely unheard of on SecurityMechs, because of the lack of need for such specialized anti-armor weapons during the course of SecurityMech duties, although [[Retractable Blade]]s are seen on some SecurityMechs designed to serve as dual use 'Mechs with an agricultural role.<ref name="VArp227"/>

SecurityMechs are described in terms of light, medium, heavy and assault, as are BattleMechs; a Light SecurityMech is one which masses 10 to 15 tons, a Medium SecurityMech masses 20-25 tons, a Heavy SecurityMech masses 30-35 tons, and any SecurityMech massing 40-50 tons is considered an assault weight - and must be from the Corporate SecurityMech subclass.<ref name="VArp227"/>

==Notes==
There is also a law from the early days of BattleMech technology that sought to limit the proliferation of BattleMechs through IndustrialMech exports and defines a BattleMech as essentially any armed 'Mech. Despite being largely forgotten, it is technically effectual in the [[Draconis Combine]] as of [[3028]] and does qualify at least some if not all SecurityMechs as BattleMechs.<ref name=FvM>''Feather versus Mountain</ref> However, it is usually overridden by the [[DCMS]] Procurement Department's definition of a BattleMech which calls for a mass of at least twenty tons except under certain conditions.<ref name=FvM/>
== References ==
<references/>

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Feather versus Mountain]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised]]''

[[Category: Documents]]