Less Lethal and Non-Lethal Weapons: A Quick Guide

Many law enforcement agencies around the country are prepared with less lethal weapons and non-lethal weapons that present an alternative to deadly force, and which can be especially useful in managing crowds of protestors and other similar circumstances.

This short post will break down the basics of what these weapons are and what sorts of non-lethal weapons and gear law enforcement personnel commonly use.

A non-lethal weapon is a weapon or device that is intended to temporarily incapacitate a target without resulting in death; moreover, they are designed (when used properly) to do so without causing permanent injuries. Non-lethal weapons, which use either chemical irritants, shock or impact, can deter or disable targets without causing permanent damage.

They are sometimes referred to as less lethal weapons because, when they are not used properly, or when impact is delivered to sensitive or vital areas, they can result in death or disability. This is one of the reasons that considerable training is required on behalf of law enforcement officers to use them effectively and responsibly.

There are a wide variety of non-lethal and less lethal weapons that are commonly used by military and law enforcement personnel. Among the most common of these are as follows.

Smoke and Vapor Grenades

Smoke grenades are intended to produce a smokescreen that encourages a crowd to disperse without the use of force. They also make it possible for LEOs and military personnel to move about unseen.

More common are tear gas canisters, also known as vapor grenades and sometimes referred to as “CS” grenades, which stands for chlorobenzylidene malononitrile. Some of these canisters are designed to release concentrations of the gas that are invisible.

Exposure to CS results in irritation to eyes, mouth, and upper respiratory system, and can result in coughing, gagging, and vomiting.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is an aerosolized form of the chemical irritant that is found in hot peppers, hence the name. It can be either naturally derived or synthetic, and can take the form of an aerosolized spray, gel or even powder.

Pepper spray irritates the eyes, mouth and lungs, and can produce symptoms similar to those of CS, although generally more severe. In fact, it is so concentrated that it causes a burning sensation on the skin as well.

Pepper Balls

Pepper balls are similar to pepper spray and vary primarily in the mode of delivery. Pepper balls are filled with either a gas or a powder and are designed to be fired from paintball guns (or other pneumatic platforms).

They explode when they hit the target, releasing the gas or powder, which acts as a chemical irritant in basically the same capacity as pepper spray. Because pepper balls can be delivered on targets more effectively at intermediate ranges than pepper spray, they can be more effective at incapacitating hostile targets at these ranges. However, pepper balls are not accurate at extended ranges so use must be considered accordingly.

Flash-Bang Grenades

Flash-bang grenades, which are sometimes referred to as stun grenades, explode a few seconds after being thrown. They emit a bright flash of light and an incapacitating loud bang, stunning, shocking, and temporarily blinding those in the vicinity.

Capable of delivering a brightness in excess of a million candlepower and emitting a blast louder than a jet engine, flash-bang grenades are disorienting and can temporarily stun those exposed to them into submission.

Bean Bag and Baton Rounds

Bean bag rounds are synthetic cloth rounds filled with shot or other softer particulate matter. High-quality ones do not have a minimum range or a range required to stabilize, and distribute the force of impact over a broader area, resulting in a lower chance of injury.

Baton rounds are made of wood and, since they are less dense than lead and copper, less likely to inflict dangerous injuries when used appropriately. Baton rounds are commonly “skip shot,” fired at hard surfaces like concrete so as to deflect off the surface, striking an intended target below the belt.

However, it should be noted that shots intentionally fired above the belt, at the neck, head or other vital areas, have an elevated risk of producing serious or even lethal injuries, counteracting the purpose of less-lethal and non-lethal use.

While this list of less lethal and non-lethal weapons is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive, it still serves as a good jumping off point for learning more about the types of less lethal and non lethal force used by military and law enforcement officers.

We carry many different types of non-lethal and less lethal weapons and other gear in our online catalog. If you have questions about specifics, use or pricing, contact our sales team directly.