Less-lethal munitions as extended-range impact weapons

Ken Hubbs

doi:10.1117/12.265418

29 January 1997 Less-lethal munitions as extended-range impact weapons

Ken Hubbs

Proceedings Volume 2934, Security Systems and Nonlethal Technologies for Law Enforcement; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.265418
Event: Enabling Technologies for Law Enforcement and Security, 1996, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

With the proliferation of 'suicide by cop' incidents, the concept of less lethal (LL) impact munitions has definitely caught on. There is much to be said for sterile laboratory testing and wound ballistic studies, but having 'real world' operational data is invaluable. Two years ago, a data base was set up to collect this information. The data base continues to grow with incidents from a cross the country and others pursued internationally. Indications are that LL munitions deliver a similar amount of force as conventional police impact weapons i.e., police batons, PR-24's, nunchakus, etc. One advantage over conventional impact weapons, is that LL munitions can be used at much greater distances from a suspect or crown of rioters. This gave rise to the term: extended range impact weapons. Having the ability to examine numerous cases in which these LL munitions have been successfully used for the resolution of critical incidents, is beneficial in evaluating the application and defending the usage of these force options. This paper examines 187 less lethal shootings and discusses such things as: the distance the munitions were fired, the types of injuries sustained by the targeted suspect, the body area of impact, what, if any weapons the suspect was armed with, and the type of incident requiring police response.

Citation Download Citation

Ken Hubbs "Less-lethal munitions as extended-range impact weapons", Proc. SPIE 2934, Security Systems and Nonlethal Technologies for Law Enforcement, (29 January 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.265418

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