Buzz
In recent weeks, we've witnessed numerous incidents where 'less lethal' police weapons—such as rubber bullets, bean bag rounds, and sponge grenades—have been deployed against protesters. Despite their seemingly harmless names, these weapons, while less deadly than regular firearms, can still cause severe injuries, permanent disfigurement, or even fatalities. Given the frequency with which they've been used recently, especially as debates over police reform intensify, it's crucial to understand the nature of these weapons and the potential harm they can inflict.
Rubber Bullet
A rubber bullet is a projectile made of rubber or rubber-coated material, typically fired from either a conventional firearm or a specialized riot gun. While they are less deadly than traditional ammunition, rubber bullets can still cause significant harm, including fractures, nerve damage, tendon injury, and damage to internal organs. Impact to sensitive areas like the eye, spine, or skull can be particularly dangerous, leading to permanent disability or death.
According to guidelines for rubber bullet use, these projectiles should be aimed only at the lower body of an individual posing a substantial risk of harm to law enforcement officers or the public. They should never be targeted at the head or torso. Additionally, officers are cautioned against firing at the ground, as this can cause the rubber bullets to ricochet and pose a greater danger.
There is no requirement for police to document their use of rubber bullets, nor are there any nationwide standards for their deployment. This lack of regulation leaves us in the dark about the number of injuries caused by rubber bullets annually.
Beanbag Round
A beanbag round is a small fabric pouch filled with lead pellets, designed to be shot from a standard 12-gauge shotgun. These rounds are intended to strike a person’s legs or chest, but should never be aimed at the neck or head due to the risk of serious injury.
Being struck by a beanbag round is excruciating, and it can lead to severe injuries. Recently, two protesters from the Austin area, Brad Levi Ayala and Justin Howell, were both struck by beanbag rounds fired by the Austin police. Both men were hospitalized, with Ayala undergoing neurological tests and Howell listed in critical condition.
While police are instructed to target the lower extremities to avoid hitting sensitive areas like the neck, face, skull, or spine, the accuracy of these rounds is limited, particularly when fired from distances exceeding six meters.
Sponge Grenade
A sponge grenade is a bullet-shaped projectile with a foam rubber tip and a high-density plastic body, typically fired from a grenade launcher. The foam nose helps distribute the impact over a larger area, which is why it's commonly used as a less-lethal projectile. However, sponge grenades can still inflict severe injuries or even cause death, especially if they strike protesters at close range or in vulnerable areas like the face, skull, spine, or neck. As with other less-lethal projectiles, police are advised against targeting the face or neck directly.
Photojournalist Linda Tirado was reportedly blinded after being struck in the eye by what she identified as a rubber bullet while covering a protest. However, a Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson stated that they only used “40 mm foam marking rounds” during the demonstration. While the specific type of round is unclear, it’s likely Tirado was hit with a sponge grenade. Regardless of the exact weapon used, the result was the same: Tirado suffered permanent blindness in the affected eye.
The ongoing use of less-lethal weapons against protesters, coupled with the resulting injuries, is deeply concerning. It also raises questions about compliance with international law, as the United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement recommends using rubber bullets only when facing an “imminent threat,” and exclusively targeting the lower extremities. As more images of police violently confronting peaceful protesters flood social media, it’s evident that these guidelines are being ignored.
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