Abstract

This essay addresses the issues around the less than lethal options and the application of less than lethal weapons. Critics have arisen over the use of less than lethal weapons by law enforcement. The critics question the necessity of the weapons, their effectiveness or dangers, and their impacts. The application of the weapons has seen to the quelling of many riots and arresting of criminals as well as other negative results. Some weapons such as Chemical Mace, rubber bullets, tear gas, stun guns, and pepper sprays have led to many deaths and even more injuries. This article gives a deeper insight into the advantage, disadvantages and some examples of less than lethal weapons. Less than lethal options and future expectations in less than lethal weapon technology are also discussed. Conclusively, concerns in the inappropriate use of the weapons and the force policies to govern their use are addressed.

Less than Lethal Options

Devices, tactics, and weapons that have been advanced and used to minimize the need to resort to conventional firearms are known as less than lethal options. The examples include less than lethal weapons, restriction of movement by putting barriers, and negotiation (Stinson, Reyns, & Liederbach, 2012; Le & Moua, 2016). The less than lethal weapons include stun guns, tear gas pepper spray among others. They are used to induce stings, temporary pain, and irritation to disperse riots and make arrests easier. The law enforcement officers may opt to put barriers on the roads using equipment’s like iron caltrops to impede movement of criminals or suspects. The officials may also apply negotiation when dealing with criminals for them to surrender instead of employing force.

Less than lethal technology under development

More advanced and efficient less than lethal technologies are expected to appear in the near future. A good example is the pepper ball VKS launcher that is currently under advancement and is to be produced in 2021. The launchers are guns that are modeled on the M4 carbine and contain supercharged paintballs. They possess a higher muzzle velocity but fire 68 ammunition, similar to other paintball weapons. The launcher usually fires that are filled with irritant powder which is derived from chili. On impact, the paintballs release a cloud that stings and causes burning of the eyes, mouth, and nose. However, the restrictions of the chemical weapons are making the production of the weapon to steer away from agents that cause irritation and inert rounds made up of non-irritant powder are opted for. The inert sting is more severe when compared to the paintball. Testing exercises are still being carried out on the weapon to identify and make amends on any possible faults before application (Kjellman, 2016).

Advantages of using less than lethal weapons

Application of less than deadly weapons has several advantages. To begin with, the weapons have made it easier to control riots and arrest suspects or criminals. Through the use of weapons such as tear gas, the police are able to disperse with minimal casualties effectively. Less than lethal weapons such as stun guns help in inducing temporary pain to criminals which makes the arrest process fast and easy. Web shots also perform a similar function by engulfing the criminal or suspect in a Kevlar net leaving them in the power of the police. Another advantage is that using weapons ensures that there are minimal casualties in the process of law enforcement. Unlike regular guns and other firearms, less than lethal weapons only induce temporary pain, sting, and irritation (Kjellman, 2016).

Disadvantages of using less than lethal weapons

Over the years, several problems have been observed from the use of the less than deadly weapons by law enforcement. Firstly, many deaths have been recorded as a result of less than lethal weapons. The use of Chemical Mace and tear gas which induce stings and irritation to eyes, lungs, and skin has led to the death of many people especially those with respiratory diseases (Stinson, Reyns, & Liederbach, 2012). Another disadvantage is that some less than lethal weapons have brought about severe injuries to the affected people. Weapons such as rubber bullets have high kinetic energy that may hit people with excessive force thus causing severe injuries.

Concerns about the inappropriate use of less than lethal weapons

The law enforcement has been reported to be regularly misusing the less than deadly weapons. In their hands, the weapons which ought to be non-lethal have turned fatal. In areas such as the police force and prisons, the officials have a wide array of weapons at their disposal which they end up using inappropriately. The most in appropriation can be noted in torture situations. The officers use less than lethal equipment or devices with so much insensitivity that most suspects or criminals die or suffer irreversible injuries. The officers do not follow any international human rights standards in using the weapons.

Suggested force policies

Due to the advantages and concerns that arise from the use of less than lethal weapons, guidelines need to be put in place. Firstly, law enforcement officials should only use weapons that relevant state authorities have allowed. Also, conditions on the application of the weapons should be specified by the domestic law. Secondly, the official’s should only act after proper planning and after taking precautionary measures to minimize the risk of applying force. Additionally, the weapons ought to be used when strictly necessary (Kjellman, 2016; Le & Moua, 2016).

References

Kjellman, T. R. (2016). Less Lethal Weapons: An Effectiveness Analysis. Virginia: Liberty University.

Le, L., & Moua, M. (2016). Civilian Oversight and Developments in Less. Seattle Journal for Social Justice, 14(1), 101-143.

Stinson, P., Reyns, B., & Liederbach, J. (2012). Police Crime & Less-than-Lethal Coercive Force: A Description of the Criminal Misuse of TASERs. Ohio: Bowling Green State University.

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