Non-Lethal vs. Less-Than-Lethal
ZARC sees a clear difference between
less-than-lethal and non-lethal weapons. Less-Than-Lethal Weapons are
designed to minimize fatalities. There are various less-than-lethal weapons available. Projectiles such as rubber
bullets, bean bags, sticky
foam are categorized as less than lethal due to their high potential for serious
injury and death. For example actual instances of fatalities caused by bean bags have been
reported in Canada.
Non-Lethal-Weapons however, must be designed to incapacitate
the subject, and properly used, should result in no injuries, fatalities or after effects.
Non-Lethal Weapons are useful in the following situations:
- close proximity encounters, such as breaking up a bar fight or intervening in a domestic
disturbance;
- to stop fleeing suspects;
- hostage/terrorist situations;
- barricade situations, where the subject is violent, but has not taken a hostage; and
- crowd control or riot situations.
