The Dangerous Truth About the ‘Nonlethal’ Weapons Used Against LA Protesters

In the midst of a turbulent US domestic politics weekend, the National Guard and police arrested at least 56 demonstrators in Los Angeles, California. On Friday, 6th June, several groups took to Los Angeles’ streets to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have increased in intensity and numbers over the last few months. CBS News reported that ICE made more than 2,000 arrests a day on Tuesday and Wednesday in the first week of the month, a significant increase compared to an average of 660 during the first 100 days under Donald Trump’s second presidency.

Using the National Guard in a local situation such as The protests in Los Angeles sparked alarm from California Governor Gavin Newsom who accused the Trump Administration of “creating crisis”. Meanwhile, other civil societies groups condemned the state’s response against protesters. Amnesty International said that the deployment of National Guard troops by President Trump to Los Angeles as a response to protests over recent ICE raids was deeply alarming. “Armed soldiers have no place in the neighborhoods.” It’s not about protecting communities but rather about suppressing dissent. Both bodies were equipped to disperse protests with “nonlethal weapons”. These devices include the PGL65 (or P540), or the 37mm and 40mm Sage Deuce Projectile Launcher. These are “less lethal”ammunition launchers in the arsenal of law enforcement agencies. Weapons like those mentioned above can launch tear gas with a maximum distance of 500 feet. They can also fire kinetic grenades, “less-lethal” fragmentation (rubber balls which scatter when the munition explodes), shock grenades and paint marker grenades. Media outlets such as CNNreports that police in Los Angeles used tear gas and stun guns to disperse protesters.

Weapons Banned in Other Countries

Canada has banned the use of “nonlethal” weapons for controlling demonstrations. The Firearms Regulations of Canada (SOR/2020-96, SOR/98-462) includes the PGL-65 and Sage Deuce as well as other equivalent models in the category of prohibited weapons. The statute prohibits the use “of any firearm with a (bore diameter) of 20 mm or greater” (except for those designed exclusively to neutralize explosion devices).

Los Angeles police also use another “less-lethal” projectile gun against protesters. WIRED was able verify that the weapon is the Defense Technology 40mm single-shot launcher (model 1325) or similar, which in this instance is painted green to differentiate its “anti-riot application”. The Australian site 9News has a video showing how one of the police officers uses this weapon. Shota journalist from Australia with what was reported to be a rubber bullet. Other images of this weapon were captured by the media and citizens during the protests.

The Geneva Conventions discourage police from aiming for protesters’ faces as this could lead to “skull and brain fractures, eye damage including permanent blindness, and even death.” The torso is a vulnerable area that can be hit by a projectile, causing damage to vital organs or even a penetration of the body. This is especially true when fired from close range. The severity of an injury will also depend on the caliber and velocity, as well as material used to make the projectile.

The Geneva Conventions also specify the circumstances in which these weapons could be used illegally and lay out the rules.

• It is not allowed to fire kinetic projectiles on automatic mode.
• The principle of proportionality and necessity is not met when multiple projectiles are fired at the same time.
• Projectiles should be authorized and tested to ensure they are accurate for a safe zone without using excessive energy which could cause injury.
• Kinetic weapons should not be used on the face, neck or face.

‘Less Lethal’

The majority of countries do not reveal the exact name of the models that they use to disperse protests. Some governments register purchases using generic names, such as “40mm launchers,” and do not specify the model or make. This makes it difficult to verify the illegal use of these devices.

For example, in Mexico, the Secretariat of National Defense launched tender LA-007000999-E818-2022 in November 2022 for the purchase of 70,000 long- and short-range 40-mm caliber gas projectiles, along with smoke ammunition and liquid marking, according to El Universal . The specifications do NOT list the brand or model of the launcher, or manufacturer.

Only certain countries, like Canada, list the make and model of their “nonlethal weapons”. Mexico and Latin America do not have similar records. Amnesty International accuses the use of weapons like the Penn Arms GL-1 and similar weapons, as well the Defense Technology 1325 in social protests. While they are marketed as “less lethal”they can cause serious injuries, and even human rights violations. The organization’s 2023 report, “My Eye Exploded (19459040)”also demands that the use 40-mm gas projectiles or impact projectiles on peaceful civilians is suspended. According to the National Human Rights Institute of Chile, police actions during protests that began October 2019 resulted more than 440 eye wounds, including 30 cases of eye rupture or loss. This story was originally published in Spanish on WIRED en espanol. It has been translated.