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

Under the Geneva conventions, the “recommendations” for the application of kinetic projectiles (such as the Model 1325) discourage police from aiming at protesters’ faces, as they could result in “skull fractures and brain damage, eye damage (including permanent blindness) and even death.” The use of kinetic projectiles from an elevated area, such as at a protest, can increase the risk of protesters being shot in the head. Targeting the torso can cause damage to vital organs and result in body penetration, especially when fired at close range. The caliber and velocity of the projectile, as well as the material from which they are made, will also influence the seriousness of the injury.

In addition, the Geneva conventions specify the circumstances of possible illegal uses of these weapons and lay down the rules:

• Kinetic projectiles should not be fired in automatic mode.
• Firing multiple projectiles at the same time does not comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality.
• The impact of projectiles should be tested and authorized to ensure that they are accurate enough for a safe area without using excessive energy that could cause injury.
• Kinetic ammunition weapons should not be used to target the face, face or neck.

“Less Lethal”

The vast majority of countries keep confidential the specific name of the models they use to deter protests. Some governments, for example, register purchases under generic designations, such as “40 mm launchers,” without citing the make or model, making accountability and verification of the illegal use of these devices difficult.

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 show brands or models of the launcher or manufacturers.

Only countries, such as Canada, include the makes and models of their “nonlethal” weapons. Similar records do not exist in Mexico or Latin America.

The application of weapons such as the Penn Arms GL-1 or similar, as well as the Defense Technology 1325, is seen in social protests, often documented by Amnesty International, which accuses them of abusive use against peaceful civilians. And, while touted as “less lethal,” they can cause serious injuries and human rights violations. In addition, the organization, in its 2023 report “My Eye Exploded,” demands that the use of 40-mm gas or impact projectiles against peaceful civilians be suspended.

According to an assessment by Chile's National Human Rights Institute, police actions during the protests that began in October 2019 resulted in more than 440 eye injuries, with more than 30 cases of eye loss or eye rupture.

This story was originally published on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.