Dangerous truth about “non-lethal” weapons targeting protesters in Los Angeles

Under the Geneva Convention, “recommendations” of applying kinetic projectiles (e.g., type 1325) prevented police from targeting protesters’ faces because they could cause “skull fractures and brain damage, eye damage, including permanent blindness) and even death.” Using kinetic projectiles from elevated areas (e.g., protests) can increase the risk of protesters being shot. Targeting the trunk can damage vital organs and cause body penetration, especially when launched at close range. The diameter and speed of the projectile and the materials manufactured will also affect the severity of the injury.

In addition, the Geneva Convention also provides for the possible illegal use of these weapons and establishes rules:

• The dynamic projectile should not be fired in automatic mode.
• The launch of multiple projectiles simultaneously does not meet the principles of necessity and proportionality.
• The impact of the projectiles should be tested and authorized to ensure they are accurate enough without the need to use too much energy to cause damage.
• Powered ammunition weapons are not used to aim at the face, neck or neck.

“Less fatal”

The vast majority of countries keep the specific name of the model it uses to block protests confidential. For example, some governments register to purchase under a common name (such as “40mm transmitter”) without citing a brand or model, making liability and verification of the illegal use of these devices difficult.

For example, in Mexico, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense launched the tender in November 2022 LA-007000999-E818-2022 to purchase 70,000 long and short distances of 40mm caliber gas projectiles, as well as smoke ammunition and liquid markings. These specifications do not show the transmitter or manufacturer’s make or model.

Only countries such as Canada include brands and models of their “non-lethal” weapons. There is no similar record in Mexico or Latin America.

In social protests, the use of weapons such as Penn Arms GL-1 or similar weapons as well as defense technology is seen in social protests, which are often documented by Armnesty International in social protests, accusing them of abuse of use of peaceful civilians. And, while touted as “not too deadly,” they can cause serious harm and human rights violations. In addition, the organization requested the use of 40mm of natural gas or projectiles for peaceful civilians in its 2023 report, My Eye Explosion.

Police operations during protests that began in October 2019 resulted in more than 440 injuries, more than 30 of them had eye loss or eye rupture, according to an assessment by the National Institute of Human Rights in Chile.

The story was originally published in Wired Enespañol and has been translated from Spanish.