Less lethal weapons 

Recent years have seen increased development of less lethal weapons for purposes of domestic policing and security as well as for combat.  Sometimes called ‘non-lethal,’ in principle these weapons are designed to incapacitate the target rather than to kill.  However, in practice such a distinction will depend not only on the technology of the weapon but also on when and how it is used, and who it is used against.

These weapons pose particular challenges because the ‘positive’ rhetoric of manufacturers and users can mask serious moral, political or legal concerns regarding proliferation or use.

Although brought together as a category, less-lethal weapons can come in many forms – including:

• Projectiles such as ‘rubber bullets’
• Chemicals such as tear gas
• Radiation weapons such as microwave beams
• Electroshock weapons such as ‘tasers.’
• Biological agents such as Fentanyl
• Dazzling lasers
• Acoustic weapons

Landmine Action is working with partner organisations to improve understanding, monitoring and control over such technologies at national and international levels.