Used by law enforcement, corrections officials and the Israeli Defense Forces, less lethal defense systems are now coming to a home near you.
Manufactured and assembled in Gilroy by Defense Innovation, these projectile launchers look realistic and pack a serious punch.
“The purpose of a less lethal launcher or taser is to temporarily incapacitate a subject,” said account specialist Jonathan Worrell, during a recent weapon demonstration at the company’s headquarters at Arroyo Circle, behind the semi truck marked Real Action Paintball.
Locally known for their paintball gear and accessories, Real Action Paintball has branched out in the last couple of months as Defense Innovation and launched a range of less lethal units, modeled after popular assault weapons like the AR-15 and AK-47. They also carry a Glock-looking semi-automatic pistol.
The units have already proven a hit with U.S. law enforcement, who are under increasing scrutiny over the use of excessive force while facing almost daily mass protests, as well as military units in the Middle East who deploy the projectiles during riots or periods of civil unrest.
“Middle Eastern customers in Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia want the realism,” said Worrell, whose work travels have increased recently to meet the demand. “They want something to visually stop people before they have to deploy.”
The mean-looking launchers are powered by compressed Air/HPA paintball tanks and fitted with less lethal rubber or powder-filled rounds.
There are also projectiles with pava (or pepper spray), UV paint to easily identify assailants (corrections officials use them to spot prisoners after a riot) and a smelly concoction simply called “skunk.” The “window breakers” are used by law enforcement to gain access to a barricaded subject.
While the less lethal launchers have the look and feel of a real firearm, they are not classified as such, and the systems cannot be modified to fit real bullets.
They are an effective deterrence, however, said Worrell. “Our projectiles are strong enough and potent enough to incapacitate a subject with one or two rounds center mass.”
More than a hundred law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and countries including Colombia, Ecuador and Chile use these projectiles, said Worrell, but it is the civilian market where the company is planning their next big push.
Already popular with farmers, shop owners and cannabis dispensaries and grow operations in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, Worrell said the less lethal systems are great for home and self defense.
According to a study published last year by researchers at Harvard and Northeastern universities, just 3 percent of Americans own half of the country’s 265 million guns. Worrell said less lethal systems can be a good entry point or alternative to those who do not want the risks of owning a real gun.
“Taking someone’s life is not what everyone thinks about everyday, but in that once-in-a-lifetime moment, you are either ready or not, and that one second can lead to something detrimental,” said Worrell. “Less lethal systems are affordable and also a great way to build confidence among those who are thinking about purchasing a firearm.”
While the U.S. government has very limited gun data due to effective lobbying by the NRA, the Brady campaign estimates that 90 people in the U.S. die from gun violence each day.
Less lethal systems, which can be customized to look as fake or as real as the customer wants, can be a safer alternative.
Picking up the light and compact TIPX Pistol, Worrell said, in a low-light, high-stress situation, an assailant or home invader won’t know the difference between a less lethal projectile launcher and a firearm.
“He is only going to see you in an aggressive stance with something in your hand. He can either find out the hard way what it is, or leave.”
To learn more about less lethal defense systems and to schedule a demonstration, contact Defense Innovation at 800-727-7347.
