How To Identify Less-Lethal Weapons

https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2026/01/27/less-lethal-weapons-guide/

Bellingcat has put together an excellent guide on how to identify the "less-lethal" weapons that we've seen being deployed by DHS-ICE/CBP and police. These weapons are meant to be a less-lethal option, but the untrained federal agents aren't using them properly. For example, you aren't suppose to use them at close range and you aren't supposed to aim at someone's head. Just because they are a less-lethal option, doesn't mean they can't be lethal or cause devastating injuries when deployed improperly. Federal agents are using excessive use of force and causing injuries unnecessarily.