By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

 
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America – Following protests regarding police brutality in the St. Louis suburbs, police are testing a device that would be attached to a regular handgun that may reduce the use of lethal force by law enforcement. The device is being called “The Alternative.” It consists of an orange cap that mounts onto a handgun, and when the gun is fired, the resulting projectile will have enough force to knock a person down but not kill. This week, five Ferguson police instructors will train to use the device, and will then convey their training to the entire police department.

Post-protests, many have maintained their criticism for law enforcement agencies’ use of “casual brutality.” Debates over police use-of-force have gripped the country following the grand juries’ decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson, the police officer responsible for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. Al Eickhoff, Ferguson’s assistant police chief, has stated that he was looing for a new device that would be a practical alternative to lethal force that might have prevented a deadly result in the case of Michael Brown.

The Alternative can be readily affixed to the standard-issue Glock and Sig Sauer pistols. However, it has not yet been tested on a human, but it has been tested on foam, gel and leather. The Alternative is designed to be used in situations where officers must decide in a split second, whether to shoot someone to protect themselves or others. When the attachment is places on the barrel of a gun, and when the weapon is wired, the bullet embed itself into an alloy projectile, that is designed to send a shock wave of pain through the suspect without causing any internal damage. The device is meant to capture the first bullet, and the next round chambered would fire as a regular bullet, that is lethal. Thus, there is concern that if the Alternative should fail to stop its target, the second bullet may be discharged.

Opponents have considered the product dangerous because not only has it yet to be tested, but also because officers must take time to remove the device from their belts and affix it to their weapon, thus exposing the officers to a “greater risk.” The Ferguson police department has said that the technology has been demonstrated to department officials, but there has not yet been a decision to implement the device.

 

For more information, please see the following:

THE GUARDIAN – ‘Less Than Lethal’? Ferguson Test Of Gun ‘Alternative’ Draws Fire From Police Vets – 4. Feb 2015.

NBC NEWS – Ferguson Police Begin Testing ‘Less Letha;’ Gun Attachment – 4 Feb. 2015.

TIME – Ferguson Police Are Testing ‘Less-Lethal’ Attachments For Guns – 4 Feb. 2015.

WASHINGTON POST – Ferguson, Mo., Police Begin Testing New ‘Less-Lethal’ Attachment For Guns – 4. Feb. 2015.