University of Kwazulu-Natal

What Are Rubber Bullets And Are They Being Used In La What Other Crowd

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
what are rubber bullets and are they being used in la what other crowd

Seven hundred Marines have been activated and are preparing to deploy to Los Angeles where they will join National Guard troops ordered to protect federal personnel and property in response to protests over immigration... President Donald Trump said the guard, sent over the objections of local and state leaders, would restore order after clashes between police and protesters angry at his aggressive pursuit of undocumented immigrants. Videos of the protests have shown both peaceful gatherings and chaotic skirmishes with protesters hurling objects and law enforcement firing so-called “less lethal” weapons. This ammunition is designed to travel more slowly than bullets and cause pain without penetrating the body, but still can cause serious injury and death. Police departments across the country are increasingly adopting less-than-lethal weapons in the wake of police shootings in which unarmed citizens were killed, according to a January 2025 report by the Congressional Research Service. Some examples include:

Here's a look at key events over the last few days and various munitions being used by law enforcement: Homeland Security agents detained several people outside a Home Depot west of downtown L.A., and later at a clothing store in the Fashion District. People gathered to photograph and video the officers, and a few protesters also arrived. Four search warrants were executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a spokesperson for Homeland Security told the Los Angeles Times. At least 44 people were arrested.

As protesters against federal immigration raids have clashed in recent days with law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division sent out a warning: “Less Lethal munitions have been authorized,” officials wrote on X, ordering crowds in Downtown Los Angeles to disperse. “Less lethal munitions may cause pain and discomfort.” Police have used a standard variety of tools to disperse crowds and quell protests that had devolved into violence, with protesters lighting self-driving cars on fire and two motorcyclists driving into a skirmish line... A Molotov cocktail was also thrown at officers, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell alleged, condemning the “disgusting” violence. Authorities have responded with force.

So far, CNN has documented the deployment of flash-bangs, tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as more traditional gear such as batons. These weapons – often described as “less lethal,” “less-than-lethal” or “non-lethal” – are those “explicitly designed and primarily employed to incapacitate … while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property,... Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg with a "less lethal" round while reporting on protests against US immigration enforcement in Los Angeles this week. The Nine News journalist said she was "a bit sore but OK" after the incident. Firing these rounds is just one of the crowd control tactics being used by authorities at the demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Here's what we know about the methods authorities use to control crowds.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) authorised officers to use what it calls "less lethal munitions" in the protests over the weekend. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet while reporting on protests against US immigration enforcement in Los Angeles this week. The Nine News journalist said she was "a bit sore but OK" after the incident. Firing rubber bullets is just one of the crowd control tactics being used by authorities at the demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Here's what we know about the methods authorities use to control crowds. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) authorised officers to use what it calls "less lethal munitions" in the protests over the weekend.

The scenes emerging from metro Los Angeles, where largely peaceful protests against the Trump administration’s immigration raids continued amid a law enforcement crackdown, bear a striking resemblance to those that took place five years... Police deployed “less lethal” crowd control tactics, using tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets against demonstrators. Officers shot one reporter with a rubber bullet in the leg while she was on air. “Less lethal” is not quite a misnomer; injuries from these weapons are very different from gunshot wounds. But as The Trace’s Brian Freskos reported in the summer of 2020, when it comes to rubber bullets — one of the weapons police often use to quell demonstrations — describing them as entirely... Rubber bullets are designed to inflict blunt force trauma, and they’re infamous for inflicting serious injuries.

They can slam into targets with as much force as a baseball traveling at 90mph. Because rubber bullets are less accurate than conventional rounds, they pose enormous risks to innocent bystanders. They can even cause death. There’s no sign that the temperature in Los Angeles is going down. The Trump administration is sending in military forces — one defense official reportedly told The Intercept that the deployment of Marines was a “provocation” designed to foster a “manufactured crisis” — and California is... The president is stoking the fire in other ways, too.

As Mother Jones noted, in the summer of 2020, Trump used the phrase “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” On Monday, he posted an echo of that on his social media platform: “If... Ohio’s Innovative Approach to Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors: Its unorthodox strategy is among a slate of state efforts to address intimate partner gun violence. What U.S. police are using to corral, subdue and disperse demonstrators A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025.

A police officer aims a weapon amid smoke during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles began deploying “less lethal” munitions on June 8 as they clashed with crowds protesting federal immigration raids. “Less lethal” or “less-than-lethal” weapons are designed to cause pain and discomfort, normally to disperse hostile crowds, but have caused serious injury and death in the past. Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University

Samara McPhedran does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Griffith University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles. In response, police and military personnel have been deployed around the greater LA area. During the clash with crowds protesting the federal immigration raids, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles (LA) began deploying “less lethal” weapons on Sunday. “Less lethal” or “less-than-lethal” weapons are designed to cause pain and discomfort, normally to disperse hostile crowds, but have caused serious injury and death in the past.

Here is a list of the less lethal weapons that have been deployed in Los Angeles in recent days, according to Reuters witnesses and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Media outlets and a reporter hit in the leg by a projectile on Sunday have said LAPD officers have been firing rubber bullets, a metal casing covered in rubber. In fact, the LAPD does not use rubber bullets, the department told Reuters. Nathan (Australia), Jun 11 (The Conversation) After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles. In response, police and military personnel have been deployed around the greater LA area. Authorities have been using “less lethal” weapons against crowds of civilians, but these weapons can still cause serious harm.

Footage of an Australian news reporter being shot by a rubber bullet fired by police – who appeared to deliberately target her – has been beamed around the world. And headlines this morning told of an ABC camera operator hit in the chest with a “less lethal” round. This has provoked debate about police and military use of force. Rubber bullets (also called rubber baton rounds) are a type of baton round.[1] Despite the name, rubber bullets typically have either a metal core with a rubber coating, or are a homogeneous admixture with... Although they are considered a less lethal alternative to metal projectiles, rubber bullets can still cause fatal injuries as well as other serious injuries such as blindness or other permanent disabilities.[2][3] Like other similar projectiles made from plastic, wax, and wood, rubber bullets may be used for short range practice and animal control, but are most commonly used in riot control and to disperse protests.[4][5][6]

Rubber bullets were invented by the British Ministry of Defence for riot control purposes in Northern Ireland during the Troubles,[7] and were first used there in 1970.[8] Rubber projectiles have largely been replaced by other materials, as rubber tends to bounce uncontrollably.[9] Analysis of the composition of the "rubber" pellets used by Chilean police shows that 80% of the pellets is made up of hard substances, chiefly silica and barium sulfate, while rubber makes up 20%. The measured hardness of the "rubber" pellets is 96.5 shore A.[10] The hardness of the pellets explain why "exploded eyes" were so common in the 2019–2020 Chilean protests.[10]

People Also Search

Seven Hundred Marines Have Been Activated And Are Preparing To

Seven hundred Marines have been activated and are preparing to deploy to Los Angeles where they will join National Guard troops ordered to protect federal personnel and property in response to protests over immigration... President Donald Trump said the guard, sent over the objections of local and state leaders, would restore order after clashes between police and protesters angry at his aggressiv...

Here's A Look At Key Events Over The Last Few

Here's a look at key events over the last few days and various munitions being used by law enforcement: Homeland Security agents detained several people outside a Home Depot west of downtown L.A., and later at a clothing store in the Fashion District. People gathered to photograph and video the officers, and a few protesters also arrived. Four search warrants were executed by U.S. Immigration and ...

As Protesters Against Federal Immigration Raids Have Clashed In Recent

As protesters against federal immigration raids have clashed in recent days with law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division sent out a warning: “Less Lethal munitions have been authorized,” officials wrote on X, ordering crowds in Downtown Los Angeles to disperse. “Less lethal munitions may cause pain and discomfort.” Police have used a standard variety of tools to dispe...

So Far, CNN Has Documented The Deployment Of Flash-bangs, Tear

So far, CNN has documented the deployment of flash-bangs, tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as more traditional gear such as batons. These weapons – often described as “less lethal,” “less-than-lethal” or “non-lethal” – are those “explicitly designed and primarily employed to incapacitate … while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired ...

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Authorised Officers To Use

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) authorised officers to use what it calls "less lethal munitions" in the protests over the weekend. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet while reporting on protests against US immigration enforcement in Los Angeles this week. The Nine News journalist said she was "a bit sore but OK" after the incident. Firing rubber bu...