Superintendant Bruce
Dunstan, Commander of NZ Police National Tactical Groups, today
(29/11/2013) publicly announced a new tactical option – a sponge
round fired from a 40mm gas launcher as already in use by
A.O.S and Special Tactics Groups. - The
rounds have a 30metre range but may be fired at "extremely
close range" with no greater risk of serious injury".
The high density sponge nose is aerodynamic in flight and is designed
to spread its blow over 4.5 times the surface area of its 40mm
calibre on impact.
"While the round does
cause pain, bruising and abrasions, there is a wealth of
international medical evidence that shows the risk of serious or life
threatening injury is extremely low. However, if it assists police to
resolve an armed situation safely without having to resort to
firearms, then it has justified its use."
New
Zealand Police Picture: "XM1006 SPONGE ROUND"
The weapon shown in the
NZ Police photo is a Heckler & Koch (HK69A1) MZP1
multipurpose police variant, rubber bullet and tear-gas grenade
launcher (weighing 2.52kg.). This is a break action, breech loaded
single shot. (- Made in Italy under license by Luigi Franchi
S.p.A.).
- Wikipedia
says that the spin stabilised 28gm projectile may be fatal at
ranges closer than 10 to 15 metres, - the sponge round fired from a
40mm M203 or M79 military grenade launcher provides temporary
incapacitation by blunt trauma (but may cause broken bones) out to
50metres, retaining a velocity of 200 feet per second at 50 metres.
The 40MM 'eXact
iMpact' XM1006
cartridges are made by SAFARILAND
– part no. 6325 - they are quoted as costing between US$55
and US$25 per round.
'Defense
Technologies' says that the optimal target zone is the "large
muscle groups of the buttocks, thigh, and even the knees of the
subject." These areas provide sufficient pain stimulus, while
greatly reducing serious or life threatening injuries. "However,
the size and weight of this round makes it the
safest of all choices for engaging the abdomen or upper torso of the
subject."
Marty K.
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
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