Which statement best describes 'less lethal' munitions?

• A. They are more likely to cause death than lethal munitions.
• B. They are less likely to cause death but have a greater risk of serious bodily injury or death than non-lethal options.
• C. They never cause injury.
• D. They are always non-lethal and harmless.

Answer: (B)

Less-lethal munitions are designed to reduce the chance of a fatal outcome compared with traditional lethal weapons, but they are not risk-free. They aim to incapacitate or deter with lower lethality, which is why they’re described as less lethal. However, because they deliver force or irritants, they can still cause significant harm. The possibility of serious injury or death remains higher than with non-lethal options such as verbal de-escalation or other restraint techniques that don’t involve projectiles, sprays, or impact rounds. So the statement that best captures the concept is that these munitions are less likely to cause death than lethal weapons, yet they carry a greater risk of serious bodily injury or death than non-lethal alternatives.