1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Less-lethal weapons like tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray can cause severe and lasting harm, despite the misleading label. These weapons have the potential to inflict serious injuries such as respiratory problems, nerve damage, blindness, and even death. Recent studies and evidence highlight how these crowd control tactics are far from harmless or safe. The deployment of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other chemical irritants against protesters raises significant health concerns. Tear gas exposure increases vulnerability to respiratory infections and can trigger asthma attacks. Rubber bullets, while branded as "non-lethal", have caused traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement, and fatalities when striking the head or neck area. Around 3% of people hit by rubber bullets have died from resulting injuries. Clearly, these so-called "less-lethal" weapons pose grave dangers and should be restricted from use against crowds and demonstrators. Law enforcement tactics that put civilians at risk of permanent disability or loss of life violate fundamental human rights. Reforms are urgently needed to prevent further injuries and preserve the right to peaceful protest. Public safety demands ending the use of indiscriminate weapons that cause severe and unjustified harm.