Police Test "Less Lethal" Bullet Alternative

In light of recent events in which lethal force was used by police (in several incidents across the United States), a new "less-lethal" alternative is being tested. Created by the company "Alternative Ballistics," this "bullet attachment" hooks on to the front of the police officer's handgun and provides a sort of airbag-like system for the first shot. Once the first shot is fired, every subsequent shot is lethal as ever. This is "The Alternative", and according to the company that makes it, it was invented by a "retired sheriff police officer who did not like that people were being shot when the officers do have time."

This "Alternative" accessory sits in a pouch on the officer's belt. When needed, the officer pulls the accessory out with one hand and attaches it to the front of his or her gun. This accessory is an attachment for the front of the gun.

The attachment slides over the front and top of the gun, and blasts off completely when the first shot from said gun is fired.

The front of the attachment is a big metal ball. Once one shot is fired, the bullet enters the spherical projectile, and the rest of the accessory flies off in a different direction.

The company says that the impact is similar to that of a major league baseball player slamming a hammer into the chest of the recipient of this projectile.

These accessories are being shipped to the Ferguson, MO police department first. This is the department where the shooting of Michael Brown still rings loudly – a place where non-lethal force is being called for.

The team at Alternative Ballistics do warn that The Alternative COULD still be lethal if fired in the right place and under the right circumstances. An especially frail person could easily be knocked down and out – and firing one of these projectiles at a person's face wouldn't exactly be pretty.

Above you'll see another demonstration of the gun, this time by a reporter for San Diego Fox 5 News. This report first appeared earlier this February.

And for those of you wondering why this is a better alternative than rubber bullets – we're not sure. Alternative Ballistics have not provided an answer and Ferguson Police Department officials could not be reached.