FLORENCE, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - A less-lethal handgun is soon to be deployed in Pinal County. Is it too good to be true? Apparently not.
Sheriff Paul Babeu demonstrated a new weapon his more than 120 patrol deputies will have by the beginning of 2016. The short, barrel-less weapon, similar to a handgun, fires rubber impact rounds instead of bullets and is meant to knock someone to the ground but not kill them. These rounds are different from the rubber bullets used in some crowd control weapons.
Defenzia will manufacture the weapons in Scottsdale. The technology for the weapon was developed in Russia where it is already used along with Egypt, France, and Germany.
"There is a big gap between lethal and non-lethal, or less lethal, devices that police officers have available out there," said Leao Gitirana, Defenzia owner.
Soon, Pinal County will be the first law enforcement agency in the United States to use this kind of weapon.
"First time any law enforcement agency in America is using this weapon and we're deploying it to every patrol deputy," said Babeu, excited about the announcement.
The weapon will be called the Defenzia M09. What can it do?
It is a very small gun with four chambers. Patrol deputies will use rubber impact rounds, designed not to break or penetrate the skin. The small round, about the size of a Tootsie Roll, travels more than 300 miles per hour and is supposed to feel like getting hit with a fastball by a Major Leage Baseball pitcher.
"It has stopping power, it will knock someone down from a great distance," said Babeu.
This weapon is also very accurate with an effective range of about 40 yards. It also comes with a green laser marker which points off the front.
Deputies will also be able to use a flash-bang round, a very bright and very loud shot. It is supposed to temporarily stun and blind a person of interest.
Other features include illumination rounds to briefly light up the night sky, and flare rounds to use mark location. Both can be used by search and rescue or anti-smuggling units in the desert.
Sheriff Babeu says this new weapon has the potential to transform how his deputies work.
"Another tool for our deputies so they can resolve a situation where force is required, to force compliance, whatever we're doing, so it doesn't result in death. That's what we want to get to," said Babeu.
He says he does not want his deputies to get called out and have to make it end in death.
"In those opportunities that we have to use less than lethal force to end a conflict or situation, we want to do that. We want to lead that conversation to find other solutions to these use of force issues."
To be clear, this is not a non-lethal weapon, but when used properly it is supposed to injure a person of interest. Additionally, it will not replace a deputy's handgun. They will still use those if there is a threat against their life or someone else's.
