In The Line Of Fire Archives

In The Line Of Fire

A series investigating the use of so-called less-lethal munitions — such as rubber bullets and “bean bag” rounds — at protests, and why they’ve never been regulated even as protesters have been blinded, maimed or killed. The project is a collaboration between ��ýҕ�l Health News and USA Today.

Less-Lethal Weapons Blind, Maim and Kill. Victims Say Enough Is Enough.

Time and again over the past two decades, peace officers have targeted demonstrators with munitions designed only to stun and stop. Protests this year in reaction to George Floyd’s death in police custody have reignited a controversy surrounding their use.

By Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY, Jay Hancock, and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY

July 24, 2020

Fractured Skulls, Lost Eyes: Police Often Break Own Rules Using ‘Rubber Bullets’

By Liz Szabo, Jay Hancock, Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY, Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, and Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY

June 19, 2020

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In the Line of Fire

Minneapolis Police Injured Protesters With Rubber Bullets. The City Has Taken Little Action.

A year after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody, there is scant evidence the city has changed how its police officers use less-lethal weapons or strengthened its oversight. Instead, it may be a study in stymied reform, unenforced policies and a lack of transparency.

By Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY

May 26, 2021
In the Line of Fire

‘It Seems Systematic’: Doctors Cite 115 Cases of Head Injuries From Crowd Control Devices

In the most comprehensive tally of such injuries to date, the Physicians for Human Rights scoured publicly available data — including social media, news accounts and lawsuits — to document and name victims of summer protests. Still, the group cautions, it's likely an undercount.

By Jordan Culver, USA Today

Sept. 14, 2020
In The Line Of Fire

Cities and States Look to Crack Down on ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapons Used by Police

Dozens of protesters were injured in recent protests, triggering efforts to limit or ban the use of rubber bullets and other projectiles.

By Jay Hancock, Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY, and Donovan Slack, USA TODAY

Sept. 3, 2020
KHN On Air

Listen: NPR Interview About Less Lethal Weapons That Can Maim Or Kill

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Jay Hancock of KHN about an investigation into the use of so-called less-lethal munitions — such as rubber bullets and bean bags — at protests, and why they’ve never been regulated.

Aug. 3, 2020
Police Using Rubber Bullets On Protesters That Can Kill, Blind Or Maim For Life

Police in multiple cities are using supposedly “nonlethal” crowd-control methods from rubber bullets to tear gas bombs to pepper-spray projectiles.

By Liz Szabo

June 2, 2020

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