Intermediate force weapons in French law enforcement

French law enforcement has been using equipment classified as "intermediate force weapons," which are situated between bare fists and firearms, according to the Minister of the Interior. These tools are intended to provide a middle ground in crowd control, offering more force than physical restraint but less than lethal firearms.

Legal classification and control

Some of these weapons are classified as A2 in the Interior Security Code, relating to "war materials," though their classification is primarily legal and administrative. This categorization subjects their manufacture, trade, and use to strict state control, emphasizing their potential risks despite being less dangerous than traditional firearms.

Injuries and fatalities

Despite their classification as non-lethal, these weapons have resulted in severe injuries and even deaths. For example, a 15-year-old protester had his hand torn off by a loud grenade on October 5 in Lens, prompting the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, to temporarily suspend their use. The suspension was later lifted on October 17, though another incident in Saint-Étienne left an 17-year-old minor with a similar injury.

Criticism and debate on non-lethal weapons

Economist Paul Rocher, author of Gazer, mutiler, soumettre. Politique de l’arme non létale, argues that while the definition of a "non-lethal" weapon suggests it should be harmless, the real effects and behaviors it encourages must also be considered. He highlights the psychological and behavioral impacts of using such weapons, which can lower the threshold for their use.

Official justification for use

Authorities defend the use of these weapons, stating they allow police and gendarmerie to respond to serious violence without resorting to real bullets. Jean-Paul Nascimento, national secretary of Unsa Police CRS, emphasizes that these weapons help maintain a distance between protesters and police, a key principle of the National Order Maintenance Plan.

French law enforcement's arsenal

French law enforcement has a particularly wide arsenal, including deafening grenades, tear gas, encirclement grenades, 56-millimeter grenade launchers, 40-millimeter defense ball launchers (LBD), and various pyrotechnic devices. These tools are meant to manage crowds while minimizing the risk of death.

Historical incidents and changes

The death of Rémi Fraisse in 2014, caused by an OF-F1 grenade, marked a turning point. The OF-F1 was suspended and later withdrawn, while the GLI-F4 was replaced by the GM2L, which no longer contains TNT, after several protesters suffered serious injuries. However, after incidents involving the GM2L, its hand launch was prohibited, requiring it to be fired using a launcher.

Tear gas and its effects

Tear gas, though prohibited in warfare by the Geneva Protocol of 1925, remains authorized for law enforcement. A review published in BMC Public Health in 2017 recorded injuries from tear gas, including respiratory, ophthalmological, and skin injuries, as well as trauma from direct impact.

Behavioral impact of non-lethal weapons

Paul Rocher highlights the "behavioral effect" of non-lethal weapons, suggesting they lower the psychological threshold for their use, leading to increased frequency and quicker deployment. This can create a "deresponsibilizing effect," as agents may feel less constrained by the potential for lethal outcomes.

Usage statistics during protests

According to the National Police Inspectorate (IGPN), the use of LBD ammunition increased significantly from 6,357 rounds in 2017 to 19,071 in 2018, the year the Yellow Vest movement began. Encirclement grenades saw a similar increase, from 1,367 uses in 2017 to 5,420 in 2018.

Challenges in applying rules

Applying the rules for LBD use, such as a shooting distance between 10m and 30m and a prohibition on targeting the head and genital areas, is challenging due to the difficulty in assessing depth accurately. This complicates adherence to established protocols during chaotic protests.

Lack of comprehensive injury data

France lacks a public, comprehensive census of people injured by law enforcement weapons, relying instead on judicial procedures, hospital records, and reports from the Defender of Rights or the IGPN. This absence hinders accurate evaluation of the weapons' effects and weakens judicial control.

Calls for suspension and refusal

Since 2017, the Defender of Rights, UN experts, the European Court of Human Rights commissioner, several NGOs, and left-wing political parties have requested the suspension or abandonment of the LBD in demonstrations. French authorities refuse, citing the need to protect agents and provide a response between the baton and the pistol.

Proposals for change and concerns

Paul Rocher argues that a better framework is not possible due to the impossibility of guaranteeing conditions in a crowd, suggesting the only remaining option is a ban on certain weapons. Jean-Paul Nascimento, however, warns that losing these intermediate weapons could lead to more violent confrontations and videos of police beating people in demonstrations.