Para-Ops is a newcomer to the less-lethal arena of tactical tools designed to neutralize potential threats: rabid dogs, wild boars… Antifa thugs, you name it.
For SHOT Show 2022, the company debuted its nifty five-shot flashlight and a single-shot mini launcher.
Firing proprietary projectiles that are situated in patent-pending Low Energy Cartridges (LECs) for stabilization, and improved accuracy, the devices can deliver three different pre-set payloads:
- Incapacitating pepper
- Inert colored powder
- A solid slug for “pain compliance”
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Users will have an effective range of about 60 feet. Though, the website claims 150 feet. Which is it? Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to test it out as there was a shipping SNAFU. But hopefully, we’ll get one in for review in the near future.
What really stood out to me was the trigger system on the five-shot flashlight. Pulling the trigger doesn’t actually launch the projectile, rather it rotates the cylinder to cycle in and prepare the next projectile for deployment.
To launch the projectile, the user actually hits the big red button on the top. This was intentionally done to differentiate it from standard firearms.
As we’ve seen in the recent past, sometimes law enforcement officers have a hard time telling their tasers from their sidearm in the heat of the moment. The Kim Potter saga comes to mind.
By creating a firing system unique to the five-shot flashlight, Para Ops is hoping to avoid confusing or complicating things for the end-user.
Though it’s a brand-new product, it does have the endorsement of Brandon Tatum, a former SWAT operator and field training officer with the Tucson Police Department.
“The Para Ops system can protect lives and help law enforcement officers throughout the U.S. better serve their communities,” said Tatum in a press release.
“The best non-lethal option that police officers throughout the country currently have is the taser; however, I have personally never used the taser in my many years on the force, simply because tasers are often not effective at getting the job done,” he continued.
“Officers certainly need lethal weapons; but it is critical that they also be equipped with effective non-lethal options for use in non-life-threatening situations.”
No word yet on price or availability. Interested parties can, in the meantime, join the waitlist by visiting Para-Ops.com.
Man, that looks like it came off the 3D printer this morning. It’s not even finished well for a prototype.
If they’re going with springs, seems like they could learn a few things from Nerf.
Unable to join waitlist on line, please add my email to your list. How much?
The handout sheet above says no compressed air, no CO2, no gunpowder.
That sort of limits the choices. Springs come to mind.
What propels the projectile(s)? Co2 like a Byrna pepper ball launcher? Gunpowder? Civilian or LE only?