A plastic bullet or plastic baton round (PBR) is a non-lethal projectile fired from a specialised gun. Although designed as a non-lethal weapon they have still caused several deaths. They are generally used for riot control (notably in Northern Ireland). Plastic bullets were developed by the British security forces to replace their rubber bullets in an attempt to reduce fatalities. If misused they can still cause fatal injury.
An unrelated small-calibre handgun bullet made of plastic is sometimes used for short range target practice (see recreational use).
Read more about Plastic Bullet: Design, Recreational Use
Famous quotes containing the words plastic and/or bullet:
“The site of the true bottomless financial pit is the toy store. It’s amazing how much a few pieces of plastic and paper will sell for if the purchasers are parents or grandparent, especially when the manufacturers claim their product improves a child’s intellectual or physical development.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)
“It’s not the bullet with my name on it that worries me. It’s the one that says “To whom it may concern.””
—Anonymous Belfast Resident. quoted in Guardian (London, Oct. 16, 1991)