Ammunition designed for 9mm firearms exists on a spectrum of lethality. Certain cartridges are engineered to minimize the risk of fatality while still effectively incapacitating a target. These projectiles typically achieve this through reduced velocity, specialized construction materials such as rubber or plastic, or alternative payload deployment like beanbag rounds or pepper spray projectiles. For example, impact rounds made of deformable materials dissipate energy upon contact, reducing penetration and the likelihood of serious injury.
Reduced-lethality options in 9mm caliber provide law enforcement and security personnel with valuable tools for situations requiring controlled force. They offer a critical intermediate option between verbal commands and lethal force, potentially mitigating the risk of death or permanent harm. The historical development of such ammunition reflects an ongoing effort to refine methods of force application, balancing the need for effective control with the imperative to minimize harm. This evolution continues to drive innovation in cartridge design and material science.
