Editing Shotgun (section)

====Less-lethal rounds, for riot and animal control====
[[File:Fiocchi rubber buckshot.jpg|thumb|right|Two rounds of Fiocchi 12-gauge rubber buckshot]]
'''[[Flexible baton round]]s''', commonly called ''bean bags'', fire a fabric bag filled with birdshot or a similar loose, dense substance. The "punch" effect of the bag is useful for knocking down targets; the rounds are used by police to subdue violent suspects. The bean bag round is by far the most common [[less-lethal]] round used. Due to the large surface area of these rounds, they lose velocity rapidly, and must be used at fairly short ranges to be effective, though use at extremely short ranges, under {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, can result in broken bones or other serious or lethal injuries. The rounds can also fly in a frisbee-like fashion and cut the person or animal being fired at. For this reason, these types of rounds are referred to as less-lethal, as opposed to less-than-lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/206089.pdf |title=NIJ : Research for Practice : Impact Munitions Use: Types, Targets, Effects |publisher=Ncjrs.gov |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>

'''Gas''' shells spray a cone of gas for several meters. These are primarily used by riot police. They normally contain [[pepper gas]] or [[tear gas]]. Other variations launch a gas-grenade-like projectile.

'''Rock salt''' shells are hand loaded with coarse [[Halite|rock salt]] crystals, replacing the standard lead or steel shot. Rock salt shells could be seen as the forerunners of modern less-lethal rounds. In the United States, rock salt shells were and are sometimes still used by rural civilians to defend their property. The brittle salt was unlikely to cause serious injury at long ranges, but would cause painful stinging injuries and served as a warning. British gamekeepers have used rock salt shells to deter poachers. Rather than get into a physical confrontation, they stalk the poachers, making themselves known by a loud shout of "Run!" just before firing, to avoid hitting the now-fleeing subject in the eyes.

'''Rubber slugs''' or '''rubber buckshot''' are similar in principle to the bean bag rounds. Composed of flexible rubber or plastic and fired at low velocities, these rounds are probably the most common choice for riot control.

[[Taser International]] announced in 2007 a new 12-gauge '''eXtended Range Electronic Projectile''' or '''XREP''', which contains a small [[electroshock weapon]] unit in a carrier that can be fired from a standard 12-gauge shotgun. The XREP projectile is fin stabilized, and travels at an initial velocity of 100&nbsp;m/s (300&nbsp;ft/s). Barbs on the front attach the electroshock unit to the target, with a tassel deploying from the rear to widen the circuit. A twenty-second burst of electrical energy is delivered to the target. This product was expected to be released to market in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |title=TASER XREP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625092359/http://taser.com/products/law/Pages/XREP.aspx |archive-date=25 June 2009}}</ref> They were used—despite still being subject to testing, in breach of the supplier's license—by Northumbria police in their [[2010 Northumbria Police manhunt|standoff with Raoul Moat in 2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-11455884 |work=BBC |title=Raoul Moat Taser Company Director "Kills Himself" |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref>

'''[[Breaching round]]s''', often called '''[[Frangible bullet|frangible]]''', '''Disintegrator''', or '''Hatton''' rounds, are designed to destroy door locking mechanisms without risking lives. They are constructed of a very brittle substance that transfers most of the energy to the primary target but then fragment into much smaller pieces or dust so as not to injure unseen targets such as hostages or non-combatants that may be standing behind a breached door.

'''Bird bombs''' are low-powered rounds that fire a [[firecracker]] that is fused to explode a short time after firing.<ref name="nonlehtal">{{cite web| url=http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=A351134&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |title= FRAG-12 fact sheet| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904025317/http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=A351134&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> They are designed to scare animals, such as birds that congregate on airport [[runway]]s.

'''Screechers''' fire a [[pyrotechnic]] whistle that emits a loud whistling sound for the duration of its flight.<ref name="nonlehtal"/> These are also used to scare animals.

'''[[Blank (cartridge)|Blank]]''' shells contain only a small amount of powder and no actual load. When fired, the blanks provide the sound and flash of a real load, but with no projectile.<ref name="nonlehtal"/> These may be used for simulation of gunfire, scaring wildlife, or as power for a launching device such as the [[O.F. Mossberg & Sons|Mossberg]] #50298 marine line launcher.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mossberg.com/manuals/LineLauncher.pdf |title=Safety Equipment : Owner's Manual : Mossberg |publisher=Mossberg.com |access-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414105241/http://www.mossberg.com/manuals/LineLauncher.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2008 }}</ref>

'''{{Visible anchor|Stinger}}''' is a type of shotgun shell which contains sixteen 00-buck balls made of [[Zytel]], and is designed as a non-lethal ammunition ideally used in small spaces.