Can you believe it? A company is actually trying to get their “lasso guns” into medical facilities and schools. Wrap Technologies, the company behind the BolaWrap lasso gun, has been exploring ways to expand the use of their firearm beyond law enforcement.
Recent findings by Vice have shown that Wrap Technologies has received interest from a hospital looking to use their lasso gun for restraining “noncompliant individuals.” This move would require the company to navigate around the National Firearm Act (NFA) to make their guns accessible to non-police and non-military entities.
To achieve this, Wrap has been lobbying the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to deregulate their latest model. This effort was highlighted in an investor call where the company’s former CEO, Tom Smith, discussed the application to broaden the market for their lasso guns.
The concept of lasso guns may seem odd, but they have gained popularity among law enforcement for restraining suspects. The BolaWrap 150, Wrap’s latest model, uses an airbag-like mechanism to deploy its cord, distinguishing it from previous versions.
This strategy mirrors Smith’s past success with Taser International, where he managed to deregulate stun guns under the NFA by transitioning to a compressed gas propellant. Smith’s tenure at Wrap was short-lived, but he made significant moves before departing, including the ATF determination that the company is optimistic about.
While Wrap has yet to reach the level of success seen by Taser, their products have already sparked controversy. In a notable incident, Buffalo police used a lasso gun on a Black trans woman in crisis, raising concerns about the weapon’s effectiveness and potential harm.
As discussions continue about the role of lasso guns in non-lethal alternatives, it’s essential to consider the implications of introducing such weapons into environments like schools. The debate around these high-tech devices is far from over, but it’s clear that their presence raises important questions about safety and ethics.
If you want to learn more about this controversial topic, check out Vice Motherboard’s in-depth article. And for more on “nonlethal” weapons, don’t miss the story of a man bursting into flames after being tased by police. It’s a reminder of the complex issues surrounding the use of force in modern society.
