Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for use in releasing gas from a compressed gas source. Some embodiments provide apparatuses for use in releasing compressed gas from a source that include a source of compressed gas, a puncture pin, a driving mechanism positioned relative to the source of compressed gas, and a trigger mechanism. Upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the compressed gas onto the puncture pin releasing the compressed gas from the source. In other embodiments, upon activation of the trigger mechanism the driving mechanism drives the puncture pin into the compressed gas releasing the compressed gas from the source.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide compact launching apparatuses for use in launching non-lethal projectiles. Some embodiments provide handheld apparatuses for use in launching non-lethal projectiles that include a source of compressed gas, an expansion chamber cooperated with the source of gas to receive gas released from the source of gas, a barrel having a bore aligned with an output of the expansion chamber, and a burst disk positioned between the barrel bore and the output of the expansion chamber. The burst disk is configured to rupture releasing the gas within the expansion chamber when the pressure within the expansion chamber. Some embodiments provide for quick reload devices with disposable portions of the apparatus. Some embodiments contain a gas pressure diffuser to enhance the ability to simultaneously launch multiple frangible projectiles. The present embodiments can be used offensively, and defensively as protection against threatening humans or animals.

Abstract: Projectiles and projectile systems are provided herein employing an inhibiting and/or marking substance for impairing/marking a living target. In some embodiments, the systems include a primer only launched projectile system. The primer only launched projectile systems can include a shell, a primer, a propulsion shock damper and the projectiles. In some embodiments the systems can be used with standard shotguns or other standard guns. In some implementations, the primer can be a percussion or electrically activated primer. The propulsion shock damper is located within the shell such that a seal is formed between the propulsion shock damper and the shell casing. The relatively low kinetic projectiles are intended to be non-lethal, less than lethal or less lethal in nature, such that the projectiles impact a body with safe kinetics as not to penetrate the body in a lethal manner.

Abstract: A non-lethal projectile system for non-lethally inhibiting a living target, multi-functional launching devices for delivering the non-lethal projectile systems to a target, methods of assembling the non-lethal projectiles, and tactical methods of the use of the non-lethal projectile, the non-lethal projectile consists of a projectile body to be impacted with a living target and an inhibiting substance within the projectile body, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is dispersed on and about the target. In a variation, the projectile body ruptures upon impact releasing the substance. In another variation, the inhibiting substance is a powdered substance comprising a powdered pepper derived substance, for example, oleoresin capsicum or capsaicin.