Did you hear about the company trying to introduce “lasso guns” into medical facilities and schools? Wrap Technologies, the maker of the BolaWrap lasso gun, is looking to expand the use of their firearm beyond just law enforcement.

Vice recently reported that Wrap Technologies has received interest from a hospital wanting to use their lasso gun for restraining “noncompliant individuals.” This move would require navigating around the National Firearm Act (NFA) to make their guns accessible to non-police and non-military entities.

To make this happen, Wrap has been lobbying the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to deregulate their latest model. This effort was discussed in an investor call where the company’s former CEO, Tom Smith, talked about broadening the market for their lasso guns.

The idea of lasso guns may sound strange, but they have become popular among law enforcement for restraining suspects. The BolaWrap 150, Wrap’s newest model, uses an airbag-like mechanism to deploy its cord, setting it apart from previous versions.

This approach reflects Smith’s success at Taser International, where he deregulated stun guns under the NFA by switching to a compressed gas propellant. While Smith’s time at Wrap was short-lived, he made significant strides before leaving, including the ATF determination that the company is optimistic about.

Although Wrap has not yet achieved the same level of success as Taser, their products have already stirred controversy. In a notable incident, Buffalo police used a lasso gun on a Black trans woman in crisis, sparking concerns about the weapon’s effectiveness and potential harm.

As conversations continue about the role of lasso guns in non-lethal options, it’s crucial to consider the implications of introducing such weapons into environments like schools. The debate surrounding these high-tech devices is ongoing, highlighting important questions about safety and ethics.

For more information on this contentious topic, be sure to read Vice Motherboard’s detailed article. And for insights into “nonlethal” weapons, don’t miss the story of a man catching fire after being tased by police. It serves as a reminder of the complex issues surrounding the use of force in today’s society.