REDONDO BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2015 / The non-lethal weapons market is expected to grow from $5.2 billion in 2014 to $7.2 billion by 2020, according to Markets and Markets, driven by the rise in protests in emerging markets and a string of high-profile police shootings in developed markets like the United States.
The Associated Press reports that more than 20 North American cities are testing new less-lethal alternatives to bullets - called "blunt impact projectiles" - that cause excruciating pain without killing the target. For example, Security Devices International Inc. (OTC: SDEV), a defense technology company, hired Micron Products Inc. to make rubber-bullet alternatives with silicone heads that expand and flatten upon impact.
According to the report, sixteen law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and six in Canada have purchased the projectiles, including SWAT units in Los Angeles and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. The agencies see the new ammunition as a way to bridge the gap between TASER International Inc.'s (NASDAQ: TASR) devices and their service weapons as a way to bring down targets without risking major injury and the ensuing legal implications.
Tasers and other high voltage stun guns have been known to cause cardiac arrhythmia in susceptible subjects, which could lead to heart attack or death in minutes via ventricular fibrillation. For instance, a jury found that a Manchester factory worker died party as a result of being shot with a Taser, leading to several police officers being put on leave. These types of issues could be avoided with the use of alternatives like non-lethal ammunition.
In July, Lamperd Less Lethal Inc. (OTC: LLLI), a developer of less-lethal weapons and ammunition, announced the acquisition of built-to-order molds to manufacture non-lethal ammunition and moved into production. The company's small caliber ammunition is designed to be compatible with the most popular small caliber rifle used around the world, which could open up the door to significant new revenue channels.
Figure 1 - Lamperd Less Lethal Ammunition Manufacturing - Source: Lamperd Less Lethal Inc.
The company also launched a line of on-body cameras - known as the Model X100 - designed to help law enforcement document tense situations without relying on human witnesses. In December of last year, the firm also shipped the first of its streaming video and audio body cameras with cloud storage to distributors in the U.K. and Egypt, while management anticipates that demand will continue to pick up over time for the devices.
Lamperd Less Lethal differentiates itself from other non-lethal weapons manufacturers, such as Stinger Systems Inc. (OTC: STYS), in that it also producers larger scale non-lethal weapons targeting international end markets. For instance, the company unveiled a line-up of ultra-light launchers last year that it has already been selling into both domestic markets in Canada and international markets around the world.
In April of 2014, the company announced the delivery of 250 Ultra-Light Single-Shot launchers to the Canadian government. The 40mm Single-Shot grenade launchers are used for crowd control purposes, firing tear gas and similar forms of non-lethal ammunition. In addition to these launchers, the company unveiled its new Ultra-Light Multi-Shot Launcher that weights just 5.4 pounds, compared to over 9 pounds for competing products.
Figure 2 - Lamperd Less Lethal Launchers - Source: Lamperd Less Lethal Inc.
Management has spent a lot of time drumming up interest in the launchers and its other products at international security trade shows and other events. Through these venues, the company has seen a lot of interest among large governmental customers, including several in the Middle East. Landing just one of these multi-million dollar contracts could make a big impact on the stock that trades with a market cap of less than $5 million.
In the end, non-lethal weapons and ammunition continue to grow in popularity as governments look to control protests and law enforcement looks to avoid unintentional deaths and the legal implications that follow. Companies like Lamperd Less Lethal are uniquely positioned to capitalize on both of these opportunities with their crowd control launchers and non-lethal ammunition that could create recurring revenue opportunities.
For more information, visit the company's website at www.lamperdlesslethal.com.
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SOURCE: Emerging Growth LLC
