A pepper ball, also known as a pepper ball or pepper ball, is a low-lethal warhead containing a tear-gassing chemical powder. The powder it contains has a composition similar to pepper spray, and is often used by police for riot control and dispersal purposes. It is mainly fired from a special launcher, or a modified paintbomb launcher

After the pepper ball hits the human body, it will not cause penetration, but will rupture on the surface of the human body and release the contained tear-inducing powder to achieve the tear-inducing effect. People hit by pepper balls experience intense pain, irritation from tear gas, etc.

Although classified as a low lethality weapon, pepper balls should not be fired at people at close range[1], nor should they be aimed at the face, eyes, throat, etc., otherwise there is a chance of causing death.

Victoria Snelgrove, a 21-year-old American, was killed by a pepper ball fired by Boston police during a demonstration in 2004

The Hong Kong police used pepper ball guns when they cracked down on the campaign against the amendment bill to the Fugitive Offenders Bill in 2019. According to the manufacturer's information, the pepper ball guns used by the Hong Kong police have a range of more than 45 meters. It is necessary to avoid shooting at people within 1.8 meters. The middle eye has the opportunity to cause permanent damage or even fatality. The manufacturer's instructions stated that shooting at the head, neck, chest, heart or spine could result in serious injury or death, but the Hong Kong police were found to be shooting at a crowd at close range during protests against the protests[4]. The press conference stated that the launch distance was about one to two meters at the time, and the police believed that the safe distance was at least 1.8 meters shorter than the manufacturer's guideline. On December 25, a reporter was shot in the head with a pepper ball by the police, bleeding in the head, and there was a deep wound on the right forehead. However, the police chased away the journalists and volunteer first responders who helped the injured reporter bandage, and arrested him for illegal assembly.[6] ].