The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is moving to significantly expand its arsenal of crowd-control tools, planning to spend up to $50 million on a vast array of Less Lethal Specialty Munitions. According to procurement materials, the agency is seeking a vendor capable of supplying 123 different types of munitions categorized across 10 distinct groups, a move that has raised urgent questions regarding tactical necessity and agent training.
The procurement effort comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the use of such munitions during federal immigration enforcement and protests. The scale of the acquisition is substantial, with CBP projecting the purchase of over 242,000 hand-delivered pyrotechnic canisters and more than 100,000 impact munitions designed to be fired from grenade launcher-style tubes according to the contracting document.
This spending is part of a broader trend of increased armament within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Recent reports indicate a dramatic surge in weapons spending, including over $140 million spent on weapons for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025 via EL PAÍS English.
The Chemical Composition of Crowd Control
The CBP “shopping list” focuses heavily on two primary chemical agents: chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and oleoresin capsicum (OC), the latter of which is derived from chili peppers. These agents are deployed through a variety of delivery systems, including smoke grenades and specialized dispersal devices. Of particular concern are thermal “foggers,” which create mists of microscopic droplets to spread chemicals over wide areas.
Industry specifications suggest the potency of these systems; for instance, the Golden Eagle Pepper Fogger Generator produced by Defense Technology is capable of outputting 100,000 cubic feet of tear gas in just 26 seconds. While these are classified as “less lethal,” medical researchers warn that the health impacts can extend far beyond temporary pain.
A 2023 study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that greater exposure to chemical agents was significantly associated with higher odds of adverse reproductive health outcomes, including uterine cramping, breast tenderness, and delayed or early menstrual bleeding via University of Minnesota.
The Risks of “Less Lethal” Munitions
The term “less lethal” is often viewed by critics as a euphemism, as these weapons can cause permanent disability or death if used incorrectly or at close range. The procurement list includes 13,000 “distraction devices” designed to stun targets with bright lights and loud sounds. These devices are required to emit sounds of 175 decibels—a level louder than a jet engine. For context, the National Hearing Conservation Association warns that sounds of 140 decibels can cause permanent damage via National Hearing Conservation Association.
Other high-risk items include “ferret rounds,” of which CBP plans to purchase over 12,000. These projectiles are designed to punch through barriers—such as glass or particle board—to spread chemicals on the other side. Dr. Rohini Haar, an emergency physician and researcher of less lethal ordnance, notes the inherent danger of such tools, stating that if a projectile can penetrate a wall, it can penetrate a human body.
Further concerns surround “scattershot” projectiles and rubber-ball grenades, which release bursts of small rubber fragments akin to shrapnel. Researcher Scott Reynhout has highlighted the danger of these “rubber buckshot” weapons, noting their use by security forces in other nations has resulted in hundreds of cases of partial or full blindness.
“When there’s so many different kinds, it makes you question, tactically, what’s the goal there?”
Tactical Goals and Training Gaps
The sheer variety of the 123 different munitions types has led experts to question the tactical objective of the procurement. Dr. Haar emphasized that each weapon carries different technical specifications and requires specific training to avoid causing severe injury. For example, handheld grenades must be thrown to avoid hitting targets in the head, while launcher-fired munitions require the operator to maintain a much greater distance from the target.
The potential for misuse is not theoretical. Reports have documented severe injuries resulting from similar munitions, including a protester who lost sight in one eye after being shot in the face by a federal officer, and another who required surgery and had their jaw wired shut for six weeks after being hit by a foam projectile.
Despite these documented risks and the complexity of the arsenal, neither U.S. Customs and Border Protection nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the procurement strategy or the training protocols intended to mitigate the risk of permanent injury to the public.
Summary of CBP Munitions Procurement
| Munition Category | Projected Quantity | Primary Risk/Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-Delivered Pyrotechnic Canisters | 242,000+ | Chemical exposure/burns |
| Impact Munitions (Launcher-fired) | 100,000+ | Blunt force trauma/maiming |
| Distraction Devices | 13,000 | Hearing loss (175 decibels) |
| Ferret Rounds | 12,000+ | Barrier penetration/chemical spread |
As the procurement process continues, the focus remains on whether the acquisition of such a diverse and potent arsenal aligns with public safety mandates or increases the risk of indiscriminate harm during civil unrest. The next phase of the procurement will involve the selection of a vendor capable of meeting these vast quantity and variety requirements.
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