Posted: Sep 25, 2012 2:47 PM
HOUSTON - A new "less-than-lethal" weapon, already in use in Europe, is starting to gain traction with Texas law enforcement agencies.
The JPX Cobra 450 shoots a stream of pepper agent at 405 mph. It is touted as being more accurate and more reliable than the typical pepper spray officers use now.
The cobra model for law enforcement agencies includes a laser sight and is effective up to about 23 feet away from the intended target.
The officer is supposed to aim the weapon at the target's face. The result is a red stream of liquid that seconds after making contact produces a severe burning sensation. The idea is to temporarily incapacitate a suspect long enough to cuff him and put him in a patrol car.
According to Ron Teeters, president of TEAM Products, the pepper agent from JPX Cobra 450 is twice as powerful as typical "oc" (pepper) spray. The effects wear off in 30 to 45 minutes.
"Its gonna hit you in the face and its gonna stun you and about two to three seconds later the oc is gonna actually kick in," Teeters said.
TEAM Products, based in Huntsville, Texas, is the exclusive distributor of the weapon in the United States
The weapon is also available to the general public, although the consumer version lacks a laser-sight and is slightly less powerful.
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