Pellet guns

The government is planning to reconsider the use of pellet guns by security forces in controlling crowds in Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday. Forces are said to be using them since 2010. The government decision follows widespread condemnation of their use as it is causing multiple casualties and serious eye injuries.

Reuter reports over 280 people had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the death of a separatist militant. Seven died of injuries since 2010, the report quoted the Minister as saying. Amnesty International has also slammed the government and asked it to prohibit the use of pellet-firing shotguns during street demonstrations, saying that police should look for "less harmful" devices.

Made of lead, pellets can damage soft tissues of skin, eyes etc. A cartridge may have hundreds of pellets. When fired, they emerge in large numbers and are not directional. An air gun (often called pellet gun or BB gun depending on the projectile) is any variety of pneumatic weapon that propels projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to firearms, which use a propellant charge.

The difference between BB's and Pellets are BB's are Round balls (that's what she said) where as pellets are a curvy metal ammo. These guns could be discharged in wet weather and rain, and repeatedly discharged faster than muzzle-loading guns. Moreover, they were quieter than a firearm of similar caliber, had no muzzle flash, and were smokeless. Thus, they did not disclose the shooter's position or obscure the shooter's view, unlike the black powder muskets of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The most popular ammunition used in rifled air guns is the lead diabolo pellet. This waisted projectile is hollowed at the base and available in a variety of head styles. The diabolo pellet is designed to be drag stabilized, though is not as stable as some other shapes in the transonic region (272–408 m/s ~ 893–1340 ft/s). Pellets are also manufactured from tin, or a combination of materials such as steel-tipped plastic. Most air guns are .177 (4.5 mm) or .22 (5.5 mm / 5.6 mm) caliber, and are designed for target practice, small game hunting and field target shooting.