37 mm flare
37 mm flare or "1.5 inch" caliber is the specification for a common launching system for non-lethal and less-lethal ammunition. Such launchers are also often known as "gas guns" due to their original use by police for launching tear gas projectiles. 37 mm systems are typically smoothbore as rifling is unnecessary or even detrimental to the performance of the usual projectiles.
37 mm rounds can be fired from a variety of devices, including standalone launchers, and
United States legality
In the United States, 37 mm launchers are exempted from the
- flares
- smoke rounds, to include irritating "smoke" such as CS or OC agents
- noise effect ("bird bomb") rounds
Where anti-personnel rounds are to be fired from a 37 mm launcher, the launcher must be registered with the
ATF Ruling 95-3:
37/38 mm gas/flare guns possessed with cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, or bean bags are classified as destructive devices for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Rounds that are considered anti-personnel include:
Less-lethal rounds:
- rounds loaded with rubber pellets
- rounds loaded with plastic or wooden batons
- "bean bag" rounds consisting of a cloth bag filled with lead pellets
Lethal rounds:
Such rounds are not considered destructive devices, but are not readily available to non-government purchasers.
A round containing an explosive payload of over 0.25 ounces (7.1 g) would itself be classified as a destructive device, requiring BATFE registration.
A personally constructed (D.I.Y) 37mm launcher may be made at home (see
See also
- 40 mm grenade
- Riot gun
- Title II weapons
External links
References
- ^ "TFB reader makes 37mm launcher at home". Thefirearmsblog. 2022-03-04.