Pepper Gun Market Heats Up

Security With Advanced Technology (SWAT), a manufacturer of "nonlethal" weapons is advertising a hand-held device -- roughly similar to a PepperBall Gun -- that shoots projectiles meant to leave an attacker (temporarily) blind and choking. And it's on sale for individual consumers beginning in August:

* The Avurt IM-5 launcher is a small, handheld device that launches up to five PAVA filled projectiles at attackers up to 40 feet away. It's safe, easy to use, and highly effective at disabling attackers before they get close enough to do harm. The IM-5 launcher's PAVA filled projectiles are non-lethal, but will leave an attacker choking and temporarily blinded, allowing a victim can escape to safety. It protects from greater distances than Mace(TM) or aerosol pepper sprays, and it doesn't have the potential to be lethal the way firearms or stun guns do. *

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SWAT is already engaged in a market battle with rival PepperBall. Earlier this month, SWAT appeared to get a leg up in that battle by buying a key supplier to Pepperball:

The Westminster-based SWAT (NASDAQ: SWAT) announced July 13 that a subsidiary had closed on the purchase of Perfect Circle LLC's projectiles unit. The acquired unit, based in Lake Forest, Ill., makes powder-filled, circular projectiles for use in air-powered launchers.

*SWAT's purchase of the business gives it ownership of rival PepperBall Technologies Inc.'s main supplier of non-lethal projectiles, SWAT's announcement indicated. *

Earlier this year, PepperBall sued Swat over alleged patent infringement and related issues.