to being used inappropriately as a pain compliance tool, particularly when used as a lever to pull or twist, potentially causing serious and long-term wrist, forearm or shoulder injuries. As such, when the use of metal handcuffs is required, preference should be given to the use of double-locking chain-link handcuffs over ridged or hinged handcuffs. Alongside conventional restraints such as handcuffs and leg cuffs, previous Omega research has highlighted the international manufacture and trade of inherently abusive forms of restraints, including thumb and finger cuffs, restraint chairs and shackle boards, cage or net beds, and fixed bar restraints90. All of these types of restraints can cause unnecessary pain and injury. As such, they are inappropriate for use by law enforcement regardless of the context and should be strictly prohibited. Omega has identified four Brazilian companies involved in the manufacture of restraints, namely, Belica Militar, Rossi, Algemas Brasil, and Algemas Zorro. While three of these companies (Belica Militar, Rossi, and Algemas Brasil) appear only to manufacture conventional restraints such as handcuffs or leg cuffs, the fourth (Algemas Zorro) produces a much wider range of restraints, including thumb cuffs which are inherently abusive and should be prohibited91. During our research Omega has found no evidence of Brazilian companies manufacturing ▲ Thumb cuffs manufactured by Algemas Zorro promoted for sale online © Falcon Armas restraint chairs, net or cage beds, weighted restraints or fixed bar restraints. 3.1.6 Firearms Firearms loaded with live ammunition are by their very nature designed to kill. Nevertheless, when selecting firearms for use by law enforcement, there are a number of factors which should be taken into consideration and tested in order to reduce the risk of unnecessary or accidental deaths. Key features of a firearms design which should be considered during its testing and selection include the weapon’s accuracy, consistency and reliability. When selecting firearms, due consideration should also be given to the appropriateness of the weapon’s calibre and firing mode (e.g. automatic, semi-automatic) for the context in which it will likely be deployed and whether a less-powerful firearm or less lethal alternative could be used to achieve the same operational objective. Except in extreme circumstances, automatic firearms are not appropriate for law enforcement operations. Omega’s records and research carried out for this report identified four major companies involved in the manufacture of small arms and ammunition for law enforcement in Brazil: Taurus who specialize in the production of pistols and shotguns; CBC who produce shotguns and are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of small arms ammunition; Boito who primarily manufacture shotguns; and the state-owned IMBEL who manufacture small arms and ammunition among a much broader range of conventional weaponry. Over the past decade, the importance of implementing rigorous and scientific testing of firearms prior to ▲ Hinged handcuffs and chain-linked leg cuffs photographed by the MNCPT during a monitoring visit, 2017 © MNCPT 36  procurement has been demonstrated by a series of problems encountered by the Sao Paulo state police with firearms supplied by Taurus. Firstly, in 2013, the Sao Paulo Military Police were forced to recall all 98,000 Taurus 37