Launchers 6.3 HAND-HELD LAUNCHERS Key Technical Features The design of hand-held launchers varies, and they can be single-, double-barrel or multi-shot launchers. These launchers allow for individual or sequential firing of kinetic impact projectiles or chemical irritants, resulting in rapid fire or bursts of fire. These launchers can be inaccurate and affected by weather conditions, increasing the risk of head and upper body injury. Human Rights Concerns When multi-shot launchers are used in automatic fire mode, they are particularly inaccurate, and it is difficult to accurately target an individual. If these weapons are fired at close-range, they can cause severe injury or death. Statements and Standards from Human Rights Bodies Examples of Existing Controls To the best of Omega’s knowledge, there are no statements or standards from human rights bodies on this specific type of equipment, but standards on the use of kinetic impact projectiles and chemical irritants more generally apply. Some national export control regimes include these weapons on their list of equipment that requires an export licence. As some states class these weapons as 'civilian' or 'policing' rather than 'military', they are not always adequately controlled and reported. The EU may prohibit the export of these weapons under its sanction regime when the objective of the sanctions is to prevent the export of weapons that might be used for internal repression in the destination state. Manufacture should be controlled. Proposed Control Trade and transfer should be controlled. Use should conform with international human rights standards. 109