Amy Goodman: The ghost of Dred Scott haunts the streets of Ferguson (She doesn't disappoint)

The Monterey Herald ^ | August 22, 2014 | Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan

[wildbill]

‘rubber coated steel bullets’???

Anyone have a handle on the composition of rubber bullets? It seems to me that a steel interior core would rip right through a ‘coating’ of rubber.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Rubber bullets (also called rubber baton rounds) are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns. They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles. Like other similar projectiles made from plastic, wax, and wood, rubber bullets may be used for short range practice and animal control, but are most commonly associated with use in riot control and to disperse protests.[1][2][3] These types of projectiles are sometimes called baton rounds.[4] Rubber projectiles have largely been replaced by other materials as rubber tends to bounce uncontrollably.[5]

Such “kinetic impact munitions” are meant to cause pain but not serious injury. They are expected to produce contusions, abrasions, and hematomas.[6] However, they may cause bone fractures, injuries to internal organs, or death. In a study of injuries in 90 patients injured by rubber bullets, one died, 17 suffered permanent disabilities or deformities and 41 required hospital treatment after being fired upon with rubber bullets.[7]

Rubber bullets were invented by the British Ministry of Defence for use against rioters in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.[8] They were first used in 1970 in Northern Ireland.[9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_bullet