U.S. Customs and Border Protection is preparing to acquire a massive arsenal of chemical grenades, sprays, and projectiles, according to procurement materials that detail a spending plan of up to $50 million. The acquisition of these DHS less lethal chemical weapons comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the use of similar munitions during federal law enforcement operations on American streets.
The agency is seeking a vendor capable of supplying 123 different types of munitions across 10 distinct categories. This vast variety of equipment—ranging from handheld canisters to launcher-fired projectiles—has raised concerns among medical professionals and human rights researchers regarding the tactical necessity of such a broad inventory and the feasibility of training agents to use them safely.
The procurement documents indicate a strategy of stockpiling high volumes of chemical agents and impact weapons. Neither Customs and Border Protection nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the scale of the purchase or the intended deployment of the munitions.
The Chemical Arsenal: CS and OC Agents
A central component of the shopping list is the acquisition of two primary chemical agents: chlorobenzalmalononitrile, known as CS, and oleoresin capsicum, or OC, which is derived from chili peppers. While CS was previously utilized by the U.S. During the Vietnam War, it is currently banned for military use, though it remains a staple of domestic law enforcement crowd control.
The procurement includes specialized delivery systems designed for indiscriminate dispersal. Among these are thermal “foggers”—devices that create mists of microscopic liquid droplets. Some high-capacity fogger generators are capable of outputting 100,000 cubic feet of tear gas in just 26 seconds, allowing agents to saturate large areas rapidly.
Medical researchers warn that the effects of these chemicals extend beyond immediate pain. A 2023 study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found a significant association between exposure to chemical agents and adverse reproductive health outcomes, including uterine cramping and menstrual irregularities.
Scale of Procurement and Specialized Munitions
The sheer volume of the order suggests a long-term stockpiling effort. The agency projects the purchase of more than 242,000 hand-delivered pyrotechnic canisters and over 100,000 impact munitions fired from grenade-style launchers. The latter include foam-tipped “sponge cartridges” designed to either deliver chemical agents upon impact or disable a target through blunt force.
| Munition Category | Projected Quantity | Primary Specification/Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pyrotechnic Canisters | 242,000+ | Hand-delivered delivery |
| Impact Munitions | 100,000+ | Launcher-fired sponge cartridges |
| Distraction Devices | 13,000 | 175-decibel acoustic output |
| Ferret Rounds | 12,000+ | Wall-piercing chemical delivery |
Beyond standard tear gas, the list includes “ferret rounds”—projectiles specifically designed to punch through glass, particle board, and walls to deliver chemicals inside a building. Experts note that any projectile capable of piercing structural barriers poses a severe risk of penetrating the human body.
Acoustic and Kinetic Risks
The procurement also includes 13,000 “distraction devices” designed to stun targets with intense light, and sound. These devices are required to emit sounds of 175 decibels, a level that exceeds the noise of a jet engine. According to the National Hearing Conservation Association, permanent hearing damage can occur at 140 decibels, while the “death of hearing tissue” begins around 180 decibels.
Further concerns have been raised regarding “scattershot” projectiles and rubber-ball grenades. These weapons release a burst of small rubber fragments upon detonation, acting similarly to shrapnel. Researchers from Physicians for Human Rights have pointed to the use of similar weapons by security forces in Chile and Iran, where they have resulted in hundreds of cases of partial or full blindness.
The Human Cost of ‘Less Lethal’ Force
While categorized as “less lethal,” these weapons can cause permanent disability or death if deployed at close range. Documentation of such injuries is increasing; for instance, an anti-ICE demonstrator named Kaden Rummler lost sight in his left eye after being shot in the face by a federal officer. In another incident, a protester struck by a foam projectile required surgery and had their jaw wired shut for six weeks.
“When there’s so many different kinds, it makes you question, tactically, what’s the goal there?”
Rohini Haar, an emergency physician and researcher of less lethal ordnance, has questioned the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to adequately train agents on such a diverse array of tools. Each munition carries different technical specifications; for example, the distance required for a launcher-fired round differs significantly from the safety perimeter needed for a handheld grenade.
The acquisition of these tools follows a period of increased use of chemical munitions during immigration enforcement actions and protests. The continued expansion of this arsenal suggests that the agency intends to maintain a high capacity for chemical and kinetic crowd control in future operations.
Note: This article discusses the use of chemical agents and kinetic weapons. For information on the health effects of chemical exposure, please consult a medical professional or public health authority.
The next phase of this procurement process will involve the selection of a vendor to fulfill the contract. Official updates regarding the contract award and the subsequent deployment of these munitions are expected to be posted via the federal procurement portal.
We invite readers to share this report and join the conversation in the comments section below.
