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Sponge grenade

A sponge grenade is a riot control weapon, intended to be non-lethal, which is fired from a 40 mm grenade launcher to cause confusion, or otherwise temporarily disable its target. As a single blunt force object, it is best used when aimed at a particular individual.

The projectile weighs about 28 grams (0.99 ounces). It is bullet-shaped, with a foam rubber nose and a high-density, plastic projectile body.

Potential for injury or death

Proper use of the weapons involves firing it from a medium distance, and aiming for the legs or lower torso. Firing it too close, or firing it too far away which decreases the ability to accurately aim for the legs or lower torso, can cause serious injury.

Improper use of sponge grenades can cause broken bones, head wounds, or permanent damage to eyes. Sponge grenades impacting the upper body or head might have killed targeted individuals.

Use around the world

Israel

Israel has deployed sponge grenades against Palestinian protesters on several occasions, but the grenades were also used against Israeli demonstrators as well, for example, in Israeli Ethiopians protests.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Police Force has deployed sponge grenades as a riot control tool on several occasions in July 2019 during the anti-extradition protests.

New Zealand

During the fourth week of the 2022 Wellington protests against COVID-19 pandemic safety measures, the New Zealand Police deployed sponge grenades as one of the many tools used in their effort to clear the parliamentary grounds of rioters.

United States

Sponge grenades were used by some police departments during the George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020 and were cited as being one of the most common types of less-lethal rounds employed. In some cases, protesters were hit in the head or face with the rounds, causing serious injury. Police shot journalist Linda Tirado in the face with a sponge grenade, permanently blinding her in one eye; she entered hospice care four years later due to the traumatic brain injury.