The sheriff of a Texas county said he is buying pepper ball and tear gas launcher rifles to deter migrants from entering the country through the territory.
Concretely, Brad Coe had his request accepted by Kinney County commissioners and will use the weapons "in the event that something happens like what happened in El Paso." He was likely making reference to two separate events in the area earlier this year, where hundreds of migrants rushed ports of entry in hopes of overpowering National Guard stationed there and entering the country.
The latest case took place in late March, when authorities arrested over 200 migrants and accused them of being involved in the gate rush.
The local district attorney, Bill Hicks, said that Texas National Guard members were injured in the incident. He recalled that nine migrants cut through barbed wire and assaulted the National Guard members before more than 400 migrants rushed the gate before reaching another fence. Seven of the nine people involved in the wire-cutting have been indicted on felony charges or rioting and assaulting a public servant.
According to the Texas Observer, he said the department might use the guns in other scenarios as well. "There's a couple of upcoming elections, if there's some type of incident, or if they try to storm the point of entry, or if they try to come across ... we can assist," Coe said. "Hopefully, we will never have to use them, but we will have them just in case."
With the purchase, the county sheriff is following the steps of the state's National Guard, which began using pepper balls in May. Migrants in Mexico interviewed by The Texas Tribune stated being hit by such ammo, which causes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
The outlet explained that the weapons are powered by a carbon dioxide cartridge and holds about 180 rounds. Authorities seek that all National Guard members are eventually trained to use them.
"We've had some instances where we have caught migrants or members of the cartel cutting the c-wire and trying to send people through," said Spc. Aiden Hogan in a YouTube video where Texas explains the rationale behind its decision. "We've been able to send them back with deploying the pepper ball launcher."
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