When law enforcement officers encounter forced entry into a building or room, seconds can be the difference between life and death. Engineers in the national security program at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory have developed a firearm that can give officers valuable seconds.
The Idaho Integrated Breaching Shotgun combines into a single weapon a shotgun for destroying door hinges or locks during a rapid, forced entry with the traditional automatic rifle for returning gunfire. Instead of an officer having to switch weapons during entry or having one officer breach a door and step away as another rushes through - losing valuable seconds - the Integrated Breaching Shotgun gives an officer split-second use of either weapon.
The Breaching Shotgun also gives officers the option of carrying a combination lethal/nonlethal weapon. The shotgun can fire nonlethal cartridges, such as beanbags or salt.
Engineers designed the breaching shotgun to fit under the barrel of the rifle. They made several modifications to the shotgun's operation so officers can use either weapon without repositioning their hands to reach the triggers. Also, they redesigned the shotgun to deliver more energy from the shell as it exits the barrel, making the shotgun more effective for forced entries.
The DOE's Office of Intelligence's Applied Technology Program approached the INEEL for assistance in developing this unique weapon for a federal law enforcement agency. The DOE program matches technology needs in the federal arena with researchers within the national laboratory system.
An INEEL National Security group tackled the project. Working with law enforcement agencies, the team developed a prototype model in just four months. The model is now being demonstrated for other law enforcement agencies.
The INEEL is applying for five patents related to the Integrated Breaching Shotgun, has submitted the technology for the prestigious R&D 100 Award national competition, and has started discussions with a gun manufacturer interested in producing and marketing the firearm.
Contact: Kathy Gatens 208-526-1058