Law enforcement agencies typically utilize 12-gauge shotguns loaded with a variety of specialized ammunition. Common types include buckshot, which contains multiple large pellets for close-range engagements, and slugs, which are single projectiles offering greater range and penetration. Less-lethal options, such as beanbag rounds and rubber projectiles, are also employed in specific situations requiring less force.
The selection of specific ammunition types is dictated by the need to balance effectiveness with public safety. Buckshot, while effective at incapacitating threats at close range, carries a risk of overpenetration and collateral damage. Slugs offer improved accuracy and stopping power at longer distances but require greater precision. Less-lethal options provide alternatives for crowd control and situations where deadly force is not warranted. The history of law enforcement shotgun ammunition reflects an ongoing evolution toward more specialized and less-lethal tools.