The use of Specialty Impact Munitions (SIMs) should never be a knee-jerk response in the face of the need for Use of Force. An agency that deploys Less Lethal munitions from any platform should develop a comprehensive policy that embraces officer safety, training, qualification and Use of Force as it applies to the particular platform and munitions available. Specialty Impact Munitions should only be available to Officers properly trained in their use. Lightfield recommends the use of dedicated shotguns (by color) as an additional precaution.

Less Lethal munitions deployed from the 12 ga platform are in some ways very similar to other common impact weapons such as expandable baton, punches and kicks. The 12 ga. platform economically provides the additional advantage of increased stand-off distance and measured delivery of force. Any time an Officer closes with a subject to use an baton or other means, they bear the risk of serious personal injury or disarming by the subject. There is also no reliable measure of how much energy was used in a given baton strike or punch. Regardless of the Officers physical stature or ability, munitions fired from the 12 ga platform will deliver a predictable level of force.