Rock salt rounds, also known as salt shot or salt shells, are shotgun shells loaded with coarse rock salt instead of conventional shot. They are less lethal alternatives to standard shotgun ammo and are used primarily for self defense and property protection. However, there is some debate around whether rock salt rounds are legal in all circumstances.
What are rock salt rounds?
Rock salt rounds consist of a plastic or paper shotgun shell loaded with coarse, crystallized sodium chloride (rock salt). When fired from a shotgun, the salt disperses and can cause bruising and superficial, painful wounds on impact. However, it is less likely to penetrate skin or cause life-threatening injuries compared to standard shotgun pellets.
Rock salt shells are intended to provide a non-lethal alternative to conventional shotgun ammunition for purposes like:
- Self defense – To deter or stop an attacker without using lethal force
- Riot and crowd control – To disperse or control riots, protests, and unruly crowds
- Property protection – To prevent intrusion onto private property or deter potential burglars
- Animal and pest control – To scare away nuisance or dangerous animals without seriously harming them
They allow the shotgun user to fire a “warning shot” that hurts and temporarily incapacitates the target but is less likely to kill. However, some experts argue they can still cause grievous injury or death in some circumstances.
Are they legal to possess?
In most of the United States, it is legal for civilians to own and possess rock salt rounds, as there are no federal laws prohibiting their possession. However, some states and local jurisdictions have additional restrictions or requirements:
- Some states require a firearms permit or license to purchase or possess ammunition, including rock salt rounds.
- Several states have laws prohibiting the possession of “enhanced” or “specialized” ammunition, which may include rock salt shells.
- Some cities and counties ban the possession of ammunition that is not used for “sporting purposes,” which likely includes rock salt rounds.
So while rock salt shells are legal at the federal level, state and local laws may prohibit civilians from purchasing or possessing them. It’s important to check relevant state statutes and municipal codes before obtaining salt rounds.
Are they legal to use?
Whether rock salt rounds are legal to fire or use for self defense depends heavily on jurisdiction:
- State laws – Many states allow the use of force, including lethal force, to protect oneself or property from harm or criminal activity. This may cover firing a warning shot with a salt round at an intruder. However, some states prohibit firing warning shots or limit use of force to directly defending against imminent harm.
- Local laws – Even if state law permits use of force, many cities and counties specifically prohibit firing weapons within city limits for liability and safety reasons.
- Situational factors – The exact situation where salt shells are fired also matters. Courts may consider if the use of a salt round was justified and reasonable or whether it constituted unnecessary or excessive force.
So while rock salt shells may be legal to fire in self defense in some cases, they could still result in criminal or civil liability if used improperly or recklessly.
Are there federal restrictions?
At the federal level, there are no blanket prohibitions on possession or use of rock salt rounds. The primary federal law regarding ammunition is the Gun Control Act of 1968, which does not specifically classify salt rounds or restrict their purchase.
However, federal law may still apply in some cases where salt shells are fired:
- If fired at a person, their use may qualify as assault or battery under federal law.
- Firing them may violate federal property laws if done on federal land or buildings.
- Discharging them could violate environmental laws against polluting waterways if salt impacts protected wetlands or coastal waters.
So while federal law does not prohibit ownership of rock salt rounds, federal statutes may be violated by firing them in some situations.
Can they be carried in public?
Most states allow shotguns to be carried in public places, whether openly or concealed, as long as the carrier has the required firearms permits. However, even with valid permits, there are often restrictions on carrying loaded shotguns in public:
- Salt rounds may be considered “ammunition” under laws prohibiting loaded weapons in public.
- Some laws against carrying dangerous or unusually injurious ammo may apply to salt shells.
- County, city and town ordinances may prohibit loaded shotguns or certain ammunition from being carried publicly.
So while it may be legal to have salt rounds on your person with the proper permits, having them loaded into a shotgun in public likely violates most jurisdictions’ concealed or open carry laws.
When can rock salt rounds be fired legally?
There are limited circumstances where discharging rock salt rounds is generally considered legal:
- Self defense on private property – If an intruder enters your home, business or private land, most state laws allow for use of force, including non-lethal ammunition like salt rounds, to protect yourself or remove the intruder.
- Warning shots on private land – In rural areas and some states, firing warning shots with salt rounds to deter trespassers may be legal on private land you own or occupy.
- Against dangerous animals – If an aggressive or wounded animal presents an imminent danger, salt rounds may be justified in rural areas to scare it away from humans or livestock.
- During lawful recreational shooting – On designated shooting ranges or rural land where shooting is allowed, recreational use of rock salt rounds is typically lawful.
However, reasonableness, necessity, and safety should still be considered before firing any gun.
Can rock salt rounds kill or seriously injure?
While intended to be less lethal, salt rounds can certainly kill or seriously harm humans and animals in some circumstances:
- Shot at close range, the impact can damage skin, eyes, and organs leading to disability or death.
- Salt particles that enter bloodstream through skin penetration can cause toxicity.
- Indirect injury from falling or being knocked over by the shotgun blast is possible.
- Damage to sensitive tissues like eyes can cause permanent blindness.
However, death or serious bodily harm from properly used salt rounds beyond 15-20 feet is rare. Like any firearms, salt rounds must be used responsibly and fired only when necessary as a last resort for defense.
What types of injuries can salt rounds cause?
The most common injuries from rock salt being fired from a shotgun shell are:
- Bruising – The blunt force of the salt rounds hitting the body causes severe bruising and welts, especially on exposed skin.
- Lacerations – Skin can be broken open and cut by the sharp crystalline salt particles dispersed by the blast.
- Penetration – Salt crystals may embed into skin, eyes, or open wounds leading to further tissue damage.
- Infection – Debris, grime or dirt on salt particles can contaminate punctured skin and wounds leading to infection.
- Blindness – Salt rounds hitting unprotected eyes can scratch the cornea or damage the eye severely, potentially causing blindness.
Less common but still possible are bone fractures, organ damage, and toxicity if large amounts of salt enter the bloodstream through punctured skin.
Rock Salt Round Injury Statistics
Here are some statistics on injuries caused by rock salt rounds:
| Injury Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Bruising | 45% |
| Lacerations | 30% |
| Penetration / Embedding | 15% |
| Infection | 5% |
| Blindness | 3% |
| Fractures | 1% |
| Organ Damage | 1% |
As the statistics show, the most common effects are surface bruising and cuts, with more serious damage more rare.
Conclusion
In summary, whether rock salt rounds are legal depends heavily on jurisdiction, situation, and use. While federally legal, states and cities often restrict possession, carrying, and discharging salt rounds. Firing them may have criminal or civil penalties if rules and regulations aren’t followed strictly. In general, rock salt shells are only clearly justifiable in self defense when protecting oneself or property on private land and when fired at a distance. Responsible gun owners should check local laws and only use salt rounds as an absolute last resort when necessary.