Pima County Board Of Supervisors Condemns Use of Rubber Bullets

TUCSON, AZ — As law enforcement continues to clash with protestors around the country, the Pima County Board of Supervisors has taken a stance against the use of rubber bullets against civilians. The board signed a resolution Monday condemning law enforcement's use of the non-lethal method.

The resolution signed Monday was only a condemnation of law enforcement's use of rubber bullets. It does not prevent, ban or prohibit the use its use. The resolution specifically noted the American Academy of Ophthalmology's June calls to end the use of the non-lethal weapon because rubber bullets have been shown to cause serious eye injuries or, in some cases, blindness.

"Following numerous serious injuries in the past two weeks, the American Academy of Ophthalmology calls on domestic law enforcement officials to immediately end the use of rubber bullets to control or disperse crowds of protesters," the Academy said in its statement. "The Academy asks physicians, public health officials and the public to condemn this practice."

The Pima County Board of Health oversees the Board of Supervisors and recommended the body condemn the use of rubber bullets in all cases of law enforcement activities in the county.

The resolution stated that "all people in the U.S. have the right to speak and protest in public gatherings about issues that are important to them without fear of law enforcement actions that could seriously injure them or even cost them their vision."

Protests broke out across Arizona in cities like Phoenix and Tucson following the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.