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#The airbag for a BULLET: Ping pong ball-style cushion can be attached to any gun to slow down shots and prevent fatal injuries Fatal shootings by police and other law enforcement agencies could soon be avoided thanks to a device that acts like an'airbag'for a bullet.''The Alternative'device looks like a metal ping pong ball and can be attached to the barrel of any gun. The idea is that the ball breaks off when a bullet is fired and melds with the shot, effectively slowing it down to result in less injury. Scroll down for video It is hoped the'airbag for a bullet'could reduce the number of civilians killed by police officers in potentially lethal situations. The device, designed by Alternative Ballistics in San diego, California, takes the form of a metal ball or'bullet capture device'fitted over the barrel of a gun. Once the gun is fired the bullet embeds itself inside the device without a chance of it escaping. The bullet's energy is transferred simultaneously to the alloy ball, propelling it towards the target.''The Alternative'works like an'airbag for a bullet',slowing it down to one fifth of its intended speed. When the device with the bullet inside hits a targeted person, it still causes serious pain, but less injury to a body than a conventional bullet. In this way, it is'less lethal'than a regular bullet and is designed to incapacitate a target without piercing the skin. If the gun is fired again, a regular bullet will be fired. The company said the technology represents a critical'missing link'between lethal force and less-lethal force.''By utilising our bullet capture technology in appropriate situations, police are likely to prevent loss of life in a way that was until now not possible, 'the firm said. Alternative Ballistics CEO Christian Ellis told San diego ABC 10 News:''Just like an airbag, a certain amount of people will die when they get into an impact and the air bag hits their chest.''There is a chance they could die with this but it does mitigate the risk of death tremendously.''Alternative Ballistics'technology has not yet been trialled on humans, but it has succesfully been tested on foam, gel and leather. Mailonline has asked Alternative Ballistics for more information. a

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