Growth forecast for non-lethal weapons WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) -- The global market for non-lethal weapons is forecast for growth as a result of lessons learned from civil unrest over the last decade. Homeland Security Research Corp, in its "Non-Lethal Weapons: Technologies and Global Market -- 2012-2020" report, said the non-lethal weapons market will grow from $1.4 billion in 2011 to $2.4 billion by 2012. Growth after that is forecast at 17 percent. The report forecasts that the global non-lethal weapons market is expected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2011 to $2.4 billion by 2016 with a 17 percent compounded annual growth rate after that. "In cases of violent conflicts, the use of non-lethal weapons provides a set of moderate options that fall between the use of psychological means and the use of lethal force," said Dan Inbar, the report's lead analyst. Non-lethal weapons provide a valuable alternative for law enforcement and military commanders to use less lethal means between the other options of "shout or shoot." The overall report details 61 sub-markets. "There is a growing demand from combatant commanders, law enforcement officers and political establishments for non-lethal weapons capabilities," the company said. This demand is driven by the need to help them win the hearts and minds of the non-combatant population and prevent world outcry and media attention resulting from non-combatant casualties. As a result, many governments, led by the (United States) entered into non-lethal weapons R&D and procurement, dedicated to the full spectrum of public safety, law enforcement, crowd control and asymmetric warfare.