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The results of analysis of the data presented in the special literature and normative legal documentation indicate that the forensic medical aspects of the injuries inflicted by gunshots of limited-lethality weapons either need to be clarified or remain virtually unexplored. There is the long overdue necessity to consolidate efforts of forensic medical experts and specialists from other agencies and institutions for the comprehensive solution of the problems related to the injury prevention characteristics of limited-lethality weapons and participation in the interdepartmental activities for the improvement of the legislation regulating weapon trafficking.

A case of causing a lethal injury from the PB-4 self-defense pistol (traumatic action bullets) is described. An issue of the relation between notions "a non-lethal gun" and "special-purpose weapon" are under discussion.

The article cites the concept, basic standards and principles of international humane law concerning the banning or restriction of some types of conventional weapons. The authors describe international methods for appreciation of destructive effects of wounding missiles. On the basis of literature and their own experiments the authors make a conclusion that actually it would be impossible to formulate a straight definition between "human" and "inhumane" bullets, as well as to establish a criterion which could determine the admissible or inadmissible limits for gunshot injuries.