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{{Infobox weapon
|name= FN 303
|image= [[File:FN303.tif|border|300px]]
|caption= A FN 303 anti-riot gun.
|origin= Belgium
|type= [[Riot gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged= yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by= See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
|wars=[[War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)]]<ref name="specopstech">{{cite web |url=http://www.special-operations-technology.com/sotech-archives/58-sotech-2008-volume-6-issue-6/435-peacekeeping-and-policing.html |title=Peacekeeping and Policing |publisher=Special-operations-technology.com |access-date=2012-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229202512/http://www.special-operations-technology.com/sotech-archives/58-sotech-2008-volume-6-issue-6/435-peacekeeping-and-policing.html |archive-date=2012-02-29 }}</ref><br />[[Iraq War]]<ref name="specopstech"/><br />[[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Revolution]]<ref name="lalibre2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.lalibre.be/actu/belgique/article/644419/kadhafi-va-s-adresser-au-peuple-libyen.html |title=Des images démontreraient la présence d'armes FN d'Herstal |publisher=Lalibre.be |date=2011-02-22 |access-date=2012-02-16}}</ref><br />[[2013 Lahad Datu standoff]] 
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= 
|design_date=
|manufacturer= [[FN Herstal]]
|unit_cost= 
|production_date= 2003–present<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id%3D655 |title=Major Product Achievements |access-date=2010-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927060025/http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=655 |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}</ref>
|number= 
|variants= 
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label= 
|weight= {{convert|2.3|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|740|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|part_length= {{convert|250|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|width= 
|height= 
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
|cartridge= 
|caliber= {{convert|17.3|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|action= [[Compressed air]]
|rate=
|velocity= {{convert|85|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
|range= {{convert|70|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}
|max_range=
|feed= 15-round detachable drum [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]]
|sights= Front blade, rear notch
}}

The '''FN 303''' is a [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] [[less-lethal weapon|less-lethal]] [[riot gun]] designed and manufactured by [[Fabrique Nationale de Herstal]].

The FN 303 uses compressed air to fire [[projectile]]s from a 15-round drum magazine. It is designed to incapacitate the target through [[blunt trauma]] without causing critical injuries, and is most widely used for [[riot control]] and other kinds of combat where lethal weapons should be avoided.

The 303 can be fired from the shoulder using adjustable [[iron sight]]s, or it can be mounted in an under-barrel configuration on most [[assault rifle]]s when its stock assembly is removed (in this configuration, it is designated ''M303''). It also comes with a top-mounted [[Picatinny rail]] that can fit most commercial weapon accessories, such as [[telescopic sight]]s, [[Laser applications#Laser sight|laser sight]]s and [[tactical light]]s. FN markets its own set of accessories for the launcher, including tactical vests, slings, carrying bags, and gas compressors. It is accurate at distances up to {{convert|35|m|yd}}.

FN also produce a pistol variant, the FN 303-P, in the same caliber, using a seven-round magazine with a self-contained gas cartridge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FN 303®-P |url=https://fnamerica.com/products/less-lethal/fn-303-p/ |access-date=2020-06-15 |publisher=FN |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
The FN 303 is based on a project by the Monterey Bay Corporation designated the XM303. The development team consisted of designers and researchers from two [[paintball]] related design and manufacturing firms, including [[Airgun Designs]]. The prototype was named the UBTPS, Under Barrel Tactical Paintball System.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gunfx.com/pages/nonlethal.html |title=U.T.P.B.S Under Barrel Tactical Paintball System |publisher=[[Gun F/X Tactical Development|Gun F/X]] |access-date=2012-06-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218100850/http://www.gunfx.com/pages/nonlethal.html |archive-date=2012-02-18 }}</ref>

The design could be attached to an [[M16 rifle]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://montereybaycorporation.com/Monterey%20Bay%20Corporation_files/303.html |title=Non-Lethal Weapon Measures of Effectiveness |publisher=Monterey Bay Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110112224/http://montereybaycorporation.com/Monterey%20Bay%20Corporation_files/303.html |archive-date=2009-11-10 }}</ref> and was conceived as a less-than-lethal weapon system coupled with a lethal weapon system, providing a wide range of response capabilities that were immediately available.  A stand-alone version was also developed.

The UBTPS also featured a rotating barrel magazine, allowing for a wide range of different projectiles to be available and selectable without the need to change magazines.

Also developed was a [[bismuth]]-weighted projectile to provide the necessary mass, allowing the UTPBS to achieve the engagement range requirements.

==Ammunition==
The FN 303 fires a spherical, fin-stabilized projectile.  According to FN, the fin-stabilized design provides greater accuracy than a standard [[paintball]] round.  The forward half of the sphere is a non-toxic granulated [[bismuth]] shell designed to fragment on impact to prevent penetration damage.  The rear half of the sphere contains one of several color-coded liquid payloads:

*'''Training/Impact''' (clear): non-toxic [[glycol]] base with no additives, used for training and when the impact sting is the preferred deterrent.
*'''Permanent paint''' (yellow): [[latex]]-based [[polymer]] paint used to mark suspects for later identification.
*'''Washable paint''' (pink): water-soluble [[fluorescence|fluorescent]] pink pigment in glycol base, similar to standard [[paintball]] filling, used to mark suspects short-term.
*'''Oleoresin capsicum''' (orange): glycol base mixed with 10% OC ([[pepper spray]]) at 5 million [[Scoville scale|SHU]], used to incapacitate targets.

The mass of the projectile is {{convert|8.5|g|gr|abbr=on}}, providing a muzzle energy of {{convert|31|J|ftlb|abbr=on}}.

==Safety==
In October 2004, in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Shooting of Victoria Snelgrove|Victoria Snelgrove]] was struck in the eye by an FN 303 round fired by a member of the [[Boston Police Department]] (BPD), leading to her death approximately 12 hours later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/pdfs/report.pdf |title=Commission Investigating the Death of Victoria Snelgrove |page=14 |date=May 25, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |website=cityofboston.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610210149/http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/pdfs/report.pdf |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |via=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref> An [[autopsy]] found that the pellet opened a three-quarter-inch (1.9&nbsp;cm) hole in the bone behind the eye, broke into nine pieces, and damaged the right side of her brain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46757370/in-snelgrove-files-officers-recount/ |title=In Snelgrove files, officers recount night of chaos |first1=Donovan |last1=Slack |first2=Suzanne |last2=Smalley |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=1 |date=September 21, 2005 |access-date=March 15, 2020 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Subsequent tests by the BPD indicated that the FN 303's accuracy "decreased significantly" after about 300 firings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46773402/crowd-control-guns-accuracy-is/ |title=Crowd-control gun's accuracy is questioned |first=Shelley |last=Murphy |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=17 |date=March 11, 2005 |access-date=March 15, 2020 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> This is circumstantially corroborated by testimony of the officer who fired the weapon, stating that he was aiming at a rioter throwing bottles and did not know that a bystander had been hit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46773502/crowd-control-guns-accuracy-questioned/ |title=Crowd-control gun's accuracy questioned (cont'd) |first=Shelley |last=Murphy |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=19 |date=March 11, 2005 |access-date=March 15, 2020 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> A $15 million [[wrongful death claim|wrongful death]] lawsuit against the City of Boston and [[FN Herstal]] was settled in July 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title= Snelgrove family settles lawsuit|url= http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/14/snelgrove_family_settles_lawsuit/ |date=2006-07-14 |author=Murphy, Shelley |access-date=2009-06-05 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref> In 2007, the BPD destroyed their remaining FN 303s, stating they were more powerful and lethal than had been anticipated.<ref>{{cite news|title=BPD: Pellet guns to be destroyed |url=http://media.www.berkeleybeacon.com/media/storage/paper169/news/2007/03/01/News/Bpd-Pellet.Guns.To.Be.Destroyed-2755628.shtml/ |date=2007-03-01 |author=Shea, Paddy |access-date=2009-06-05 |work=[[Berkeley Beacon]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822051610/http://media.www.berkeleybeacon.com/media/storage/paper169/news/2007/03/01/News/Bpd-Pellet.Guns.To.Be.Destroyed-2755628.shtml |archive-date=August 22, 2007 }}</ref>

During protests in front of the [[Arcelor]] building in [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg city]] on 11 May 2009, the weapon was used for the first time by local police. An [[RTL Group|RTL]] cameraman was hit in the hand, breaking one finger.<ref>{{cite news |title=ArcelorMittal: Siège am Viséier vun de Stolaarbechter |url=http://news.rtl.lu/news/national/18441.html |date=2009-05-11 |access-date=2009-05-20 |work=RTL.lu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515133739/http://news.rtl.lu/news/national/18441.html |archive-date=2009-05-15 }}</ref>

On 2 June 2013, during [[Gezi Park protests]] in [[Ankara]], [[Turkey]], a protester was wounded in the face by a "[[plastic bullet]]", later attributed to police use of the FN 303.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/27934674.asp |title=Emniyet: FN 303 kullandık |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr |date=2015-01-10 |access-date=2015-01-10 |language=tr |quote=Police Forces: We used FN 303}}</ref>

During [[Independence Day (Finland)|Independence Day]] demonstrations in Finland on 6 December 2015, police used FN 303 against counter-protesters, with one receiving eye injuries from projectile fragments.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luodista silmäänsä saanut: "Aivan varmasti osallistun seuraavaankin mielenosoitukseen"|url=http://www.kansanuutiset.fi/artikkeli/3475541-luodista-silmaansa-saanut-aivan-varmasti-osallistun-seuraavaankin-mielenosoitukseen|access-date=12 December 2015|agency=Kansan Uutiset}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1449428658950.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208172638/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1449428658950.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2015|title=Video: Poliisi käytti anarkisteja vastaan paineilma-asetta – tällainen on FN 303|date=6 December 2015|work=Iltasanomat|language=fi|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/a1449372082033|title=Poliisi epäilee yli 30 ihmistä rikoksista itsenäisyyspäivän mielenosoituksissa – kaikki kiinniotetut vapautettu|date=6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/poliisi_ampunut_mielenosoittajia_paineilma-aseella__yli_130_otettu_kiinni/8507915|title=Poliisi ampunut mielenosoittajia paineilma-aseella – yli 130 otettu kiinni|date=6 December 2015 }}</ref>

A 2019 study found that the performance of the FN 303 was significantly worse outside of a laboratory setting. Operational conditions were simulated by inducing physiological and psychological stress, and measuring salivary [[cortisol]]; accuracy and reported ease of use were both lower than that of the control group.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Taverniers|first1=John|last2=Suss|first2=Joel|date=2019-09-02|title=A user-centred assessment of a less-lethal launcher: the case of the FN 303® in a high-pressure setting|journal=Ergonomics|volume=62|issue=9|pages=1162–1174|doi=10.1080/00140139.2019.1626916|issn=0014-0139|pmid=31151364|s2cid=172137056}}</ref>

==Users==
[[File:FN 303 Users.png|thumb|A map with FN 303 users in blue]]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

*{{flag|Argentina}}: Used by the [[Buenos Aires City Police]]. 
*{{flag|Belgium}}: [[Federal Police Special Units|DSU]] counter-terrorism group,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moustique.be/actu-societe/17197/sur-le-terrain-avec-lunite-speciale |title=Sur le terrain avec l'unité spéciale - Actu-Société - Moustique |publisher=Moustique.be |date=2011-05-24 |access-date=2012-02-16 |archive-date=2011-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814093246/http://www.moustique.be/actu-societe/17197/sur-le-terrain-avec-lunite-speciale |url-status=dead }}</ref> Police de Liège (PAB), Antwerp local police.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20150817_01821360/antwerpse-politie-fn-303-wapens-zijn-uitbreiding-van-arsenaal |title=FN 303-wapens zijn uitbreiding van arsenaal |publisher=gva.be Politiezone Minos|date=2015-08-17 |access-date=2015-11-11 |language=nl}}</ref>
*{{flag|Bulgaria}}: In use with the [[Bulgarian Land Forces|Land Forces]] and the [[Military police#Bulgaria|Military Police]].<ref>[http://www.segabg.com/online/article.asp?issueid=2331&sectionid=2&id=0000402 Армията се въоръжи и с газови пистолети] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717070346/http://www.segabg.com/online/article.asp?issueid=2331&sectionid=2&id=0000402 |date=2006-07-17 }}, Segabg, 30 June 2006</ref>
*{{flag|Georgia}}: In service with the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia|Ministry of Internal Affairs]]. Used twice—once as a defensive weapon when protesters illegally entered a police station, and once during riots in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geworld.net/en/human_rights/100.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526184408/http://geworld.net/en/human_rights/100.html |archive-date=2010-05-26 |title=Georgia and World |publisher=Geworld.net |access-date=2012-06-30}}</ref>
*{{flag|Finland}}: Used by the [[Police of Finland]]. First use by the police against the [[Post–World War II anti-fascism|antifa]] demonstration ''Vapaus pelissä'' on 6 December 2015, hitting one person in the eye.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://varisverkosto.com/2019/11/four-years-of-antifascist-mobilisations-what-have-we-learned-from-the-independence-day-demonstrations-of-2015-2018/ |title=Four years of antifascist mobilisations – what have we learned from the Independence Day demonstrations of 2015-2018? |date=2019-11-23|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref>
*{{flag|Japan}}: Used by some [[Special Investigation Team]]s, including that of the [[Aichi Prefectural Police]].
*{{flag|Libya}}: Purchased 2,000 launchers in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/belgium-probes-arms-sales-to-kadhafi-regime_131541.html |title=Belgium probes arms sales to Kadhafi regime < Belgian news &#124; Expatica Belgium |publisher=Expatica.com |access-date=2012-02-16 |archive-date=2012-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705060836/http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/belgium-probes-arms-sales-to-kadhafi-regime_131541.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flag|Luxembourg}}: ''[[Unité Spéciale de la Police]]'' of the [[Grand Ducal Police]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usp.lu/armement-lethales-fr.php |title=Unité Spéciale de la Police Equipement - Armes non Lethales |year=2008 |language=fr |publisher=usp.lu - Unofficial Website of Unité Spéciale, Officially Endorsed |access-date=2009-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227070520/http://www.usp.lu/armement-lethales-fr.php |archive-date=2012-02-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=RTL-Kameramann mécht Plainte géint onbekannte Polizist |url=http://news.rtl.lu/news/national/26804.html |date=2009-05-20 |access-date=2009-05-20 |work=RTL.lu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522105135/http://news.rtl.lu/news/national/26804.html |archive-date=2009-05-22 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Netherlands}}: One launcher purchased by the [[Gelderland|Gelderland Province]] for use by their [[Park ranger|rangers]] to repel wolves in [[De Hoge Veluwe National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gelderlander.nl/binnenland/dit-is-het-wapen-waarmee-gelderland-de-wolf-mag-afschrikken-die-projectielen-komen-echt-wel-aan~ad4c42f3/ |title=Dit is het wapen waarmee Gelderland de wolf mag afschrikken: 'Die projectielen komen echt wel aan' |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
*{{PRT}}: 200 launchers purchased in 2018 by the [[Polícia de Segurança Pública]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About – Sodarca Defense |url=https://sodarcadefense.com/pt/about/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
*{{flag|Singapore}}: In use by the Singapore [[Police Coast Guard]]'s Special Task Squadron<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spf.gov.sg/prints/annual/2008/08spfa_pcg.htm |title=Singapore Police Force Annual Report 2008 |publisher=Singapore Police Force |access-date=2013-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413162141/http://www.spf.gov.sg/prints/annual/2008/08spfa_pcg.htm |archive-date=2009-04-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Singapore Prison Service]] [[Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response|SPEAR]] specialist unit.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}
*{{flag|Thailand}}: Used by the ''Protection and Crowds Control Division'' under the Metropolitan Police Bureau, [[Royal Thai Police]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021_10 {{!}} Reports {{!}} Mob Data Thailand |url=https://blog.mobdatathailand.org/en/posts/2021_10.html |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=blog.mobdatathailand.org}}</ref> in September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ชาวแฟลตดินแดงร้องผู้ชุมนุมงดเสียงดังหลังเคอร์ฟิวส์ คนแก่-เด็กอ่อนได้ผลกระทบ ยันไม่ใช่ 'สลิ่ม' |url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2021/09/95020 |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=prachatai.com |language=th}}</ref>
*{{flag|Turkey}}: ''[[Çevik Kuvvet]]'' of the [[General Directorate of Security (Turkey)|General Directorate of Security]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dunyabulteni.net/news_detail.php?id=122880 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801102024/http://www.dunyabulteni.net/news_detail.php?id=122880 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-01 |title=Cop yerine FN 303 &#124; Dünya Bülteni |publisher=Dunyabulteni.net |date=2011-09-15 |access-date=2012-02-16 }}</ref>
*{{flag|United States}}: Used by the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]], [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]], [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]], and [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]].<ref name="specopstech"/> Also used by the [[United States Customs and Border Protection|U.S. Customs and Border Protection]], [[Alameda County Sheriff's Office]], <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycal.org/2011/09/16/%E2%80%9Cout-gunned%E2%80%9D-campus-response-to-protest |title=The Daily Californian - Berkeley's Newspaper |publisher=Dailycal.org |date=2011-09-16 |access-date=2012-06-30}}</ref> [[Los Angeles Police Department]], <ref>{{cite web|url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-international/2025/06/09/BA7U5RGTCRDH5A25FXKNP5S7CE/|title=LAPD declares downtown LA a no assembly zone amid escalating protests
}}</ref> and the [[Portland Police Bureau]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Portland Police Under Scrutiny For Dangerous Crowd Control Munitions|url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/crowd-control-weapons-portland-police-rubber-foam-bullets-tear-gas/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=opb}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|FN 303}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090824/http://www.fnherstal.com/primary-menu/products-capabilities/less-lethal/general/product/255/254/255/3/_/fn-303R-1.html Official website]

{{FN Herstal firearms}}

[[Category:FN Herstal firearms|303]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps equipment]]
[[Category:Riot guns]]
[[Category:Weapons of Belgium]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]