They might be non-lethal bullets, but they still hurt.

Just ask the local SWAT team.

Earlier this year, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department received training weapons from the city of Dalton Gardens, and a brave SWAT officer wanted to feel the sting of a rubber projectile.

Obligingly, a teammate shot him.

"He had a pretty good mark on his back for a while," recalled Lt. Stu Miller, public information officer.

At a cost of $7,500, Dalton Gardens purchased four non-lethal rifles, four handguns and ammunition. The city used speeding ticket fines to pay for the powerful, non-lethal weapons, according to City Council President Steve Roberge.

"They let us shoot (the guns) inside the council chambers," Roberge said. "I didn't think they would have that much force."

Officers are now training with the new weapons, simulating active-shooter and live-fire scenarios.

"More realistic training - that's the biggest benefit," Miller said.

The AR-style rifles are charged with air from a pressurized dive tank, he explained. The pistols, built on Glock frames, use CO-2 cartridges. Both fire rubber balls that can be cleaned and reused, saving money on ammunition.

Accurate and lifelike, the guns are a valuable tool, Miller said. Officers can practice maneuvers with "live" rounds, developing their skills.

"It gives you more of a realistic action, the feel of it," Miller said.

The air-powered weapons are very similar to what officers carry on the job, minus the recoil and noise of an actual firearm, he added. Before the new rifles and pistols arrived, non-firing "blue guns" were used in exercises, which were less effective.

Aside from training, the guns can also be loaded with pepper balls and used for crowd control, Miller said.

Multiple agencies will train with the new weapons. SWAT team members have practiced with the guns, and local police departments will use them as well.

Law enforcement will be better prepared for any situation they might encounter, Miller said.

"People are showing up to work with guns, and they show up to college with guns," he added. "The active shooter is becoming a lot more frequent."

Dalton Gardens, which has no police force of its own, relies on the sheriff's department to enforce city ordinances. The city has a speeding problem, Roberge said.

Sheriff's deputies catch plenty of lead-foots cruising above the posted limit in Dalton Gardens, often at dangerous speeds.

"We literally clock some people going 50 miles per hour down Fourth Street," Roberge said.

Dalton Gardens has purchased sheriff's equipment in the past, including knives and flashlights. It's a way of showing gratitude for the services the department provides, Roberge said.

"What we do is ask (the sheriff's department), what are their needs for the year?" he said. "And we try to help them purchase them. We just want to let them know we appreciate any of the help they can give us."