Flare gun

[3] Modern varieties are frequently made out of durable plastic of a bright colour that makes them more conspicuous and easier to retrieve in an emergency and assists in distinguishing them from conventional firearms.

[citation needed] In the Russian Federation, which also has strict controls on firearms, a special tube-shaped flare launching device called a "Hunter's Signal" (Сигнал Охотника) is available.

The flares must be shot directly above, making the signal visible for a longer period of time and revealing the position of whoever is in need of assistance.

[6][7][8] In World War II, Germany manufactured grenades designed to be fired from adapted flare guns known as the Sturmpistole in its final form.

Use of any of these devices in the Orion plastic 12 gauge flare gun is not recommended by the manufacturer and ATF tests have demonstrated that sometimes a single use results in a catastrophic failure.