A Boring Dystopia

Nah, it's the non lethal rounds they fire, but it sounds like there are newer ones as well that can be fired directly.

Originally, they were intended to be bounced off the ground when the British designed them.

Looks like LAPD now use some that are intended to be bounced off the ground, and some that are meant to be fired directly at the target.

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-MIGRATION/PROTEST-LOSANGELES-WEAPONS/zdpxalxkyvx/

In fact, the LAPD does not use rubber bullets, the department told Reuters.

Instead, the LAPD uses foam rounds, a condensed sponge projectile that resembles a hard Nerf ball.

One version, which has a plastic body with a hard foam nose, is fired from a 40mm launcher and is usually aimed directly at a target.

A second version, fired from a 37mm launcher, disperses five foam baton rounds toward the ground in front of a hostile crowd once an unlawful assembly has been declared, before bouncing up into the crowd. It is not to be fired directly at individuals, the LAPD said.

However in the past, even with ones that are meant to be targeted at the ground, police have often been found aiming them at people. So I wouldn't be surprised if/when the LAPD fires the 37mm versions directly at people either.