A novel dearmer enables EOD technicians to propel dearmer projectiles using conventional electric .50 caliber blank cartridges or conventional non-electric 12 gauge blank cartridges. The dearmer projectiles may render energetic threats safe without requiring an opposing force to offset the recoil. The conventional blank cartridge functions as a rocket motor that supplies gas to a converging/diverging nozzle. Alternatively, liquid is loaded into the dearmer (creating a liquid rocket effect) and the EOD projectile is propelled toward a target from the end of the dearmer opposite the liquid.