The handgun is the primary weapon in law enforcement its purpose to apply deadly force to protect the life of the officer the lives of others and to prevent serious physical harm. When an officer shoots a subject its done with the explicit intention of immediately incapacitating that subject in order to stop whatever threat to life or physical safety is posed. The concept of immediate incapacitation is the only goal of any law enforcement shooting and is the underlying rationale for decisions regarding weapons ammunition calibers and training.
Because a lot is at stake when an officer is required to use his handgun the selection of effective ammunition for law enforcement is a critical and complex issue. The issue is made even more complex by the amount of
credible research and the wealth of uninformed opinion regarding what is commonly referred to as stopping power. But in reality few people have conducted relevant research in this area and even fewer have produced credible information that is useful for law enforcement agencies in making informed decisions.
This article brings together what is believed to be the most credible information regarding wound ballistics from studies conducted by
the FBIs Firearms Training Academy in legendary Quantico
Virginia. It cuts through the confusion and provides common-sense scientifically supported principles by which the effectiveness of law enforcement ammunition may be measured. And while its not the final word on wound ballistics its an important contribution to what should be an ongoing discussion.
Tactical Realities
Shot placement is an important and often cited consideration regarding the suitability of weapons and ammunition. However considerations of caliber are equally important and cannot be ignored. For example a bullet through the central nervous system with any caliber of ammunition is likely to be immediately incapacitating. Even a .22 rimfire penetrating the brain will cause immediate incapacitation in most cases. Obviously this does not mean the law enforcement agency should issue .22 rimfires and train for head shots as the primary target. The realities of shooting incidents prohibit such a solution.
Few if any shooting incidents will present the officer with an opportunity to take a careful precisely aimed shot at the subjects head. Rather shootings are characterized by several factors:
- Sudden unexpected occurrence
- Rapid and unpredictable movement of both officer and adversary
- Limited and partial target opportunities
- Poor light and unforeseen obstacles
- The life-or-death stress of sudden close personal violence.
Continue reading
Handgun Wounding Factors: An Effectiveness Guide for Law Enforcement at
Ammo.com.
