A Warning Shot!
| Published date | 01 January 1996 |
| Date | 01 January 1996 |
| Author | Robert Marshall |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9606900111 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ROBERT MARSHALL
Security Consultant
AWARNING SHOTI
As we all know, firearms are relatively new to the majority of British
police officers. As such, many
of
the trainingand tactical techniques have
been imported. There is one foreign practice however that Home Office
officials and firearms instructors should consider carefully before
incorporating it in future training programmes. I refer towhat at first sight
seems the perfectly reasonableconcept of firing a warning shot in the air.
Although most experienced instructors will realize the dangers of any
loose bullet, few (I suspect) will have data which fully explains thedangers
of
bullets fired in the vertical plane - a discharge that
of
course could
happen accidentally. In fact, the risk
of
serious injury to the officer and the
public is considerable. Studies for a typical modem 7.62 millimetre
calibre bullet fired in the air show that it will travel almost one-and-a half
miles upwards before beginning its descent. In the last few seconds
of
its
17-second skyward journey, the bullet will be travelling at less than 20
metres
per
second. It is at this stage that the bullet is particularly
susceptible to lateral movement by the wind. Even with a truly vertical
launch, anyone within a quarter
of
a mile
of
the firing point could be at risk
as the bullet falls to impact.
It
may surprise many that at that point the bullet will still be travelling
at around 70 metres
per
second. With tests by Browning showing that the
velocity required for skin penetration to be between 45 and 65 metres
per
second, the risk of serious injury becomes apparent. There is also a high
probability of any injury being fatal without skin penetration. In the
majority of cases the bullet will be flying base. At such velocity and with
the prospect of cranial damage, there is five times more likelihood of death
resulting from a falling bullet injury than any other type of shooting
accident.
Although the above tests concerned a 7.62 millimetre bullet, other tests
on different calibre ammunition, including hand-gun shot, show similar if
not greater terminal velocities.
That "warningshot" then, could itself prove fatal. What goes up really
does come down, and sometimes with a quite unexpected vengeance.
Note
Firearms instructors may be interested to know a detailed paper published recently by the
American Ballistics expert Mr
L.c.
Hagg, "Falling Bullets: Terminal Velocities and
Penetration Studies", was presented at the Wound Ballistics Conference in Sacramento,
California. Copies are available from Executive Action, 53 Tattersalls Chase, Southrninster,
Essex CMO 7EG. Telephone
01621773095
for details.
January 1996 The Police Journal 87
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