2006-10-20 11:26:49 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
When a police officer uses his weapon, it is as a last resort. To use his/her weapon, that officer has to be able to clearly articulate that his/her life (or the life of some other person) was in imminent danger from the "suspect".
At the point where an officer must use his/her weapon, there is one goal: to stop the threat this person poses. There is only one absolute way to stop the threat, and that is by shooting to kill. So a police officer will fire his/her weapon as many times as they feel is necessary to accomplish that. Once the "suspect" falls, that's usually when the officer will feel comfortable that the threat is over, or at least comfortable enough to stop firing and reevaluate the threat level.
I've only had to use my weapon in the line of duty 1 time in 4 years. There were four "suspects" who were firing rifles and shotguns at innocent people (myself included), so I shot back. I only fired 4 times, because that is how long it took my mind to register that after my first shot, the "suspects" ran off. Once they ran off, the threat level dropped, so I stopped firing. I then pursued them, but didn't have to use my weapon anymore. And don't worry, we caught them all. They're all locked up and awaiting trial for their various crimes.
2006-10-20 16:05:07 · answer #1 · answered by RJ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When shooting at a threat you shoot to stop that threat. In a high stress situation a well-trained officer that at the range that gets all his rounds in the Ten ring on the target. His aim can be out of whack to the point where he may be pointing at the chest but end up hitting the bad guy once in the heal, then the rest of the rounds miss.
Again the police are trained to shoot to stop the threat, one round in the heal isn't going to stop a bad guy.
Also, they have found in the high stress situations even if the officer thinks he's only fired three or four rounds that he actually emptied the magazine.
2006-10-20 18:37:28 · answer #2 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where you are getting your information. Police shootings are rare when compared to the number of police vs. citizens encounters. And when shootings do occur, the police fire only 1 or 2 shots the majority of the time. TV cops are the only ones that empty the gun at least once per shift.
2006-10-20 11:39:43 · answer #3 · answered by Mike 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who says they fire so many shots? I usually see 1 or 2. On occasion there are more, but when someone is shooting at you are you going to count shots? I would not want their job for any money
2006-10-20 13:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by lobo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Adrenalin? Even with all the training in the world, it is still impossible to predict how someone might act when their life is on the line. Wouldn't you want to make sure that the person you are shooting at is not going to shoot you back??
2006-10-20 11:29:48 · answer #5 · answered by TJD 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
9mm was mentioned above, and as some departments have been foolish enough to go with them, they contribute two ways. Larger capacity magazines, and the stopping power of a rubber-band gun.
It is unfortunate that marksmanship and firearms safety are not universally mandatory in our schools, It is much harder to teach an adult how to shoot than a child.
Also, you try keeping yourself from being a target, and we'll see how good your aim is.
2006-10-20 11:36:25 · answer #6 · answered by Gaspode 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ever trying hitting a moving target? It's not nearly as easy as TV and movies would have you believe.
Then there's what my firearms instructor (ex-MP) taught me: "Never pick up a gun if you don't plan to use it, and never use a gun if you don't plan to kill with it."
When I take aim, something's going down, and I don't care how many shots it takes.
2006-10-20 11:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Shoot to kill. I'm sorry but if i were a police officer and someone was shooting at me i think i'd shoot back as much as i could to ensure they die. I know it sounds harsh but eh! Plus police aren't bad they are just trying to keep it safe for us. As much as i hate getting pulled over these people are just trying to do their jobs.
2006-10-20 11:37:33 · answer #8 · answered by Reeka01 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
they don't always do so
and in a shoot out pistols aren't very accurate so more bullets increase the chance of hitting them an it the suspect is really dangerous and their trying to kill them the single bullets are less lethal then most guns for that purpose
2006-10-21 06:10:56 · answer #9 · answered by iknowmy3tables 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dead men don't talk.
If you shoot a young black man, and he ends up paralyzed, he could badger you for the rest of your life. He could get on the media. He could win a multi-million dollar lawsuit against your department. He could get you arrested and put in prison. Why not make all that go away by firing a few extra bullets?
2006-10-21 01:06:38 · answer #10 · answered by Sabrina H 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋