To cops: how unusual is it to unload a whole clip if you are forced to use your weapon?

Question

I'm not trying to be anti cop or pro cop here just curious.

Answer 1

Excellent question. We practice by shooting twice; however, I can fire all 16 rounds in my gun in about 3 seconds. It is not like TV. The suspect does not immediately go down even after being shot in the chest. It is not uncommon for individuals to take numerous rounds before becoming incapacitated. Your question was "how unusual". I must say that most of our shootings are over quickly. The last officer who was killed in FL did not even get the chance to unholster his weapon. His backup was shot also.

Answer 2

It depends on the situation and on the individual officer's level of excitement.
We are taught that your gun never leaves the holster unless you are prepared to shoot someone. So if it's out and I have to pull the trigger, I am going to do so until I know that the person I am shooting at is incapacitated.
As for emptying a clip... maybe if I were alone in a firefight, or if it was a big shootout where we were facing multiple shooters.
We have to account for every single bullet. So, after the shooting, I would expect to be questioned by what is known on our department as "The Shooting Team" an after-incident team of investigators from Internal Affairs, and to be taken through the entire shooting, round by round. It does not look good to say that you got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't realize you were still firing.

Answer 3

Not a Cop:

I do recreational shooting my pistol and can tell you that unloading your whole clip does require effort. You don't just do it without thinking about it. Anyone who says that a cop that unloads their entire clip on someone "automatically" or without thinking about it doesn't know what they are talking about. Also, any cop that would have such a condition where they unload their clips shouldn't be in operation of a firearm. "Spray and pray" is an awful way to fire your weapon and professionals should know better.

Answer 4

The Police don't carry M-1 Garands.

The 9MM's they are issued are underpowered, then factor in Hollow Point ammo is designed as not to over penetrate you have to keep firing to stop the threat.

While it may seam excessive to empty a magazine into a car bearing down on a cop or into a bad guy to those that have never firearms training let alone the most stressful thing they have ever dealt with is if Mary Jane will date them or not. A police officer shoots to stop that threat, if that means they empty their magazine to do so then that's what was needed.

A Bad Guy hopped up on speed is hard to stop.

Answer 5

Some times if other police officers are firing at the same time, you may lose track of how many times you have fired. Also if the person your shooting at has a gun, and you hear gun fire, you will keep firing until that person is on the ground and unable to pull the trigger which may kill you.

Answer 6

If you hafta shoot, shoot for desired effect. Nine years, I fired my weapon twice (a nice double-tap).

If you have to empty a mag, by god you better have a good reason, and you damned sure better have a spare mag handy.

Answer 7

"When in doubt - empty the magazine."

Murphy's Laws of Combat.

Remember that when a cop has to shoot his first priority will be remaining alive.

Answer 8

Fire till the threat is eliminated. Nromally in sets of three shots.

Answer 9

Depends on a lot of factors, like how many opponents are you facing, how many are armed, are you engaged in a firefight behid cover?

Answer 10

depends on the situation. all of them have to be looked at as separate incidents