I found several powerful statements in the following document:
http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf
This document is labeled:
I think this document is a MUST READ. It is 19 pages long and is dated 1989.
Yep, it said destroyed.
This is probably "Old Hat" for a lot of you, but I found it interesting. It reaffirmed my decision to use a .357 as my carry piece. It reinforces my decision to practice frequently; And it backs up my decision to shoot for the center of the body rather than a head shot - just like the old gunny taught me. I was Navy but we had a lot of Marine DI's.
There are many other significant statements in this document, but I will stop wasting space and let you mine the little gems yourself.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf
This document is labeled:
but is available on the aforementioned website.FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT DISSEMINATION ONLY
I think this document is a MUST READ. It is 19 pages long and is dated 1989.
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. While this concept is subject to conflicting theories, widely held misconceptions, and varied opinions generally distorted by personal experiences, it is critical to the analysis and selection of weapons, ammunition and calibers for use by law enforcement officers.
Physiologically, a determined adversary can be stopped reliably and immediately only by a shot that disrupts the brain or upper spinal cord. Failing a hit to the central nervous system, massive bleeding from holes in the heart or major blood vessels of the torso causing circulatory collapse is the only other way to force incapacitation upon an adversary, and this takes time. For example, there is sufficient oxygen within the brain to support full, voluntary action for 10-15 seconds after the heart has been destroyed
Yep, it said destroyed.
An issue that must be addressed is the fear of over penetration widely expressed on the part of law enforcement. The concern that a bullet would pass through the body of a subject and injure an innocent bystander is clearly exaggerated.
Choosing a bullet because of relatively shallow penetration will seriously compromise weapon effectiveness, and needlessly endanger the lives of the law enforcement officers using it.
No law enforcement officer has lost his life because a bullet over penetrated his adversary, and virtually none have ever been sued for hitting an innocent bystander through an adversary. On the other hand, tragically large numbers of officers have been killed because their bullets did not penetrate deeply enough.
"knock down" power is a myth. The critical element is penetration. The bullet must pass through the large, blood bearing organs and be of sufficient diameter to promote rapid bleeding. Penetration less than 12 inches is too little
Unless the tissue destroyed is located within the critical areas of the central nervous system, it is physiologically insufficient to force incapacitation upon the unwilling target.
Few, if any, shooting incidents will present the officer with an opportunity to take a careful, precisely aimed shot at the subject’s head ... Training is quite properly oriented towards "center of mass" shooting. That is to say, the officer is trained to shoot at the center of whatever is presented for a target. Proper shotplacement is a hit in the center of that part of the adversary which is presented, regardless of anatomy or angle.
This is probably "Old Hat" for a lot of you, but I found it interesting. It reaffirmed my decision to use a .357 as my carry piece. It reinforces my decision to practice frequently; And it backs up my decision to shoot for the center of the body rather than a head shot - just like the old gunny taught me. I was Navy but we had a lot of Marine DI's.
There are many other significant statements in this document, but I will stop wasting space and let you mine the little gems yourself.