NCJ Number
65402
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
TO INSTRUCT OFFICERS IN SAFE GUN HANDLING ON AND OFF DUTY, THIS FILM ILLUSTRATES METHODS OF HANDLING FIREARMS SO AS TO AVOID MALFUNCTIONS, ACCIDENTS, UNINTENTIONAL HITS, AND WEAPONS GEAR PROBLEMS.
Abstract
BECAUSE ONE THIRD OF ALL ACCIDENTS OCCUR THROUGH ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES WHEN POLICE OFFICERS LEAVE THEIR CARS, OFFICERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEIR WEAPONS' LOCATION. THEY SHOULD CARRY THEIR GUNS WITH THE BARRELS DOWN AND SAFETY ENGAGED. WHEN OFF DUTY, OFFICERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY UNLOAD THEIR WEAPONS AND MAKE THEM INOPERATIVE; LOCKING THEM IN A METAL STORAGE CASE WITH BULLETS IN A SEPARATE CONTAINER IS RECOMMENDED. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO REMEMBER TO RELOAD THEIR WEAPONS WHEN RETURNING TO THEIR JOBS. TO AVOID UNINTENTIONAL HITS, POLICE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM SHOOTING AT A MOVING VEHICLE OR FROM THEIR PATROL CARS WHEN DRIVING, AND THEY SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN SHOOTING WARNING SHOTS INTO THE AIR OR AT THE GROUND. THEY SHOULD ALSO INSPECT UNDERCOVER OFFICERS FOR THEIR PROPER IDENTIFICATION BEFORE RELAXING THEIR GUARD. TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS OF MALFUNCTIONS CAUSED BY FORGETTING TO RELEASE THE SAFETY OR NEGLECTING AN OLD WEAPON IN NEED OF REPAIR, POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD ROUTINELY CHECK WEAPONS INCLUDING SHOTGUNS STORED IN THE PATROL CAR. POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD AVOID ADDING ACCESSORIES ('HOTRODDING') TO THEIR WEAPONS AS AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST MALFUNCTIONS OR ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR POLICE TO KNOW THE PROPER AMMUNITION FOR THEIR WEAPONS AS BULLETS ARE NOT ALWAYS INTERCHANGEABLE. THE FILM EXPLAINS HOW TO PREVENT CORROSION OF AMMUNITION AND PROMOTES POLICE INITIATIVE IN OBTAINING QUALITY RELOADS. FINALLY, BECAUSE FAULTY LEATHER GEAR CAN BE DANGEROUS (THE GUN MIGHT FALL OUT OR BE JAMMED IN THE HOLSTER), A POLICE OFFICER IS SHOWN TESTING HIS HOLSTER.