From: "Jim FRANKLIN", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
{.....]
I can't fault the police in this circumstance for shooting
him. I also don't think a baton gun was much of an option,
baton guns are designed for crowd control, you're supposed to
aim at the ground in front of the target and the baton is
supposed to bounce and clobber people. Firing a baton gun
at the distance in this case would just have likely have been
fatal.
[.....]
Not so.
The L3 and L5 baton rounds were designed to inflict a
certain energy level at a certain minimum range by means
of a direct, aimed shot. If fired below this range the
chance of serious injury was considered unacceptable.
The maximun acceptable energy level (the figure has
dissappeared from my memory) was never published. The 2
rounds were meant for long (L3) and short/medium (L5)
ranges. the chances of the L3 being used at short ranges
meant they were eventually withdrawn from service.
With the L67 baton gun, specific targets were designated
from a crowd and then engaged.
All this equipment is now history but it was the kit used
on the streets.
Attempts by the Police through the Home Office to procure
anti-riot baton guns were a fiasco. ARWEN was on offer. A
purpose built piece of kit, with a complete range of
ammunition natures to suit any occasion. It was considered
too aggressive and military and the media would not accept
it _on the British mainland_.
I am unaware, today, if Arwen or a similar beast is
available to the Police, however I do agree that such a
weapon has a place in certain confrontations.
Not to have could be viewed negligent.
"I only have a hammer, so every job is a nail" just about
sums it up.
Jim Franklin
Orpington
KENT. UK
PGP key on request
--
Well, expecting sanity from the Home Office on any sort
of issue is asking a bit much. Note that he was shot with
softpoint bullets, which don't expand (not unless they've
improved them a hell of a lot from what I remember). I cannot
actually see why they bother with SP bullets, FMJ is cheaper
and has the same ballistic effect. Of course, the Home Office
won't allow JHPs because of the adverse publicity, despite
the fact the public is vastly safer with JHPs flying around
rather than SPs or FMJs. Also I have been saying since
about 1989 that the police would be better off with .223s
rather than 9mm, because .223 penetrates less. Finally
they seem to be doing that.
Regardless, hindsight is 20/20, he didn't have a baton gun
and so he shot him with an MP5. And that was justifiable
under the circumstances.
I still think the bean bag guns are better than baton guns.
I remember seeing a picture of someone shot with a baton
gun at close range and the baton did penetrate. I seem
to recall cases in NI where people were very seriously
injured with them.
Anyway, we can always write to our chums at the Home Office,
occasionally they do listen, not very often but it has
been known to happen.
Steve.
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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