Police Negligent Discharge Study - Results Not What You Might Think

[OlBill]

I suspect since the police handle their firearms much more frequently than even the average concealed carrier, they would have more accidental discharges. Maybe the same thing goes for automobile negligents too, given the more aggressive driving required of LEO.

Why do you think police handle their firearms more?

[ScottDLS]

I suspect since the police handle their firearms much more frequently than even the average concealed carrier, they would have more accidental discharges. Maybe the same thing goes for automobile negligents too, given the more aggressive driving required of LEO.

Why do you think police handle their firearms more?

Because they wear them every time the are on duty and unless they leave them on in their duty holsters 24/7 they are going to be handling them. The general public and even most LTCs rarely carry their firearms as much as police. Yes of course some do, but I’m talking about averages.

[Excaliber]

Try this link.

It gives access to the full study summary, and it's free as of 7:19 PM tonight.

Unfortunately not as of 0843 this morning, at least not for me.

It keeps reverting to the non-free version of the page - not sure what's wrong there. The link comes directly from the Force Science News which stated the study is free until sometime in February.

[srothstein]

The link appears to be an update to an earlier article. There is an article on the Force Science Institute's web site research page that contains a review of police unintentional discharges. It has some interesting points in it though I would be concerned about drawing conclusions from such a low number of incidents (132). Obviously, the researchers had a problem gathering data as there is no set procedure on how to report these and no database to collect them. I would be willing to bet more go unreported than are reported if no one is injured in the discharge.

But I suggest everyone read it (click here for a pdf) and look at the training suggestions on how to avoid an unintentional discharge. Their three primary factors should look familiar (treat all firearms as loaded, always point the weapon in a safe direction, index the trigger finger to avoid accidentally squeezing it).

[treadlightly]

We had an ND by a Deputy at the County Jail, becasue he had disarmed by removing his pistol from the holster (instead of removing the holstered pistol). When replacing his pistol, he had his keys in his hand, and one of them caught on the trigger.

Sounds like McLennan County - there was an incident like that a while back.

[oohrah]

We had an ND by a Deputy at the County Jail, becasue he had disarmed by removing his pistol from the holster (instead of removing the holstered pistol). When replacing his pistol, he had his keys in his hand, and one of them caught on the trigger.

Sounds like McLennan County - there was an incident like that a while back.

Your memory is correct .