They aim for centre mass, although with a rifle, a spotter and a more controlled shooting environment you might specifically choose the X ring over the heart, or even a head shot - if, say, someone was holding a bomb trigger you want the brain disconnected from the nervous system instantly. While there is no shoot to kill policy or otherwise, you accept that you're using lethal force and a possible consequence is that the subject will kark it. Unless it strikes a major organ a 9mm isn't likely to prove fatal, especially as firearms officers are all first aid trained to paramedic level in order to care for the subject until the pro s arrive. The P26 isn't a brilliant pistol either. It's double action which make it relatively safe to carry, les prone to a negligent discharge, but it a big weapon and even big lads with big hands can find in uncomfortable - even on a calm low stress environment, like the range, you'd be very skilled indeed to hit a spot the size of a Kindle at 5 metres. In a live environment with stress, external stimuli and a moving target you'd be lucky to hit them at all, hence aiming for centre mass (the biggest target), and hence rounds going astray, hitting limbs instead of torsos etc. The pistol is for the AFO s protection rather than as a tactical option. Those bobbies were out the car and instantly faced with an armed adversary who's already used deadly force, instant arming off the hip, bang bang. Most of the pundits couldn't set the safety on a P26, so don't listen to a word they say.
Might've been different with the MP 5 which is very accurate for an smg and has a higher muzzle velocity, or the G36 which is essentially a military rifle, but if you have to get shot then a copper jacketed 9mm fired at very close range while the round is still moving in stable flight is probably the one you'd choose. There are examples of 9mms and .38s being deflected by car windscreen and mobile phones in pockets. They won't allow our dibble to use high powered handgun rounds like Magnums or the new10mm FBI standard because they might kill someone.
, and they're worried about over penetration etc.
The real reason they don't arm all police officers with firearms is the incredible start up cost of knitting up and training and the huge on going training costs, and fears over the suicide rate among officers with easy access to shooters. This business about policing by consent is utter bollarks and I've got the broken bones and had the surgery to prove it.
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