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Saiga-12 Shotguns in Law Enforcement?

by Richard

February 1st, 2012

Reports have come out that the Russian-made Saiga-12 shotguns are being sold to US law enforcement agencies. For those not familiar, the Saiga-12 is a detachable-magazine-fed, semi-automatic shotgun that has a passing resemblance to the AK-47 rifle.

The Saiga-12 has been popular with three-gun competition shooters and firearms enthusiasts, but I have not heard of any US law enforcement agencies purchasing the Saiga-12 as a issued firearm.

Saiga 12 for Law Enforcement

While the Saiga-12 offers some advantages when compared to traditional pump and semi-auto shotguns, it also presents a number of hurdles that would rule it out for most police departments. Some of the disadvantages include:

Categories Firearms
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Falling Bullet Protection

by Randall

January 4th, 2012

A 12 year old boy in Ruskin, FL was struck in the head by a falling bullet on New Year’s Eve. He was outside enjoying the evening with his family when he collapsed in the front yard.

The family did not hear nearby gunfire, only fireworks. When they rushed to the boy, he had blood coming from his nose and mouth. Family members did not know he was shot. They took him straight to a hospital.

It was theorized by the Hillsborough County, FL Sheriff’s Office that the bullet which critically injured the boy was fired from miles away. Media reports ironically call these shots “celebratory gunfire.” I think that is in poor taste.

Categories Firearms, Officer Safety
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Dangerous Carry

by Randall

December 28th, 2011

Clip Draw I have seen a recent trend in off-duty and concealed firearms carry that strikes me as dangerous. The proliferation of smaller, more powerful handguns has spurred a wave of creative carry ideas that are potentially lethal to the user.

I would say these carry methods tend toward the “holsterless” gun. Two examples of this are the carry clip and the pocket wallet.

Carrying a handgun without a holster is nothing new. Traveling back to the Old West, you may see revolvers stuck sideways in a belt. Sepia photographs from those days are flush with cowboys, lawmen, and ruffians proudly displaying their guns this way.

Massad Ayoob wrote about a holsterless waistband carry method in 19^th century Mexico that let the civilian vaquero ditch his handgun, at the approach of the mistrusted Federales, without wearing the incriminating holster and belt. It was called “Mexican Carry” and is not derogatory.

Categories Firearms, Off Duty Concerns
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Riot Laser Rifle

by Richard

December 24th, 2011

A “riot laser rifle” called the SMU100 is being marketed to police departments in the UK as a non-lethal tool to disrupt looters and violent people from a distance of 500 meters.

The manufacturer of the light gun, Photonic Security Systems, previously marketed the SMU100 laser rifle as a maritime security tool to discourage pirates.

According to Photonic Security Systems, the SMU100:

“…emits a dazzling wall of light capable of repelling threat. The shoulder mounted technology temporarily impairs the vision of anyone caught in its infra-red sights.”

Categories Firearms, Technology
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Massachusetts State Police, Vermont State Police Adopt Smith & Wesson

by Richard

December 12th, 2011

Smith & Wesson announced the Massachusetts State Police and Vermont State Police selected the S&W M&P handgun as their primary duty pistol. MSP picked the M&P45 while VSP chose the M&P40. The Massachusetts State Police ordered 2,500 M&P45 pistols. The Vermont State Police ordered 390 of the M&P40 handguns.

I’m not sure what the two agencies were using most recently as duty pistols. Previously, MSP carried the SIG SAUER P226 in .40 S&W. The Vermont State Police also carried a SIG SAUER in .40 S&W: the P229. If anyone has specific information on what the two agencies most recently carried, please leave a comment below.

Categories Firearms
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