I have posted two new essays over at The Chicago Boyz.
In the first, I discuss how the Chicago Police Department has reacted to some recent shootings in their fair city with plans to equip the majority of their patrol officers with semi-auto M4 carbines. I openly wonder why they simply don't equip everyone with a shotgun, which would be cheaper, safer, and more effective.
In the second post, I discuss how coyotes in southern California have attacked small children in three separate incidents over a five day period. The fuzzy, fell good attitude about nature that is popular there will change as soon as a child gets eaten, I would think.
Anyway, click on over and see what you think. Leave a comment and tell me I'm full of dreck, if that is your impression.
UPDATE
Speaking of someone who disagrees, Brillianter weighs in.
Comments (4)
Part of the rationale for issuing rifles vs. shotguns is their reduced dispersion, improved precision and reduced penetration. Riot gun Buckshot patterns result in uncontrolled target misses with one or more pellets beyond short distance. No. 1 and 00 pellets which miss the intended target remain lethal for a considerable distance, penetrate residential building materials, and seldom fragment upon glancing off a hard surface.
5.56mm rifle rounds with frangible bullets recommended for LE use break up into multiple low-mass particles and have less penetration than higher mass buckshot pellets or typical handgun rounds. When proper ammunition is selected, 5.56mm rifle rounds offer a greater margin of safety in urban areas than handgun-caliber carbines and riot shotguns used with buckshot.
Virginia State Police has equipped its troopers with M4s which are carried in the vehicle rack, shotguns remain available, but are carried in the trunk. DC MPD is also deploying 300 semi-auto AR-15 patrol rifles.
Posted by ke4sky | May 12, 2008 3:02 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 15:02
SW Fla, local news this evening: Lady taking her poodle for walk, on leash. Coyote grabs the dog and disappears under of a fence. Dog is still missing.
Posted by Tyouth | May 12, 2008 6:58 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 18:58
I wouldn't say that your full of it. Just a point of disagreement. Shotguns are mythologized and people believe that a shotgun blast knock people through walls and that the racking sound is enough to send criminals scurrying for a change of trousers.
I will certainly agree that a chest full of 00 buck will ruin the rest of your day, but it is not the be-all-end-all of home defense or law enforcement firearms.
Thank you for the link.
Posted by mostlygenius | May 13, 2008 11:12 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 11:12
I wouldn't say that your full of it. Just a point of disagreement.
I stand corrected!
James
Posted by James R. Rummel | May 13, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 11:35