NCJ Number
204546
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 30,32,34
Date Published
January 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance of using night sights in engaging and hitting targets in low-light scenarios.
Abstract
The majority of officer-involved shootings take place between dusk and dawn. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 72 percent of assaults on officers and 62 percent of officer deaths occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. During the day shift, there will be many situations in which officers are faced with reduced or inconsistent light. Night sights have been available for over 30 years, although they have only recently become popular. Tritium night sights are available from a number of manufacturers and it is common to find tritium night sights included on many models of handguns as they come from the factory. Night sights are entirely self-contained and don’t require any external power or exposure to an external light source. They contain special radio-luminescent inserts, consisting of small glass capsules filled with tritium. The color of the light emitted is determined by the type of phosphor that is used. Green, yellow, and orange light-emitting capsules are available. Night sights are available in a variety of fixed-sight and adjustable-sight models in both three-dot systems and bar-dot systems. All night sights have the same life. Tritium has a half-life of 12 years. They don’t pose any health hazards. Night sights have proven to be a valuable aid in delivering precise and accurate fire in low-light conditions. Most firearms today are not equipped with night sights because of the cost. Night sights excel in non-spontaneous shooting scenarios where the target is clearly identifiable and standard sights could not be seen or wouldn’t be silhouetted against the target. Night sights are invaluable in these situations. Although they aren’t without their limitations, night sights are a valuable tactical aid.