NCJ Number
201154
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 80-83
Date Published
June 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Continued, repetitive training with a laser handgun sight will help officers to maintain and enhance their shooting skills.
Abstract
A laser sight is a helpful visual training tool for both dry-fire and live-fire training. The laser provides officers with an immediate feedback system, showing officers how they are shooting on a real-time basis. It can thus be of significant assistance in diagnosing any problems that require correcting. The use of a laser sight will not result in a dependence on the laser to the exclusion of conventional sighting methods; on the contrary, laser sights have been shown to improve shooting skills at a much higher rate than without lasers. A laser sight will help an officer shoot more accurately and with greater speed, no matter what sighting system that officer uses. Presenting a laser-equipped handgun from a holster or low-ready position and targeting objects at different ranges will improve an officer's muscle memory and ability to shoot instinctively. Dry-fire training with a laser will allow an officer to train anywhere. By using dry-fire training with a laser the officer can practice scenarios that would be impossible to conduct at a range. Officers can train, role-play, or practice scenarios that would be impossible to do in a dedicated environment. Training with a laser sight can also enhance safe firearms handling skills. It is essential, however, for an officer to continue firearms training with conventional sighting techniques as well as with the laser sights. The features of various types of laser sights currently being manufactured are described in this article.