NCJ Number
58480
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 25-27
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE ADDRESSED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES PRESENTS TECHNIQUES FOR THE USE OF A LEAD GAGE IN THE TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS IN SHOTGUN SHOOTING.
Abstract
IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICERS MUST BE PROFICIENT IN THE HANDLING AND SHOOTING OF THE POLICE SHOTGUN. AFTER THE BASIC SKILLS ARE TAUGHT TO OFFICERS MANY POLICE ACADEMIES AND FIREARMS RANGES SUBSEQUENTLY INSTRUCT THEIR TRAINEES TO FIRE AT MOVING TARGETS. AN EXCELLENT WAY TO LEARN AND PRACTICE THIS TECHNIQUE IS THROUGH THE AMERICAN SKEET COURSE, USING AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL DEVICE A SKEET LEAD GAGE. SKEET SHOOTING REQUIRES THE TRAINEE TO SAFELY HANDLE THE SHOTGUN THROUGH A VARIETY OF REPEATED FUNCTIONS, WHILE FIRING AT MULTIPLE TARGETS. TO HIT THE MOVING TARGETS THE SHOOTER MUST POINT THE WEAPON AT THE SPOT WHERE THE SHOT WILL INTERSECT THE TARGETS' FLIGHT PATH. A SKEET LEAD GAGE PROVIDES THE SHOOTER WITH A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE LEAD NECESSARY TO HIT THE CLAY TARGETS. THE GAGE IS CONSTRUCTED OF PIPE, AND ANCHORED IN THE CONCRETE 18 FEET FROM STATION 8 ON THE SKEET RANGE. PROPER TECHNIQUES FOR THE USE OF THE GAGE ARE DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED. THE THREE PRINCIPAL STYLES OF GUN HANDLING; SNAP SHOOTING, SUSTAINED LEAD, AND SWING THROUGH SHOOTING ARE OUTLINED. APPLICATION OF THE GAGE TECHNIQUES TO THESE STYLES CAN LEAD TO EXPERTISE WITH THE SHOTGUN. DIAGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)