LAPD stating rise in accidental gunshots. Thoughts?

[SoCalEnthusiast]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sheriff-guns-20150614-story.html#page=1

This is insanity. I'm an avid Glock fan but I think the numbers must be skewed!? Or not?

[k1dude]

Simply poor trigger discipline.

In every instance, why was their finger on the trigger?

Lack of training, lack of trigger control.

Poor marksmanship and gun handling isn't uncommon in the ranks. Many LEO's aren't gun enthusiasts. They do the minimum amount of shooting to stay qualified and that's it.

I imagine a bunch of them used to ride the 12 to 15 pound trigger on their Beretta's and now they're having ND's with the M&P's. Their finger should never have been on the trigger in the first place.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

Well whatever it is, it's a little scary.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

I think we can all agree on that.

[RickD427]

http://www.latimes.com/local/califor...ry.html#page=1

This is insanity. I'm an avid Glock fan but I think the numbers must be skewed!? Or not?

OK, I'll bite. Where in the article does it say anything about LAPD having a rise in accidental gunshots?

According to the article, the LAPD declined to provide any accidental discharge statistics, and their range lieutenant said "he did not believe the department had a problem when officers made the transition to the Glock, and none is expected with the M&P because it is similar to the Glock."

It seems like all of the article's comments were directed to the Sheriff's Dept.

[HopetonBrown]

The average patrol cop gets 40-80 of firearms training in the academy. And for most of them, unless they go to a special unit, that's all the training they get.

My local PD shoots 100 rounds a year; and that is for the twice a year 50 round qualification.

It's easy to say "keep your finger off the trigger" when you're in a nice sterile environment like the booth at your local range.

Police need more training, but quality training is expensive.

[asphaltcowboychip]

The average patrol cop gets 40-80 of firearms training in the academy. And for most of them, unless they go to a special unit, that's all the training they get.

My local PD shoots 100 rounds a year; and that is for the twice a year 50 round qualification.

It's easy to say "keep your finger off the trigger" when you're in a nice sterile environment like the booth at your local range.

Police need more training, but quality training is expensive.

This is a big liability issue for such a perishable skill. Especially in this day in age.

[liberty47]

I like the guy who is suing because his 3 year old shot him.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

http://www.latimes.com/local/califor...ry.html#page=1

This is insanity. I'm an avid Glock fan but I think the numbers must be skewed!? Or not?

You may not know this, but the LAPD and the LASD are two different departments. This article is primarily focused on LASD. The M&P is a relatively new addition with the LASD, while LAPD has been using the Glock for a long time.

I like the M&P a lot and it is my duty weapon. The M&PC is my off duty gun. All of the controls are exactly the same. I will be the first to admit that the M&P is not a forgiving gun for those with sloppy trigger discipline.

I also admit that required LE range time is expensive for departments and not always as extensive as it could be. However, at least in my department's case, the minimum shooting requirements are just that, a minimum. We can go to department ranges and shoot our authorized carry guns as much as we like, so I don't blame the department for AD / ND's. The initial academy training and conversion training with the M&P is long and challenging. After that, the responsibility falls on the individual to maintain their training.

Since I am a "gun guy", I have no safety concerns with the M&P. It is a superlative weapon and cannot just go bang unless you have "the booger hook on the bang switch" as they say. If I had any concern with the M&P it would just be to make sure it gets retained during an altercation, as there is nothing to prevent it from firing immediately once gotten control of.

[SKSBill]

"A poor craftsman always blames his tools"

[JohnFLand]

Simply poor trigger discipline.

In every instance, why was their finger on the trigger?

Lack of training, lack of trigger control.

Poor marksmanship and gun handling isn't uncommon in the ranks. Many LEO's aren't gun enthusiasts. They do the minimum amount of shooting to stay qualified and that's it.

I imagine a bunch of them used to ride the 12 to 15 pound trigger on their Beretta's and now they're having ND's with the M&P's. Their finger should never have been on the trigger in the first place.

If the article is to be believed, the Beretta protocol was to keep the trigger finger on the trigger; un-training that muscle memory is going to take some time.

[Bainter1212]

I am not a fan of DA/SA pistols, but there is a good reason they exist. When you have to train a large organization to use a weapon, you are going to have a certain percentage of that organization who do not retain all of the pertinent training (such as "keep the booger hook off the bang switch" ).
IMHO, this is where DA/SA systems shine, as they include an extra safety barrier against NDs.
As an individual, I prefer SA only pistols, but I certainly wouldn't if I didn't have the time or inclination to practice safe handling of an SA weapon.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I am not a fan of DA/SA pistols, but there is a good reason they exist. When you have to train a large organization to use a weapon, you are going to have a certain percentage of that organization who do not retain all of the pertinent training (such as "keep the booger hook off the bang switch" ).
IMHO, this is where DA/SA systems shine, as they include an extra safety barrier against NDs.
As an individual, I prefer SA only pistols, but I certainly wouldn't if I didn't have the time or inclination to practice safe handling of an SA weapon.

I agree. I think a pistol like the 92F is a better choice for most large agencies. The only real problem with that is that the grip size is uncomfortably large for some people.

[cire raeb]

Sounds like LEO in LA should also subjected to the rosters for safety reasons ��

[Mark49]

I think A/D has been replaced with N/D

http://news.yahoo.com/police-source-4-hurt-gun-goes-off-waldorf-024119526.html#