The Infrequent Use of Long Guns by Law Enforcement Officers

Laws, regulations, and the physical usage of long guns by law enforcement officers vary widely. The personal experiences of individuals within this field help shed light on the minimal instances of actual gunfire from such weapons. In this article, we will delve into the infrequent use of long guns by police personnel, examining how realistic the portrayal of these weapons is in media and the specific circumstances under which they may be deployed.

Limited Instances of Long Gun Usage

Having served as a law enforcement chaplain for two decades, I can confidently state that the use of long guns is extremely rare in real-life scenarios outside of Hollywood depictions. Much of the portrayal of law enforcement in media and popular culture is vastly exaggerated and often inaccurate, leading to misconceptions about the frequency and context of their use. As a chaplain, my exposure to many officers and situations has allowed me to understand the rarity of such events.

Real-World Usage Contexts

For my colleagues and myself, using a long gun refers to situations where the firearm is drawn from its holster and pointed at individuals, rather than actually discharging the weapon. This practice is more common than actual gunfire but still rare. In my years of service, I have found myself in situations where I had to draw my weapon but rarely have I been in a position to use it. Although I have come close to firing my weapon twice against knife-wielding suspects, I am glad I did not have to resort to such extreme measures.

Statistics and Trends

A study conducted on various law enforcement agencies revealed that a significant majority of officers never fire their weapons during their careers. In fact, over 97% of officers in my old department reported not firing their firearm in their 25-year career, with the majority of discharges being at target ranges for mandatory qualification or practice. The targets in these situations are paper targets at ranges, which minimizes the actual risk to individuals.

Other Usage Scenarios

While the actual use of long guns is rare, having firearms at the ready and pointing them at individuals is more common. Depending on the geographical area and specific roles of individual officers, this can occur multiple times a week or even several times a day. However, pointing a gun is not equivalent to actual gunfire; it is part of crowd control and de-escalation techniques. Once the point is made and the situation is under control, there is no need to go further.

Training and Policy

The extensive training and strict policies governing the use of firearms are crucial in ensuring the safety and rationality of such actions. Officers receive extensive training in de-escalation techniques, safe firearm handling, and when to use their firearms. These policies are continually reviewed and updated based on incidents and feedback from the field. For instance, a tragic shooting incident in the 1960s occurred when a young man turned around on a police officer during a search with the officer holding a firearm cocked. The officer's actions were reviewed, and policies were subsequently revised to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the utilization of long guns by law enforcement officers is infrequent, with the majority of instances including pointing the weapon without actual gunfire. This rarity is supported by the high statistics of officers who have never fired their weapon during their careers. While training and policies are in place to handle such situations, the portrayal of long gun usage in media often fails to reflect the complexities and rare nature of such events in real-life policing.