Isn't there anything between tasing and shooting someone dead?

[ForeverPA]

Seems like the only options the police have exercised recently are either tasing someone, which I always thought to be impractical to carry out, or shooting them dead. At home the family often ask why can’t the police shoot someone in the leg or something. The desire being wanting to stop someone short of killing them. I say to them the police are not that good a shot. But what about arming the police with something like a Serbu that can fire nonlethal but certainly jarring loads? Police used to carry shotguns in their squad cars apparently for a similar reason. What happened to them?

[jakebrake]

cameras happened.

the days of a tune-up are long gone.

[streaker69]

cameras happened.

the days of a tune-up are long gone.

Yup, the 80's are gone.

[wanneroo]

I think people are not in touch with reality if they think that shooting the leg is an automatic non fatal shot. You hit the femoral artery and without any attention you are probably dead in a minute or two.

[ForeverPA]

You must admit a cop stepping out of his police car carrying a Serbu is real cool.

[ErSwnn]

I'd think that what lies between being tased and being shot is giving up. If you've been tased and don't want to be shot, give up.

The notion of "shooting them in the leg" is unrealistic. A smaller target, the probability of over penetration and the fact that a bad guy with a gun doesn't cease to be a threat because his leg is bleeding.

[ARay]

Shooting in the leg is still "Lethal Force". IANAL

[ErSwnn]

I think people are not in touch with reality if they think that shooting the leg is an automatic non fatal shot. You hit the femoral artery and without any attention you are probably dead in a minute or two.

But there is the school of thought that an immediate cessation of a threat beats one that takes a couple of minutes.

It's never a good idea to kill the threat...just stop it is the goal. Of course a well placed round through the ocular cavity and into the brain housing group is superior to disabling it's transportation and assures the threat has ended. In the event such a shot isn't available halting the operation of the main pump is also acceptable.

[ErSwnn]

Yup, the 80's are gone.

Someone is in big trouble when the parents get back. Do you see those holes in the drywall?? Shoulda used a AR...less penetration, or so it's rumored.

[Bang]

Cop shoots perp in leg.

Perp goes down, now bleeding profusely.

Cop has been trained to give first aid.

Cop must either give first aid and risk losing control of perp and get injured or killed, or maintain distance waiting for EMT.

Cop decides to give first aid, and perp gouges out cops eyes.

Cop decides to maintain distance, perp bleeds out, cop is civilly sued by perp's whomevers.