Watch Those "Tac Vest" Mounts!

[GPB]

I think we, as forums members and humans being, have a responsibility
to pass on good info when we hear of it. Especially when it comes from reliable sources, as this does.

Recently while attending a Shotgun Class instructed by two reputable Gunsite Instructors, we learned this tid bit. Details may be a bit off, but the point is there.

ENGAGE THE SAFETY, ENGAGE THE SAFETY, ENGAGE THE SAFETY:

In LA, or somewhere in the CONUS, a Tac Team was serving a high risk warrant on a felon in a residence. While engaging targets during entry, a youth was subdued (not the actual target) by an officer. The officer was using a Tactical Sling on his shotgun like the "Giles" or Blackhawk "Swift", etc., which slings the weapon in the "low ready" position. The officer had a folder clipped to "his" left side (shoulder area) of his tac vest. The officer kneeled to cuff the youth when the trigger of his shotgun was engaged by the folder on his vest. The shotgun being in the low ready position, discharged and killed the youth.

This was a tragedy and should be a lesson to any LEO's or Tac Guys out there. As I understood the story, the youth was NOT the target and only a resident with his mother. The target was the boyfriend of the mother.

ALWAYS ENGAGE THE SAFETY WHEN CHANGING THE WEAPONS STATUS TO A "HANDS FREE" SLUNG POSITION!

This LEO will probably never be able live peacefully, knowing his negligence cost an innocent his life.

Chris, I would welcome any corrections to the details regarding this story.

 

[takao]

I'm just wondering why a LEO carrying a long weapon would be handcuffing some one. Hard to control such a weapon at that range, no matter who the prep was.

 

[GPB]

Picture the possible scene:

The LEO was serving a high risk warrant. Seldom is this type of planned, full loadout event, done with mere pistols, and people have to be cuffed upon discovery (very common).

The shotgun he was using, as many are in these units, was probably a Class 2 which means it had a very short barrel, and wasn't much longer than a sub gun.

He enters a room, identifies and orders a "threat" (tac term) to the ground, positions himself over the threat to place his knee in the threats back (ensuring his subdued status), and reaches for Zip Cuffs to permanently subdue the threat until the residence is cleared.

When he kneels his barrel is met with resistence moving the stock and trigger over to his left side about the shoulder area. Trigger subsequently gets engaged by something and unintentially discharges.

I agree with you that cuffing is not best served when using a long gun, and the officer should have changed the slung position of the weapon to his rear....but this brings to mind far more potential problems than we need to get into here. Simple solution, engage the safety of the weapon before performing the secondary task.

but....it is doubtful that his mind can think of EVERYTHING during an intense dynamic engagement (that is why the safety point needs to become autonomic), and likewise doubtful any LEO would enter a building to serve a "high risk warrant" with a potentially less than "ballistically efficient" weapon.

Good point, but not likely during these types of planned, "high risk" operations.

 

[armlok]

Good point on the long gun. when prisoner searching etc., weapon belongs slung to your back, cover man provides b/u. Only basing my opinion on my limited military training, but this was constantly stressed and was the procedure to be followed. Training and procedures need to be reviewed, the sad thing is someone is going to take a hit over this type of mistake, headhunters always looking for a fallguy.
I never used any fancy type slings but, don't most allow you to quickly and easily position weapon behind you? The euros used this types of slings, us GIs had standard carry slings.

 

[CJ Caracci]

GPB,
I like that subject matter being addressed on this forum so that every one knows it is fair game.
I am not entirely familiar with the story but fundamentally I would not disagree with you one bit. This is valuable info.

I would however like to remind everyone of the Four Basic Safety Rules:
1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
2. NEVER POINT AT ANYTHING UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO KILL OR DESTROY IT.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger untill your sights are on target.
4. Know your target and what is beyond.

If one follows all of these saftey guidlines, it will be very hard to make a mistake.

My people also remember that:
Your primary safety on any weapon is your head(think).
Your secondary safety on any weapon is your trigger finger.
Thirdly your safety would be the weapons mechanical safety which you can't always trust.

 

[GPB]

Thanks CJ!

Good info needs to be passed along. Especially to LEO's.