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[Once again: risk of injury caused by blank pistols]
Insights
Blank pistols, often considered harmless, can cause severe injuries, including skull perforation, when fired at close range. Stricter controls are needed for these dangerous weapons.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Ballistics
- Public Health
Background:
- Blank pistols are frequently used in Hamburg, with 300-400 cases annually.
- A study analyzed 34 head and neck wound cases from blank pistol use between 1989 and 1999.
- These cases included 8 suicides and no homicides.
Observation:
- The study investigated injury patterns from close-range blank pistol shots.
- Seven specific cases were examined in detail to understand the injuries.
- Analysis focused on the severity and nature of wounds inflicted by blank cartridges.
Findings:
- Blank cartridge pistols can inflict severe injuries, contrary to their 'harmless' perception.
- Close-range shots can lead to penetration of body cavities and organs, particularly in the head and neck.
- Skull perforation is a documented risk associated with blank pistol use.
Implications:
- The findings support warnings from experts about the dangers of blank pistols.
- There is a need for enhanced regulation and control of blank cartridge weapons.
- Public safety necessitates a re-evaluation of the accessibility and perceived risk of these firearms.
Abstract:
The nature and extent of the use of blank pistols in Hamburg (according to the Hamburg crime statistics about 300 to 400 such cases per year; 34 cases involving head and neck wounds from 1989 to 1999 were investigated at our institute; among these 8 suicides, no homicide) as well as patterns of injuries caused by close distance blank pistol shots were analysed. 7 of these cases are described in detail. The results of our studies corroborate the warning statements made by many criminological and medico-legal experts regarding the danger inherent in these allegedly harmless weapons. Blank cartridge pistols can, when shot from a close distance, cause most severe injuries involving penetration into body cavities and bodily organs (especially in the head and neck), and even perforation of the skull. Therefore, we call for a much stricter control of weapons of this kind.