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Can "tired bullets" be fatal?
Anar Gurbanov1, Merve Havan1, Fevzi Kahveci1
1Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Brain Injury
|January 22, 2026
Summary
Accidental firearm injuries from
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Ballistics
- Public Health
Background:
- Uncontrolled firearm acquisition is increasing.
- Accidental firearm injuries are a growing concern.
- The phenomenon of 'tired bullets' poses a unique risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of accidental firearm injury caused by a 'tired bullet.'
- To highlight the dangers associated with bullets falling back to Earth.
- To raise awareness about the increasing incidence of such injuries.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a six-year-old boy.
- Description of the physics of a bullet fired vertically.
- Analysis of the injury mechanism.
Main Results:
- The patient sustained an accidental firearm injury from a 'tired bullet.'
- The bullet lost velocity and fell due to gravity, causing injury upon impact.
- This type of injury is becoming more prevalent.
Conclusions:
- 'Tired bullet' injuries are a preventable public health issue.
- Stricter firearm control measures are needed.
- Education on firearm safety is crucial to mitigate these risks.
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