PSWA Panel on Weapons for Writers
Unfortunately, I didn't get a photograph of this panel. The participants were:
John Schembra, Rich Wickliffe, Dave Freeland, Mark Bouton and Ron Corbin. Mike Black moderated.
Mike began the panel by pointing out that Americans have a fascination for guns.
When one of the retired officers was in the LAPD, everyone carried a .38 special.
Detectives changed to Glocks.
These are the weapons that were described: Smith and Wesson Semi-Automatic with 10 to 18 rounds.
Smith and Weston 357 Magnum
Shot Gun
45 Caliber pistols
FBI carried Glocks
Glocks are light and often carried by female officers
Officer learn to count the round.
Problems with movie and TV depictions:
A 2 oz. bullet doesn't fly through the walls.
Chambering rounds when there should have already been one in the chamber.
Poor weapon handling.
It only takes 2 seconds to empty an AR 15.
On the show 24, cellphones always has bars and a charged battery.
Guns still kick. There's a heavy drag on the first round.
Tailor the weapon to the character you are writing about.
When writing about a character in a different era be sure he/she carries the right weaon.
Not every police officer knows about every type of gun.
Police officers guns are inspected on a regular basis.
There is no safety on a revolver.
Mafia hits use 22s, the bullet bounces around inside someone.
This was an excellent panel--full of great information for writers.
John Schembra, Rich Wickliffe, Dave Freeland, Mark Bouton and Ron Corbin. Mike Black moderated.
Mike began the panel by pointing out that Americans have a fascination for guns.
When one of the retired officers was in the LAPD, everyone carried a .38 special.
Detectives changed to Glocks.
These are the weapons that were described: Smith and Wesson Semi-Automatic with 10 to 18 rounds.
Smith and Weston 357 Magnum
Shot Gun
45 Caliber pistols
FBI carried Glocks
Glocks are light and often carried by female officers
Officer learn to count the round.
Problems with movie and TV depictions:
A 2 oz. bullet doesn't fly through the walls.
Chambering rounds when there should have already been one in the chamber.
Poor weapon handling.
It only takes 2 seconds to empty an AR 15.
On the show 24, cellphones always has bars and a charged battery.
Guns still kick. There's a heavy drag on the first round.
Tailor the weapon to the character you are writing about.
When writing about a character in a different era be sure he/she carries the right weaon.
Not every police officer knows about every type of gun.
Police officers guns are inspected on a regular basis.
There is no safety on a revolver.
Mafia hits use 22s, the bullet bounces around inside someone.
This was an excellent panel--full of great information for writers.
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