I watched a shootout in Tulsa many years ago. I’ve spent a fair amount of time on the range.
I can confirm it sounds like a cap gun going off in the open air.
I was 25-100 feet away from the (various) actions.
Of course it sounds like firecrackers! I didn’t deny that. What I said is that you are also told by professionals that it is not what you think it is. That this deputy could fall for it is amazing and horrifying.
I would have to respectfully disagree with you on this. I shoot 5.56. It’s very loud. It definitely does not sound like a cap gun.