[Pharmboy]

In another drill, in a "shoot house" where visitors could observe from a bulletproof balcony, three marshals fired semiautomatic pistols, Sig Sauer 229's loaded with .357-caliber rounds, to bring down three hijackers. There is a protocol, firing bullets in sets of three.

"Two to the chest, one upstairs; two to the chest, one upstairs," said Brad Delauter, a senior instructor. The marshals are supposed to be able to fire three shots in 6 seconds; in 15 seconds they are supposed to fire three, reload and fire another three. Their guns, Swiss-designed and German-built, hold 13 rounds but in training are loaded with 3 to require frequent reloading.

I always thought it was one and one, not two and then one. Why two to the chest? More likely immediate stopping power? Any pros out there with an answer? Thanks in advance.

[Terridan]

The chest IS a much easier target, of a moving target... the final "head" shot is the certain, "permanent" shot we all would prefer to see... versus the lengthy court drama of the poor, misguided terrorists.

[cryptical]

The two to the chest, one to the head is called a Mozambique drill. It's supposed to simulate a course of action for a target wearing body armor.

[Bogey78O]

In the sake of diversity I hope they include Americans and legal immigrants in these drills. We need a diverse group to represent America including armed arab sky marshalls. /humor

[Still Using Air]

"Another part of the training is how to find a bomb in carry-on baggage while the plane is in flight, and where in the passenger cabin to put it to reduce the chance that it will make the plane crash."

  Just a thought, but why can't planes have some sort of chamber area in the bottom of the plane, with an bottom exterior door, and an interior door, that a suspected bomb can be placed in, the interior door closed, and the bottom door opened to release the 'bomb' outside the plane? No loss of cabin pressure that way and bomb-b-gone.

[stlrocket]

This seems like such a waste of time and money. After all --- how could anyone get past the new "Federalized" Security?

I FEEL SAFER NOW

WHAT - NO BAR-B-QUE CHIPS

[NerdDad]

Was taught this procedure in USAF security training. First shots are to the body mass for stopping/slowing, and because the body is easier to hit. Head shot is the sure-kill in case the assailant is wearing a vest. Even with the vest, two shots to the chest is going to knock them down, make the head easier to hit. I have no doubt we have some folks on FR who can/will provide first hand accounts of the value and limitations of vests in this regard.

[gunnut]

Dominate + Intimidate = Control

Pretty much describes the federal government in a nutshell.

[CARepubGal]

When my Sherriff buddy taught me to shoot his Beretta his pattern was one to the head two to the body. Kind of a triangular pattern. Nice gun too.