Firearms Policy 1300-10-01

What allows correctional officers to use deadly force?

Chapter 13, Article 27 of the Maryland Annotated Code.

What are the parts of the shotgun?

Carrier, Receiver, Magazine Tube, Magazine Cap, Muzzle, Trigger Guard, Trigger Pin, Ejection Port, Extractor, Breech Bolt, Fore End, Action Bar Lock/Release, Front Sight, Stock, Barrel, Barrel Clamp, Safety Mechanism.

What are the shot ranges for the shotgun?

Combat Range = 40 yards; Maximum Effective Range = 100 yards; Lethal Range = 200 yards; Maximum Flight Range = 750 yards.

What are the shot patterns at various distances?

7 yards = 4-inch circle; 15 yards = 10-inch circle; 25 yards = 15-inch circle; 40 yards = 30-inch circle.

What are the parts of shotgun ammunition?

Plastic body, buckshot pellets, primer, anvil, polymer buffering, crimp seal, wad, plastic H-wad, smokeless powder charge, brass head.

What are the carrying positions for the shotgun?

Port Arm, Low Ready, Hip Rest.

When can you use a shotgun and not write a DCA-36?

During training.

What is another name for the Low Ready carry position?

Rhodesia Carry.

How often is shotgun ammunition rotated?

Quarterly (every 3 months).

How often is the shotgun rotated?

At the beginning of each calendar year.

Who rotates shotgun and ammunition?

The Training Department.

What length are DOCR shotgun barrels and what is the total ammunition capacity?

18-inch barrel with a 7-round capacity.

What type of shotgun is used by DOCR?

Remington 870P Police 12-Gauge Pump Action.

Is the Remington 870P considered offensive or defensive?

Offensive shotgun.

What type of weapon is the shotgun considered?

Ballistics.

What is the approved Federal Brand shotgun ammunition?

Tactical Police Load 12 Gauge, 2¾-inch, 9 pellet, copper-plated 00 buckshot.

What is the approved shotgun ammunition?

Tactical Police Load 12 Gauge, 2¾-inch, 9 pellet, copper-plated 00 buckshot.

What is the muzzle velocity of the approved ammunition?

1325 feet per second.

What are the fundamentals of a good shot?

Target/Sight Picture, Standing Position, Sight Alignment, Breath Control, Trigger Control.

At what yardage do most police and correctional combat encounters occur?

7 yards or less.

What is the recommended maximum range for correctional use where 7 or 8 pellets remain in a 30-inch circle?

40 yards.

What are the three circumstances in the Jeopardy Triangle?

Intent, Means, Opportunity.

Can you shoot if there are bystanders around the target?

No, unless self-defense outweighs the danger to bystanders.

What kind of firearms are allowed to be used by DOCR officers?

Only department-issued and authorized firearms.

What are officers authorized to do when pursuing an inmate?

Pursue on foot only if there is a chance of apprehending the escapee.

What are officers not authorized to do when pursuing an inmate?

No vehicle pursuits and no pursuit into another county.

If an escapee is armed with a firearm, can pursuit continue beyond DOCR property?

No.

How is apprehension of an escapee made outside the facility?

As a citizen's arrest because correctional officers do not possess arrest authority.

What should be considered before taking a shot at an escapee? (BBDS)

Bystanders, Backdrop, Distance, Shot Spread.

What should be considered regarding bystanders before taking a shot?

Ensure the scene is safe and bystanders are not endangered.

What should be considered regarding backdrop before taking a shot?

Whatever goes up comes down; know what is behind the target.

What should be considered regarding distance before taking a shot?

Know the distance to the target.

What should be considered regarding shot spread before taking a shot?

Know how far the pellets will spread at that distance.

What must be considered before firing a shot?

Can the threat reach you; is there a delivery system (gun, knife, etc.); has someone been placed in jeopardy; do you perceive a real threat; is the threat immediate.

What are common shooting technique errors?

Cheek not on stock, wrong eye open, not leaning at the waist, rushing shots, poor trigger technique, weight not on front leg.

What are the Officer Survival Rules?

Seek cover if fired upon; don't be afraid to shoot back; carry extra ammunition; beware of surroundings and bystanders; contact Main Control at first opportunity; use strong verbal directives.

At what distance will buckshot penetrate a car door and strike a person inside?

Approximately 25 feet.

If an inmate jumps off the roof and runs toward Route 270, should you shoot?

No.

Why should you not shoot at an inmate running toward Route 270?

You must consider backdrop, traffic on Route 270, shot spread, and risk to bystanders.

If the escapee is not armed, should you shoot?

No, because there is no immediate threat that justifies risking harm to bystanders.

Are you required to give a halt order before firing at an escapee?

No, but it may be given if possible.

Can you fire a warning shot?

No. Warning shots are unsafe and waste ammunition.

What can result from abuse of firearms authority?

Civil or criminal liability. Deadly force is authorized only as a last resort.

Why should you never unload a shotgun by cycling shells through the chamber?

Each shell passing through the chamber increases the risk of accidental discharge.

What does a shotgun represent to the officer?

The officer's authority.

What is the action bar lock on the shotgun?

A control on the front left side of the trigger guard that releases the locking block assembly so the fore-end can move rearward.

What are the shotgun safety checks?

Safety on, fingers off trigger, point in a safe direction, no ammunition in the magazine or chamber.

What are the five maintenance checks before using a shotgun?

Check stock for damage, ensure bead sight is present, inspect fore-end operation, inspect trigger pins, inspect barrel for bends or obstructions.

When should officers carry the shotgun in the Low Ready position?

During outside security checks when outside the vehicle.

When do you shoot from the Low Ready position?

When there is no time to align sights and the threat is within 15 yards and closing.

Can you shoot to disable?

Yes, except in situations involving self-defense or serious offenses against persons.

What are the shooting positions?

Standing Point Shoulder Position, Low Ready, Kneeling Position.

How can a loading jam occur?

Not fully inserting a round, damaged brass, faulty timing latches, faulty magazine spring, or faulty extractor.

How do you load the shotgun?

Safety on, fore-end forward, weapon upside down, loading port up, insert shells brass-end rearward until a click is heard. Load up to 6 shells in the magazine with none in the chamber.

How do you unload the shotgun?

Turn upside down, push shell carrier into receiver, depress shell latch, remove shells one at a time, inspect magazine and chamber.

How do you unload the shotgun when a round is chambered?

Safety on, point in safe direction, depress action bar lock, pull slide rearward, release chambered shell, unload magazine tube, inspect chamber and magazine.

How do you perform a combat load?

Open the action and load a shell directly into the ejection port, then close the action.

What is a combat load?

Loading a shell directly into the ejection port when the shotgun is empty so it can be chambered immediately.

What is a loading jam?

A shell slips rearward above the shell carrier but below the closed breech bolt, preventing loading and operation.

How do you clear a single-shell loading jam?

Notify others, point weapon safely, safety on, depress action bar lock, pull slide rearward, inspect shell, replace damaged shell, remove weapon from service if unsuccessful.

What is a feed failure?

Two shells feed into the receiver head-to-toe. Separate them, remove one shell, close the action, and reload the other.

What is a magazine failure?

The magazine fails to release a shell when opening the action.

How do you fix a magazine failure?

Close and reopen the action. If unsuccessful, manually release the shell. If still unsuccessful, disassemble if required and remove the weapon from service.

How do you chamber a round?

Depress the action bar lock, pull the fore-end fully rearward to release a shell, then push the fore-end fully forward to chamber it.

What is an extraction failure?

The extractor fails to pull the empty shell from the chamber after firing.

How do you fix an extraction failure?

Remove the shell with a paper clip, fingernail, similar object, or cleaning rod. Remove weapon from service if unsuccessful.

What are reasons to remove the shotgun from the gun box/drop?

Mobile and fixed posts, crowd and riot control, delivering chemical agents, and employing deadly force.

What must be done whenever the shotgun is discharged except during training?

Submit a written report to the Warden through the Deputy Warden of Custody and Security detailing the incident.

What are the three types of shotgun cleaning?

Type 1 Normal Cleaning, Type 2 Disassembly Cleaning, Type 3 Long-Term Storage Cleaning.

Are firearms allowed in the secured portion of the facility?

No. They are authorized only outside the secured portions of MCCF/MCDC.

What are the two types of escapes?

Direct Escape and Indirect Escape.

What is the capacity of the shotgun magazine?

6 shells in the magazine, none in the chamber during loading.

What is the total ammunition capacity of the shotgun?

7 Rounds

What is the maximum flight range of a shotgun round?

750 Yds

What happens if a shell is dented during a loading jam?

Replace it

What should happen if a loading jam cannot be cleared?

The weapon should be taken out of service.

What should happen if a magazine failure cannot be corrected?

 The weapon should be taken out of service

What should happen if an extraction failure cannot be corrected?

The weapon should be taken out of service.

What direction should the barrel be pointed when unloading a chambered round?

Toward the ground or earing barrel.

What is the purpose of the action bar lock?

To release the locking block assembly so the fore-end can move rearward.

What is the approved buckshot

Copper-plated 00 buckshot, 9 pellet.