This is an outlier example even for LE shootings.
Part of the problem with trying to assess the value of a collection of statistics based on personal memory of various reported incidents is that the LE shootings that make the news are the ones that are out of the ordinary for some reason. The more "typical" shootings either aren't reported or get only a line or two of exposure that reveals nothing of substance about the details of the incident.The standard for having some utility in this context isn't that each LE shooting needs to "mirror" civilian shootings, merely that some parameters, (in this case shots fired and distances at which they are fired) need to show at least a rough similarity on average.The NRA ACA is actually a fairly poor source for compiling data on self-defense shootings because the incidents are very carefully selected for inclusion. They report only incidents that are clearcut self-defense and only ones that are successful.
It doesn't seem like an outlier to me, John. TOTAL shots fired, yes, but not average or the distance or the basic scenario.
I agree that what matters are the parameters but I conclude that those parameters are not sufficiently similar, in fact seem opposite.
I also agree that the LE incidents that make the news are typically "extraordinary" but the ones we discuss and can watch on YouTube, etc, aren't all that extraordinary.
Yes, the NRA numbers come from "confirmed " SD and only successful ones but isn't that what we want to know?i don't want to know about claimed SD that was criminal. Unsuccessful events are not included but I don't know why that would skew the numbers, except that perhaps the more shots you need the less likely you are to succeed?
I don't know. I just don't see any relevance.
I've watched a boat load of police shooting videos and talked to officers who have been in shootings or have debriefed officers who have, and obviously all have trained for it.
I've also watched a boat load of SD videos, discussed scenarios, etc. They're not similar, at all, IMO.
SD is usually very close, very unexpected and very short duration. Police shootings tend to be longer distances, planned in the sense of intentional involvement, longer ranges and far more shots fired.
Ultimately, I conclude that while there almost certainly is valuable information in specific LE statistics, the value is not in a table of numbers because the average incident is very much different than an average SD incident.
Specific scenarios, yes. Averages, not helpful.