Would you instantly recognize the sound of gunshots?
- Thread starter thawntex
- Start date
Beauhooligan
Moderator
I live in a very bad neighborhood, and since I became disabled and lost my Good Lady Wife I simply do not have the income to relocate. We have at least one Mexican gang, a black gang, two asian gangs, and one gangs that is made out of outcasts from the others. I hear gunshots at least every other night. I'm very good at picking gunshots out of normal background noise; especially when I hear 4 9mms followed by three shotgun booms, and a few more popgun rounds, then a squeal of tires. About a week ago I heard a car coming down my street making the following pattern; two 9mm shots, a sudden acceleration of the car then screech of brakes, then the pattern repeated. I turned off the lights, grabbed the phone and called 911, and got the Mini-30 out of the safe. When I told the 911 operator what I was hearing, she asked how I knew what I was hearing, I told her I was a Vietnam Combat Veteran, former cop, and a continuing shooter. She asked if I wanted to have a car stop by I said yes. The officers that came to the door told me that yes, I had made the right call; the BGs had shot into 5 houses, seemingly at random, but had gotten away clean. I don't know about others, but I can pick gunfire out quite easily. A side note. On Tet, July 4th, and New Years Eve I take my dog and a couple of guns and spend the night with some friends on a ranch outside of Clements. With my background, being awakened by gunfire in the dark really messes with my head.
phroggunner
Inactive
In my experience, how quickly you correctly identify a gunshot or similar noise for what it is is dependent on three factors:
1. Your experience with aforementioned noises.
2. How much you expect to hear them in that particular environment.
3. The proximity and succession of the noises
While at a firing range you expect to hear gunfire, and your ears are conditioned for it. You might even be able to determine what is being fired. Anywhere else, not only will the noise sound different because of distance or other obstacles between you and the gunshot, but it will also take longer for your brain to register what it really is.
I remember when on my first overseas deployment, the first time I heard incoming mortar fire, it took me a few seconds to figure out what it was. Not long after that it was very natural to quickly react to that same sound, and distinguish between the noises of rockets, mortars, and outgoing artillery. Upon returning home, I was still conditioned for those noises. For a couple weeks at least, even the sound of a slamming freezer lid (WHUMP!) would nearly make me hit the deck. If I were to hear the same noises today, I would definitely not recognize the sound nearly as quickly, because I am not expecting it. I realize comparing explosives to gunshots is apples and oranges (I doubt anyone is gonna snap and start lobbing mortars at the local wal-mart), but the same principle still applies.
Though I've fired and heard way too many gunshots to count (like everyone else here I'm sure), the realist in me seriously doubts my ability to quickly identify a gunshot for what it is in an environment that I am not expecting it. With that being said, some sounds can give away gunshots much more easily. A gun fired in rapid succession is much less mistakable than a single gunshot, and the shear volume of a gunshot in close proximity rules out just about any other possibility.
Spending time at the firing range may give you a little edge in identifying gunfire, but don't overestimate it.
1. Your experience with aforementioned noises.
2. How much you expect to hear them in that particular environment.
3. The proximity and succession of the noises
While at a firing range you expect to hear gunfire, and your ears are conditioned for it. You might even be able to determine what is being fired. Anywhere else, not only will the noise sound different because of distance or other obstacles between you and the gunshot, but it will also take longer for your brain to register what it really is.
I remember when on my first overseas deployment, the first time I heard incoming mortar fire, it took me a few seconds to figure out what it was. Not long after that it was very natural to quickly react to that same sound, and distinguish between the noises of rockets, mortars, and outgoing artillery. Upon returning home, I was still conditioned for those noises. For a couple weeks at least, even the sound of a slamming freezer lid (WHUMP!) would nearly make me hit the deck. If I were to hear the same noises today, I would definitely not recognize the sound nearly as quickly, because I am not expecting it. I realize comparing explosives to gunshots is apples and oranges (I doubt anyone is gonna snap and start lobbing mortars at the local wal-mart), but the same principle still applies.
Though I've fired and heard way too many gunshots to count (like everyone else here I'm sure), the realist in me seriously doubts my ability to quickly identify a gunshot for what it is in an environment that I am not expecting it. With that being said, some sounds can give away gunshots much more easily. A gun fired in rapid succession is much less mistakable than a single gunshot, and the shear volume of a gunshot in close proximity rules out just about any other possibility.
Spending time at the firing range may give you a little edge in identifying gunfire, but don't overestimate it.
LOL.kayla said:
I know what a gunshot sounds like. I have heard them over the phone and its pretty distinct. A 22 snips, a 9mm cracks, a 40 pops and a 45 bangs. You can hear differences in each caliber shot. I am not saying I will know what caliber the gun is, what I am saying is at the range they have very different sounds and in the street a gun shot is a gun shot.
Maybe in a club I can see if but if I don't see balloons then idk *** is going on. Besides, clubs in GA don't let no one in with any guns or weapons.
armsmaster270
New member
Besides, clubs in GA don't let no one in with any guns or weapons.
Do they search or is it on the honor system
Do they search or is it on the honor system
I normally do.
I'm rather familiar with gunfire. They have a distinctive 'abruptness' that doesn't conform to fireworks or back fires.
On the other hand, being bounced around several corners and walls and passing through doors might alter the characteristics.
I'd like to think I would.
I'm rather familiar with gunfire. They have a distinctive 'abruptness' that doesn't conform to fireworks or back fires.
On the other hand, being bounced around several corners and walls and passing through doors might alter the characteristics.
I'd like to think I would.
If you want to scare your parents...
Setting a "popped" drywall nail on an interior wall (in the hallway) using a drywall hammer, sounds suspiciously like a .32 going off in the house...
Or maybe Dad was a little extra jumpy because my youngest brother tried to off himself with one two weeks before...
Setting a "popped" drywall nail on an interior wall (in the hallway) using a drywall hammer, sounds suspiciously like a .32 going off in the house...
Or maybe Dad was a little extra jumpy because my youngest brother tried to off himself with one two weeks before...
2cooltoolz
New member
You sound like a real fun guy...
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Catfishman
New member
I'm sure I could be fooled. There are many variables that change the sound and heard loudness of gun shot.
I once mistook a head-on car accident for a rifle shot. And long ago I shot a coyote from our deck with a 12 gauge. The shot didn't wake my parents even though their bedroom door and the outside door was open.
I once mistook a head-on car accident for a rifle shot. And long ago I shot a coyote from our deck with a 12 gauge. The shot didn't wake my parents even though their bedroom door and the outside door was open.
Yes, I have...
back in mid-80's, took the garbage to garage.
Just close the lids and lowering door, when I heard "Banging" like somebody pounding on a door. Walked to side door of house, then past to go to street.
Just past the side door, when light pop,pop,pop, came down from my right.
I hit the door (as I was back-lighted by motion detector yard light) and dialed 911.
Reported heard shots, gave address, indicated to was a specific direction from my house.
No follow-up by responding officer,but called the Chief's office and asked question that he could answer, basically a .25 was used from the house interior.
about four weeks laater got a supeona from defense and request to call a PI,
did a "criss-cross' directory on number then called the PD in that neighboirng town. Duty Supervisor confirmed the PI and recently left his PD.
Final result was a plea deal,for five years, no probation.
back in mid-80's, took the garbage to garage.
Just close the lids and lowering door, when I heard "Banging" like somebody pounding on a door. Walked to side door of house, then past to go to street.
Just past the side door, when light pop,pop,pop, came down from my right.
I hit the door (as I was back-lighted by motion detector yard light) and dialed 911.
Reported heard shots, gave address, indicated to was a specific direction from my house.
No follow-up by responding officer,but called the Chief's office and asked question that he could answer, basically a .25 was used from the house interior.
about four weeks laater got a supeona from defense and request to call a PI,
did a "criss-cross' directory on number then called the PD in that neighboirng town. Duty Supervisor confirmed the PI and recently left his PD.
Final result was a plea deal,for five years, no probation.
uncledewey
New member
Being around guns all my life, and serving in the Army, I am pretty certain that I am able to distinguish a shot from a gun from other such sounds. I think most everyone that has replied alludes to that the more familiar you are with guns the easier you can distinguish the sound. Even between weapons and calibers there are distinct sound, i.e. the crack of an AK versus an M-16 or M-14 is quite distinguishable. The bottom line I guess it's familiarity.
riggins_83
New member
I agree with that. Part of the problem is various calibers can sound so different according to local acoustics, environment, distance, objects/terrain between you and the shot (if any), etc etc....
I mistook a 69 Camaro with a 6.4 Liter engine, straight catback no headers revving as gunshots once. That thing backfired like nothing I've ever heard!
It depends on where I am and how the sound travels. In my youth we would cook up dry ice bombs and they were easily as loud as a shotgun blast, we put one in a dutch oven and it blew the lid over 30 feet in the air, its usually the traveling sound a gunshot makes though that gives it away for me.
i think they are too fast to start and stop to be mistaken. I mean, the sound is literally going at the speed of sound, so if you are at a distance, and you hear it with something behind you like a wall, it might even echo. never usually happens because the sound wave is so small and sharp that anything in the way will dissipate it.
Here is the kicker. If someone was using sound wave technology weaponry, would you be able to tell? I am talking about giant noise makers that make people run away or your ears bleed.
Here is the kicker. If someone was using sound wave technology weaponry, would you be able to tell? I am talking about giant noise makers that make people run away or your ears bleed.
This was an underground, illicit nightclub...and there were balloons around.
It was horribly surreal because after I found out it was gunfire, the lights were still down, music was still playing, and everyone was still dancing.
Pretty soon the SWAT team was outside and by then I guess everyone figured it out.
