How To: Gun blasts from indoor shooting may cause brain damage - NYT

[john_marsten_1873]

“Target Shooting Could Be Causing Brain Injuries. We Measured The Danger”​

TL;DR shockwaves bouncing off those protective panels/dividers - common but not exclusive to indoor ranges - could be causing brain damage if they’re not specifically designed to absorb them.

Not my favorite news source but a great study. Hopefully we’ll see more in depth studies on this to reduce harm to everyone, especially military and armed professionals.

 

[Ron Swanson]

… .50 BMG indoors? Does that actually happen?

 

[Sloat]

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[matrix]

Recently went to an outdoor range and the person next lane was shooting an AR pistol and the concussions weren't pleasant.

 

[Dvrjon]

… .50 BMG indoors? Does that actually happen?

Once……just once!

 

[Dvrjon]

The solution to this is to remove the barriers and let the percussive blast dissipate. Flash suppressors vs. muzzle breaks would also help.

Or suppressors would help.

Unfortunately, look for CA to regulate gun ranges to alter their premises to attenuate the blast.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

… .50 BMG indoors? Does that actually happen?

I know of an indoor range that I go to occasionally that does allow it. I havnt seen someone shoot that caliber yet as if the person does shoot it they either stacked it deep already or happens to load it themselves. However I have seen someone shoot the .416 once but that was just a rental.

 

[recpark99]

Spent last weekend at my cousin's house in NV, we shot suppressed 9mm, 22lr, 6.5, .308. No issues here (didn't need hearing protection). If gov.org is so concerned about our hearing, maybe suppressors should be mandatory?

 

[Stratego]

The military has been looking into this as well and a lot of the larger caliber weapons produce unacceptably large concussion if you are experiencing it more than just intermittently. Silencers are probably a next big step to prevent billions in military disability claims.

 

[Dvrjon]

Quotes are from the report:

When shooting indoors, ensuring that the gun barrel extends beyond the booth can reduce exposure.

I try to do this, but the ROs tell me it annoys other shooters.

Attaching a suppressor or blast regulator to the muzzle to direct the blast forward and away from the shooter can also make a big difference. In The Times testing, the blast from firing an AR-15 rifle indoors measured as high as 1.7 P.S.I. When a blast regulator was added, the measurement fell to less than 0.5 P.S.I.

Suppressors and regulators are often used by law enforcement and the military, but they’re pricey, and suppressors are tightly regulated in some states and illegal in others.

So, can we now sue the Ca government for brain damage due to the prohibition of suppressors? They should be mandated…it’s for the children

Do we have a course of action due to the lack of state-financed and supported outdoor gun ranges?

Or, maybe it’s not the guns after all?

Age, fitness level, prior history of contact sports, pre-existing brain injuries and other factors may all make some people more vulnerable than others.

It’s our fault.

Choosing smaller caliber weapons and less powerful ammunition can also help.

 

[Dvrjon]

The military has been looking into this as well and a lot of the larger caliber weapons produce unacceptably large concussion if you are experiencing it more than just intermittently. Silencers are probably a next big step to prevent billions in military disability claims.

Do they make silencers for 155 mm guns? Asking for an Air Force friend.

 

[Stratego]

Do they make silencers for 155 mm guns? Asking for an Air Force friend.

AC-130 gunship crew not only end up with hearing issues, they get a bunch of different cancers.

 

[Jimi Jah]

50 BMG is banned in California. So are supressors.

 

[muffin_top]

Flash suppressors vs. muzzle breaks would also help.

Seriously. Featureless folks default muzzle device of choice seems to be muzzle brakes that mean anyone within eight lanes at an outdoor range is still getting messed up.

Everyone else wants the AW ban overturned for whatever. I want it overturned so the discourteous will hopefully switch to something besides a god damn muzzle brake.

 

[Dvrjon]

AC-130 gunship crew not only end up with hearing issues, they get a bunch of different cancers.

That's what happens when you fly with the windows open.
Also, we developed stealth aircraft. Once they drop their payload the enemy can't hear them.

 

[Jimi Jah]

So when is the New York Times coming out for legalized suppressors?

 

[SaddleUp]

I was always under the impression that all the keyboard pounding they do in the NYT newsroom caused brain damage to their employees

 

[BigBossman]

If the NYT published it, you know it's a lie.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

So when is the New York Times coming out for legalized suppressors?

Not so fast…it’ll be more like ranges will be required to make shooting lane barriers shock absorbent.

 

[Enfielder]

I guess those 81mm mortar rounds I hung weren't so good for me