Posted by Ron in ND on February 14, 1999 at 11:42:06:
In Reply to: Re: This stuff scares me,too. posted by Hot Rod on February 13, 1999 at 20:52:49:
I shouldn't have to explain the difference between taking aim
at a prairie dog and a human being. I've been through a week
of FBI's sniper training and there is a big difference between
being able to shoot and having to shoot to save someone's life.
(No, I am not an expert, nor do I play one on TV)
Try sitting with your target in the crosshairs for 2 to 12 hours
or more, waiting for the negotiating team to tell you there is no
other option available. You must keep the scope on the badguy as
they move around. You were just called out without notice and
didn't have time to take a dump before you left home. You don't
have the opportunity to select your shooting spot since the badguy
did that for you. It's 25 degrees, or it's -30 degrees windchill,
and it's not your choice if you shoot or not because you are not
with the negotiator, you only have a radio and will be told when
it is acceptable to shoot, when the negotiator feels it can't be negotiated
and you've had many opportunities to shoot, but weren't given the
okay, and you've been here for hours. OR you just pulled your
eyes away for a couple of seconds to rest them when you get the
call to shoot because someone sees something going on that you
can't see?
There is a lot more to it than I can put here, but can you see why
their gun's triggers have to be different?