Gun Control & RKBA

Bullets are composed of a casing enclosing an explosive powder charge, which, on striking, forces the end projectile element out at speeds of up to 1,500 metres/second, dependent on the ammunition and type of gun. The most important factors in causing significant injury or death are their placement and projectile path. The head and torso are the most vulnerable areas, with incapacitation due to CNS disruption or massive organ destruction and haemorrhage.[1] The extent of tissue and organ trauma will depend on terminal ballistics, which are influenced by the type of bullet, its velocity and mass as well as the physical characteristics of the penetrated tissue.

Injury is inflicted in a number of ways:

Firstly, the projectile crushes structures along its track, similar to other forms of penetrating injury. Temporary cavitation causes shearing and compression, sometimes tearing structures (as with solid abdominal viscera) or stretching inelastic tissue (the brain is particularly susceptible), analogous to blunt trauma. As tissues recoil and hot gases dissipate, soft tissue collapses inwards with the permanent cavity being the resultant defect.[2] Bullets which display greater yaw will be associated with increased temporary cavitation.
Secondly, kinetic energy transfer occurs during retardation of the bullet and this may cause damage outside the tract. Factors influencing the efficiency of kinetic energy transfer include:
Kinetic energy of a body which is proportional to mass and velocity.
Projectile's deformation and fragmentation.
Entrance profile and path travelled through the body.
Biological characteristics of the transit tissues.

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