Use Of Air Guns Research Articles

Pengawasan Kepemilikan Senjata Jenis Air Gun dan Airsoft Gun di Indonesia: Perspektif Yuridis Normatif

The current phenomenon is that there are many cases of the use of air guns and airsoft guns whose true purpose is for sports activities, to be a tool to frighten, terrorize and injure other people. Another thing, the circulation of these types of weapons in the community, deserves attention from law enforcement, because they can cause various incidents. This study uses the normative juridical method, which is to carry out a juridical analysis regarding the ownership of air guns and airsoft guns in the laws and regulations in Indonesia. The results of the research are: the implementation of supervision is carried out by the police; supervision is carried out by means of checking and securing the implementation of permits, and carrying out investigations and investigations in the event of irregularities; also give warnings/sanctions and; as well as revoking licenses and withdrawing weapons. Owners of air guns and airsoft guns are obliged to: store firearms in the warehouse of the Indonesian Shooting Association (Perbakin) or Clubs or in a safe place when not in use; obey the rules; extend the license when the validity period expires; report to the police if the weapon is lost; do not bring weapons to locations that are not permitted; do not use for other purposes; and put an orange tip on the weapon. Suggestions that can be given include: The function of granting licenses in the sale and ownership of air guns and airsoft guns, should be more stringent, especially in terms of conditions that must be met; air guns and airsoft guns must have a manual and explain the dangers if misused. There are criminal sanctions against owners of air guns and airsoft guns who carry, display, and use these weapons in an inappropriate manner.

Розробка способу дистанційної доставки вогнегасних речовин у гантелеподібному контейнері

A geometric model of a new method of delivering extinguishing agents to the fire zone is proposed. The delivery idea is based on a mechanical throwing operation. For this, the substance is placed in a hard shell - a special container. After being delivered to the fire site by means of the launching device, the container must collapse and release a substance that will contribute to extinguishing the fire. New in the proposed method of delivery is the use of two weights spaced at a certain distance, connected by a rod. This modernization made it possible to abandon the traditional cylindrical containers and the use of air guns as launching devices. After all, the disadvantage of the "cannon" fire extinguishing technology lies in the difficulty of imparting axial rotation to the cylindrical container to ensure the stability of its movement. In the proposed method of delivery, the initiation of the movement of the dumbbell-container is carried out using a special launching device. It provides the simultaneous action of two explosive impulses directed at the centers of mass of each dumbbell weight in a pre-calculated manner. As a result of the start, the dumbbell acquires a rotational-translational movement in the vertical plane. To describe the dynamics of the dumbbell movement, a Lagrangian was determined, and a system of Lagrange differential equations of the second kind was compiled and solved. Examples of modeling the trajectories of the centers of mass of the dumbbell weights in the vertical plane are given. The main advantages of the new method include the possibility of separate delivery of extinguishing agents to the fire zone. Since there are substances for which the fire extinguishing effect is significantly increased as a result of their mixing directly in the combustion zone. Therefore, it is advisable to use the proposed delivery method as the basis for a new fire extinguishing technology

Towards the investigation of shooting incidents: evaluation of fracture pattern on polymethylmethacrylate sheet made by .22″ and .177″caliber air rifle

Scientific examination of the physical evidence provides significant information beyond a reasonable doubt. Due to the increasing use of the glassy polymer i.e. polymethylmethacrylate instead of glass, the probability of the occurrence of the fractured polymethylmethacrylate sheet in a shooting incident cannot be ignored. Analysis of fracture pattern offers several analytical approaches that assist the forensic investigator. The use of air guns in criminal activities is increasing as well as these weapons have found to be fatal for living beings. This study was conducted to evaluate the fracture pattern on the polymethylmethacrylate by using an air rifle. The fracture pattern formed on polymethylmethacrylate sheets by the air guns shows some specific characteristics that may help to reconstruct the crime scene. The polymethylmethacrylate sheets were test-fired with Spring-Piston air rifles of .22″ (5.5 mm) and .177″ (4.5 mm). Data obtained from the measurements were then statistically analysed with the Chi-Square test. A consistency in hole diameter was observed. Analysis of fracture patterns may provide a lead to the investigator and may help to reconstruct a shooting incident. It can also distinguish between the standard firearm and air gun. The fracture on polymethylmethacrylate sheets gave significant findings that may efficaciously contribute to the forensic investigation of shooting incidences.

Effects of sound exposure from a seismic airgun on heart rate, acceleration and depth use in free-swimming Atlantic cod and saithe.

Airguns used for offshore seismic exploration by the oil and gas industry contribute to globally increasing anthropogenic noise levels in the marine environment. There is concern that the omnidirectional, high intensity sound pulses created by airguns may alter fish physiology and behaviour. A controlled short-term field experiment was performed to investigate the effects of sound exposure from a seismic airgun on the physiology and behaviour of two socioeconomically and ecologically important marine fishes: the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and saithe (Pollachius virens). Biologgers recording heart rate and body temperature and acoustic transmitters recording locomotory activity (i.e. acceleration) and depth were used to monitor free-swimming individuals during experimental sound exposures (18-60dB above ambient). Fish were held in a large sea cage (50m diameter; 25m depth) and exposed to sound exposure trials over a 3-day period. Concurrently, the behaviour of untagged cod and saithe was monitored using video recording. The cod exhibited reduced heart rate (bradycardia) in response to the particle motion component of the sound from the airgun, indicative of an initial flight response. No behavioural startle response to the airgun was observed; both cod and saithe changed both swimming depth and horizontal position more frequently during sound production. The saithe became more dispersed in response to the elevated sound levels. The fish seemed to habituate both physiologically and behaviourally with repeated exposure. In conclusion, the sound exposures induced over the time frames used in this study appear unlikely to be associated with long-term alterations in physiology or behaviour. However, additional research is needed to fully understand the ecological consequences of airgun use in marine ecosystems.

Analysis of glass fracture pattern made by .177\u2033 (4.5\xa0mm) Caliber air rifle

BackgroundGlass is the hard, amorphous solid. Glass fragments may be an evidence of great value encountered in the investigation of various types of offences. At the scene of occurrence, the glass may be fractured either as an intentional act or due to accident. Glass fractures are of paramount importance in shooting cases where firearm is used as it can provide significant information related to the occurrence and facilitates a variety of evaluations. In fact, fractography i.e. analysis of fracture pattern, is the means and methods for characterization of fractured units or fragments in order to study or identify the mechanism of such fractures. The study of fracture pattern of glass has been of long interest to the forensic community. The glass fracture pattern analysis is very useful to establish the sequence of events and to link together items of evidence and it is of paramount importance in such cases where firearm is used. Now, the use of air guns in criminal activities is an alarm to the law enforcement agencies. The main objective of this work is to analyze the pattern of the fractures on windowpane of various thicknesses with regular .177″/ 4.5 mm lead pellet fired through the .177″/ 4.5 mm caliber Air Rifle manufactured in India. The window panes were kept at front, perpendicularly and away at a fixed distance from the muzzle end of Air Rifle. Samples were measured and analyzed on some fixed parameters. To analyze the consistency, measurements were analyzed graphically and statically checked for the goodness of fit (Chi-Square Test).ResultThe graphical representation of the measurements of different samples shows regularity in the features and Chi Square test gives very significant information regarding the consistency.ConclusionThe hole diameter is ranging from 4.77 to 7.5 mm in case of air rifle. It can lead to distinguish the weapon by which fracture was made, whether it is standard or air weapon. The outcomes of this work on the windowpane by .177″/4.5 mm air rifles may be efficacious to forensic community.

Marine Vibroseis: shaking up the industry

Bill Pramik says that after decades of attempts to develop marine Vibroseis, the technology has developed to the point that it is now possible to do projects in the field. Use of airguns during acquisition in shallow waters is becoming increasingly restricted due to fears over their impact on marine mammals. Marine Vibroseis is one technique that could overcome this problem.

Effects of airgun sounds on bowhead whale calling rates in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

AbstractThis study assesses effects of airgun sounds on bowhead calling behavior during the autumn migration. In August–October 2007, 35 directional acoustic recorders (DASARs) were deployed at five sites in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Location estimates were obtained for >137,500 individual calls; a subsample of locations with high detection probability was used in the analyses. Call localization rates (CLRs) were compared before, during, and after periods of airgun use between sites near seismic activities (median distance 41–45 km) and sites relatively distant from seismic activities (median distance >104 km). At the onset of airgun use, CLRs dropped significantly at sites near the airguns, where median received levels from airgun pulses (SPL) were 116–129 dB re 1 μPa (10–450 Hz). CLRs remained unchanged at sites distant from the airguns, where median received levels were 99–108 dB re 1 μPa. This drop could result from a cessation of calling, deflection of whales around seismic activities, or both combined, but call locations alone were insufficient to differentiate between these possibilities. Reverberation from airgun pulses could have masked a small number of calls near the airguns, but even if masking did take place, the analysis results remain unchanged.

Air gun injury with deadly aftermath – Case report

In Republic of Macedonia the use of air guns is quite widespread. They are used mainly for target practice. They are regulated by the Law of Arms, where they are defined as pneumatic weapons. There is no legal limit on type or quantity of ammunition that one may possess. Our Institute performs at least 90% of the forensic autopsies in Macedonia. In this report we describe the only fatality by pneumatic weapon to come to our attention over the past 10 years. A 6-year-old girl was accidentally wounded by her brother when he and his father were trying a new air gun, a 4.5mm single shot, break barrel, spring piston air rifle manufactured in China under the brand "Westlake". She died within minutes. Autopsy showed cardiac tamponade due to penetration of the aorta. A 0.5g metal projectile, 4.5mm in diameter, with a pointed, conical shape, was recovered from the pericardial sac.

Effects of seismic exploration activities on bowhead whale call distribution in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea.

Airgun use during seismic exploration activities is known to cause a decrease in call detection rates (used here as a proxy for calling rates) in migrating bowhead whales. However, the received airgun sound levels at the whales, at which behavioral changes occur, are not known. To address this question 40 directional autonomous seafloor acoustic recorders (DASARs) were deployed in autumn 2008 at five sites along the migration corridor of bowhead whales during ongoing marine seismic exploration activities. Over 440 000 whale calls were detected and localized by triangulation. Concurrently, over 100 000 airgun pulses were detected and analyzed. The study area was divided into a hexagonal grid (hexagon width 1.75 km). The received level (SPL and cumulative SEL) of airgun sounds was modeled for each hexagon in the study area and each 15‐min period over the entire season, using information on the timing and location of airgun activities, the size of the airgun array being used, the depth of the DASARs recording the airgun sounds, and other covariates. Logistic regression was then used to model occurrence of whale calls as a function of received level, distance offshore, and other covariates. [Work supported by Shell Exploration and Production Company.]

Hydroacoustic measurements of the behavioral response of arctic riverine fishes to seismic airguns

Seismic surveys for hydrocarbon exploration in the Mackenzie River involve the use of airguns. Airguns produce a repetitive, intense, low-frequency sound that has the potential to cause physiological damage and behavioral changes in fishes. Some of these impacts have been documented in marine environments but few studies have been conducted in freshwater systems where the confining nature of the environment produces a different acoustic regime and could constrain possible fish response. In the current study, hydroacoustic surveys are conducted in the presence of airgun firing in the Mackenzie River to determine if fish behavior can mitigate or enhance the potential impact of this sound. It is shown that fish behavioral characteristics measured in this study are generally not changed by the presence of airgun noise. The most likely mechanism to facilitate a severe physiological effect in fishes from a mobile airgun firing is a herding response in front of the airgun, resulting in prolonged exposure to the noise. Analysis of tracked fish directional movement does not indicate that herding behavior occurs. Consequently, no evidence is found to indicate that fishes in this study would sustain severe physiological damage from this airgun seismic survey.

A reply

On behalf of Integral, a Sino-Australian Joint Venture manufacturer in China, and Fannin, the United Kingdom distributor, of the Integral® Silicone Reinforced Laryngeal Mask, I would like to address this serious but highly unusual report. Thorough investigation of the manufacture and distribution of this product has determined that this is an isolated incident. A full report has been submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the case has been closed. We would like to reassure customers that production and distribution are conducted under strict quality management systems which do not permit the use of airguns in any situation. No incidents, discrepancies or evidence have identified the possible use of airguns in our manufacturing and distribution processes which included air freight. Airguns are prohibited in China and possession is subject to criminal prosecution. As a precaution all stocks of Integral product in the United Kingdom were checked and verified as undamaged. It was noted however during the investigation that on release from Fannin during transportation and following arrival at the hospital, access to the product is possible where tampering could occur. Integral is an ISO and FDA approved facility for the manufacture of medical devices and has been subject to audit on behalf of Fannin. Fannin is an ISO-approved and licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler in the United Kingdom using Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved premises only for storage and distribution purposes. Fannin and Integral are confident that this isolated incident must have occurred while outside both of our facilities but assure customers that we will continue to be vigilant in relation to this matter. Integral® Silicone Reinforced Laryngeal Masks are exported worldwide and Fannin has being selling these for several years. This is the first and only complaint of this nature received on this excellent high quality device that assists anaesthetists during their daily clinical practice.

The inner ears of Northern Canadian freshwater fishes following exposure to seismic air gun sounds

An earlier study examined the effects of exposure to seismic air guns on the hearing of three species of fish from the Mackenzie River Delta in Northern Canada [Popper et al. (2005). "Effects of exposure to seismic airgun use on hearing of three fish species," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 117, 3958-3971]. The sound pressure levels to which the fishes were exposed were a mean received level of 205-209 dB re 1 microPa (peak) per shot and an approximate received mean SEL of 176-180 dB re 1 microPa(2) s per shot. In this report, the same animals were examined to determine whether there were effects on the sensory cells of the inner ear as a result of the seismic exposure. No damage was found to the ears of the fishes exposed to seismic sounds despite the fact that two of the species, adult northern pike and lake chub, had shown a temporary threshold shift in hearing studies.

The effect of exposure to seismic prospecting on coral reef fishes

Departamento de Zootecnia (Caixa Postal 19073, 81531-990, Curitiba, PR, Brazil) *wboeger@ufpr.br Effective management of marine environments requires an understanding of how natural communities are affected by anthropogenic perturbations. A potentially severe stress to these environments is the seismic prospecting of hydrocarbon deposits (Gausland, 2003). This method is based on the production of high intensity sound pulses, which are reflected by the ocean floor and recorded using very sensitive hydrophones. After being processed, these signals are used by researchers to generate a wealth of information about the topography of the ocean floor and its underlying geological formations. Given that the use of air guns is currently the most important method of seismic prospecting (Wardle

Evaluating the impact of seismic prospecting on artisanal shrimp fisheries

The constant need to discover new hydrocarbon deposits is causing the use of air-guns to become a very widespread method of seismic prospecting. However, there is still disagreement regarding their impact on the marine environment. This uncertainty is particularly severe in the case of shellfish, which account for a substantial share of commercial fisheries and seafood trade in many parts of the world. In this paper we report on the first study to explicitly assess the impact of seismic prospecting on shrimp resources. We measured bottom trawl yields of a nonselective commercial shrimp fishery comprising the Southern white shrimp, Litopenaeus schmitti, the Southern brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus subtilis, and the Atlantic Seabob, Xyphopenaeus kroyeri (Decapoda: Penaeidae), before and after the use of an array of four synchronized air-guns, each with 635 in 3 of total capacity, 2.000 psi, and peak pressure of 196 dB (re 1 μPa at 1 m). Our results did not detect significant deleterious impact of seismic prospecting on the studied species, suggesting that shrimp stocks are resilient to the disturbance by air-guns under our experimental conditions.

Effects of exposure to seismic airgun use on hearing of three fish species

Seismic airguns produce considerable amounts of acoustic energy that have the potential to affect marine life. This study investigates the effects of exposure to a 730 in.3 airgun array on hearing of three fish species in the Mackenzie River Delta, the northern pike (Esox lucius), broad whitefish (Coregonus nasus), and lake chub (Couesius plumbeus). Fish were placed in cages in the 1.9 m of water and exposed to five or 20 airgun shots, while controls were placed in the same cage but without airgun exposure. Hearing in both exposed and control fish were then tested using the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Threshold shifts were found for exposed fish as compared to controls in the northern pike and lake chub, with recovery within 24 hours of exposure, while there was no threshold shift in the broad whitefish. It is concluded that these three species are not likely to be substantially impacted by exposure to an airgun array used in a river seismic survey. Care must be taken, however, in extrapolation to other species and to fishes exposed to airguns in deeper water or where the animals are exposed to a larger number of airgun shots over a longer period of time.

Settlement reached in air gun use in ocean‐based seismic research

The U.S. National Science Foundation and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) have settled a lawsuit brought against NSF that had threatened to scuttle the use of air gun arrays for use in NSF‐sponsored seismic and geological studies at sea.The parties agreed to a 14 April dismissal of the suit.

Unusual homicide by air gun with pellet embolisation

A homicidal case by an air gun involving a 73-year-old woman who was found dead in her home is described. At autopsy, two gunshot wounds were observed on the left anterior chest and the right back. There was neither exit wound nor powder burns. The fatal pellet, 0.9g and 5.5mm diameter, penetrated the left anterior chest and the heart to cause cardiac tamponade (200ml) before lodging in the left subclavian artery. Death was due to cardiac tamponade.This case has exhibited two rare phenomena: homicide by an air gun and pellet embolisation. This is the first homicide case by use of air gun in Japan and demonstrates that although it may be rare, air guns can be used as potential homicidal weapons. This experience will alert our society and others on the potential hazards of air guns we have tended to regard as toys.

Sound in the oceans and its effect on marine mammals

Editor's note: The Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1972 is up for renewal by the U.S. Congress this year. Because amendments to this law could dramatically impact the use of air guns in U.S. waters, Jack Caldwell has prepared this summary of issues likely to be focal points during congressional hearings on this matter. John Richardson (LGL, Ltd.) and Roger Gentry (NMFS) contributed many helpful comments to this summary. In recent years, attention has increasingly focused on dramatically rising noise levels in the world's oceans and their possible effects on marine life (particularly marine mammals). The United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States are studying the effects of seismic survey noise on mammals and are requiring mitigation to help protect marine mammals from possible negative effects. In the United States, the groups most actively involved (and most aware of developments taking place) with regard to the overall noise issue include U.S. federal and state regulatory bodies such as the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Coastal Commission (CCC); biologists (particularly those interested in marine mammals); acousticians (especially those who study sound propagation in the oceans); groups that use sound in the oceans for research (U.S. Navy, U.S. Geological Survey, and numerous universities); and environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council. Less involved—at least until this point—is the oil industry, and perhaps less still is the shipping industry. The National Research Council conducted a study on this issue from 1992 to 1994 and concluded that the state of knowledge concerning the effects of noise on marine mammals is woefully lacking. Research is being conducted to improve the state of knowledge, but definitive work remains scarce. Key questions include:

The use of air weapons in attempted suicide

The use of airguns in attempted suicide is uncommon. In such instances, the surface wounds caused by discharged pellets may be inconspicuous or appear deceptively trivial to the medical examiner. Airgun pellets however are easily capable of penetratings the skull or abdominal cavity when fired at the close ranges involved in suicide attempts. The destructive power of these weapons at close range should not be underestimated. We describe three cases of attempted suicide and review the other nine cases reported in the medical literature: of the 12 suicide attempts there were three fatalities. Seventeen out of a total of 19 pellets fired penetrated either the cranial or peritoneal cavity or damaged deep structures. Most of the victims were male. The majority of wounds were right sided. Four of the attempts were extremely determined, involving repeated discharge of the airgun or the use of other means to effect suicide.

Air gun dangers.

The handgun debate in the UK has heard arguments about the use of air guns, which assumes small lead pellets have a limited tissue penetration and do not cause significant tissue damage unless a vital structure is directly hit. A study of air gun injuries in paediatric patients treated at the University of Louisville contradicts this belief.