Children's toys no longer: a porcine model study of the lethality of modern air rifles.

Publisher: Pasifika Medical Association Group Country of Publication: New Zealand NLM ID: 0401067 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1175-8716 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00288446 NLM ISO Abbreviation: N Z Med J Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2022- : Auckland : Pasifika Medical Association Group
Original Publication: Wellington : New Zealand Medical Association

Wounds, Gunshot* ; Firearms*; Child ; Humans ; Swine ; Animals ; Reproducibility of Results ; New Zealand ; Forensic Ballistics

Aims: We observed modern spring-loaded air rifles reaching velocities similar to small-bore rifles, raising concerns about their potential lethality. After encountering two life-threatening thoracic injuries in our practice, we conducted a study to assess the injuries that a commonly available air rifle could cause in a porcine cadaver model.
Methods: We conducted shooting experiments from 5 and 10 metres away using a .22 calibre spring-loaded airgun, firing five shots into the anterolateral chest on the left side at both distances. Additionally, we repeated the experiment with ten shots into 10% ballistics gel behind an explanted chest wall to evaluate chest wall penetration reliability.
Results: Out of the ten combined shots, six resulted in lethal or potentially lethal injuries, including multiple cardiac injuries. Moreover, we observed chest wall penetration in 9 out of 10 shots, with an average penetration depth of 106mm. Non-life-threatening injuries appeared to be influenced by shot location rather than an inability to penetrate the chest wall.
Conclusion: Our study raises significant concerns about the potential lethality of unrestricted air rifles in New Zealand. With muzzle velocities comparable to small-bore rifles, these firearms should be reconsidered in terms of regulation and possibly restricted to gun license holders.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
(© PMA.)

Date Created: 20240307 Date Completed: 20240311 Latest Revision: 20240311

20240311

10.26635/6965.6378

38452233