26-07 - Use of Mobile Firearm Clearing Traps
USE OF MOBILE FIREARM CLEARING TRAPS
OVERVIEW
In furtherance of the Department’s commitment to employee and community safety, use of a mobile firearm clearing trap is recommended for field personnel when rendering a firearm safe for transportation or storage. Confiscated firearms are inherently dangerous to handle both to Department members, as well as the public. Lack of maintenance, modifications, and/or home manufacturing can complicate the safe unloading of ammunition in a confiscated firearm, increasing the possibility of an unintentional discharge. As a mitigation effort, the Department has outfitted a contingent of field supervisor vehicles and patrol cars with mobile firearm clearing traps. Department members should consider utilizing a mobile firearm clearing trap when faced with a firearm that must be rendered safe.
DEFINITION
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Mobile Clearing Trap: A portable bullet containment device normally mounted in a Department vehicle. It is intended for use in the field to safely clear and render firearms safe.
CONSIDERATIONS
Department members are reminded to exercise the highest level of caution, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling firearms under any circumstance, whether on or off duty. The use of a mobile clearing trap is consistent with the Department’s highest priority: safety.
USE OF A MOBILE CLEARING TRAP
When a firearm must be rendered safe in the field, and the involved Department member is familiar with the safe handling of that specific firearm, the member should request the response of a vehicle equipped with a mobile clearing trap.
Department members should exercise extreme caution when utilizing a mobile clearing trap. No person should be in the direction of the muzzle. No person should be inside of a vehicle when a mobile clearing trap is used. A mobile clearing trap should only be used when the muzzle of the firearm can be fully inserted into the trap opening.
Mobile clearing traps should only be utilized with firearms and calibers for which the device is rated, as specified by the manufacturer and the Weapons Training Unit. The “Guardian” compact clearing trap is designed to contain standard handgun rounds up to a .44 caliber Magnum.
All devices should be clearly marked with their caliber specifications. In any circumstances where it cannot be determined that the trap can safely capture the projectile, the trap should not be used.
SERVICING CLEARING TRAPS
Anytime a firearm is discharged into a clearing trap, a notification should be made to the Weapons Training Unit (WTU) at the Biscailuz Center Armory (323) 267-2730 during normal business hours. The WTU will conduct an inspection of the clearing trap and replace the interior rubber block wedge if the trap is determined to be suitable for continued use. The WTU may remove, replace, or relocate any Department clearing trap as it deems necessary. Department members should notify the WTU if a safety, structural integrity, or usability issue is identified. All applicable guidelines for handling unintentional discharges still apply.
When a Department vehicle equipped with a clearing trap is removed from the fleet, Communications and Fleet Management Bureau (CFMB) should relocate the trap to a similar vehicle within the respective unit’s fleet.
CLEARING TRAP UNAVAILABLE
When a clearing trap is not available, not designed for the specific firearm, or cannot be utilized for any reason, another safe area should be identified for safely unloading a firearm. A safe backstop should be identified that reasonably appears capable of stopping a fired projectile, while reducing the risk of deflection. These areas include, but are not limited to, patches of soft dirt or grass. Areas should be free of objects that could cause ricochet, such as rocks or other debris. Care must be taken to ensure people are not around or in the path of any potentially fired projectile.
Department personnel unable to render a firearm safe, should refer to the instructions outlined in MPP 5-09/180.00 – Firearms Processing.
MOUNTING STYLES
Trap installed in a Chevy Tahoe’s driver’s side rear passenger area.
Trap installed in a Ford Explorer’s rear trunk area’s right corner.
RANGE SYSTEMS GUARDIAN COMPACT CLEARING TRAP
Manufacturer Specifications:
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Weight: 13 Pounds
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Dimensions: 11.5” x 4” x 4.5”
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Composition: Consists of ¼” AR500 steel and Dura-Bloc Ballistic Rubber.
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Maintenance: Dura-Bloc must be replaced and inspected if shot.
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Safely captures rounds up to 44-Magnum.
REFERENCES