Firearms & Defensive Tactics Flashcards
7 cards from real MPOETC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Firearms & Defensive Tactics flashcards as text
A suspect charges an officer from 21 feet away with an edged weapon. According to commonly taught law enforcement doctrine, what does this distance represent?
Answer: The Tueller Drill distance where a subject can close before an officer can draw and fire
The Tueller Drill (often called the '21-foot rule') demonstrates that an average person can close 21 feet before a typical officer can draw and fire an accurate shot.
What does 'cover' provide that 'concealment' does not?
Answer: Protection from ballistic penetration
Cover (e.g., engine block, concrete wall) stops or deflects bullets; concealment (e.g., bushes, drywall) only hides the officer visually.
Which MPOETC-recognized force option is considered one step below deadly force?
Answer: Less-lethal impact munitions or CEW (TASER)
Less-lethal options such as conducted energy weapons (CEW) and impact munitions fall just below deadly force on the use-of-force continuum.
During a low-light shooting scenario, what technique is used to illuminate the target while maintaining a two-handed grip on the pistol?
Answer: Harries technique
The Harries technique places the flashlight hand under the gun hand with crossed wrists, creating isometric tension that stabilizes the handgun in low light.
What is a 'squib load' and why is it dangerous?
Answer: A round with no powder that leaves the bullet lodged in the barrel, risking an obstruction explosion
A squib load has insufficient propellant, causing the bullet to become lodged in the bore; firing another round into the obstruction can cause catastrophic barrel failure.
Which technique is recommended when an officer must draw a firearm while seated in a patrol vehicle?
Answer: Lean forward, push back the seatbelt, then draw and cant the muzzle upward
Leaning forward clears the seat back, pushing back or breaking the seatbelt allows access to the holster, and canting avoids snagging on the seat or dash.
What is the primary purpose of the 'interview stance' (also called the 'protective stance') used during field interviews?
Answer: To blade the body and keep the weapon-side away from the subject
The interview stance blades the body so the strong-side (weapon) hip is turned away from the subject, reducing the risk of a gun grab while enabling a defensive response.