Firearm Physics

David R. Thompson DVM

Deputy District Manager

USDA FSIS OFO

The uproar was appalling, perilous to the eardrums; one feared there was too much sound for the room to hold – that the walls must give way or the ceiling crack. There were high squeals and low squeals, grunts, and wails of agony; there would come a momentary lull, and then a fresh outburst, louder than ever, surging up to a deafening climax. It was too much for some of the visitors – the men would look at each other, laughing nervously, and the women would stand with hands clenched, and the blood rushing to their faces, and the tears starting in their eyes.  			Upton Sinclair – THE JUNGLE – 1905

Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906: Enacted June 30, 1906 

Regulations 9 CFR 313.15~mechanical - captive bolt
        - Shall be applied to the livestock so to:
        - Produce immediate unconsciousness before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, cut.
        - Rendered unconscious with minimum of excitement and discomfort
        - Driving animals with a minimum of excitement
        - Delivery of calm animals to stunning is essential to provide accurate placement
        - After the stunning blow, the animal shall be in a complete state of unconsciousness and remain in this condition......

Regulations 9 CFR 313.15~mechanical - captive bolt
        - General requirements
        - Penetrating
        - Physical brain destruction, concussion and pressure
        - Non-penetrating
        - Concussion and pressure
        - Actuated by measured gunpowder or compressed air
        - Such size and design that when properly positioned and activated, immediate unconsciousness is produced
        - Device is equipped with Safety features
        - “Must be maintained in good repair”
        - Stunning area
        - Designed and Constructed to limit “free movements” to allow the operator to locate the stunning blow with a high degree of accuracy
        - Free of pain producing features

Regulations 9 CFR 313.15~mechanical - captive bolt
        - Stunning Operation
        - Exacting procedure requiring a well-trained and experienced operator.
        - Able to accurately place the stunning instrument
        - Must use the correct detonating charge with regard to kind, breed, size, age, and sex of the animal to produce the desired results.
        - Charges suitable for smaller kinds of livestock such as swine or young animals are not acceptably interchanged for use on larger kinds or older livestock

Captive BoltREVIEW 

 Single Blow

 Immediate Unconsciousness

 Penetrating / Nonpenetrating

 Requires skilled operator

 Correct Position 

 Limit free movement 

 “Maintained in Good Repair”

BLITZ-KERNER

www.cotrancorp.com

9 mm centerfire

16 parts to clean / service

 Simple operation

349 dollars at qcsupply.com

Regulations 9 CFR 313.16~mechanical - gunshot
        - Shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile so as to produce immediate unconsciousness by a single shot before it is shackled hoisted thrown cast or cut.
        - The animal shall be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort
        - Driving of animals to the shooting areas shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort
        - Electrical equipment shall be used as little as possible with the lowest effective voltage
        - Accurate placement of bullet is difficult in nervous or injured animals

Regulations 9 CFR 313.16~mechanical - gunshot
        - Acceptable firearms dispatch free projectiles of varying sizes and diameters through the skull and into the brain – producing physical brain destruction and increased intracranial pressure causing unconsciousness
        - Caliber of firearm shall be such that when properly aimed and discharged, the projectile produces immediate unconsciousness
        - Immediately after the firearm is discharged and the projectile is delivered, the animal shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition.......

        - To assure uniform unconsciousness when small-bore firearms are used, it is necessary to use:
        - Hollow-pointed
        - Frangible iron-plastic composition (reduced ricochet)
        - Powdered iron missiles (close proximity)
        - Firearms must be maintained in good repair
        - Safety devices to prevent accidental discharge
        - Directed away from operating areas

Regulations 9 CFR 313.16~mechanical - gunshot

Regulations 9 CFR 313.16~mechanical - gunshot
        - Provisions in 313.15 (b)(1)(iii) apply 
        - Limit free movement of animal
        - Locate stunning blow with a high degree of accuracy
        - Free from pain producing features
        - Shooting Operation
        - An exacting procedure requiring a well-trained and experience operator
        - Accurately direct the projectile to produce immediate unconsciousness
        - Use the correct caliber, powder charge and ammunition type to produce the desired results.
        - In regard to bulls, rams, and boars, small-bore firearms may be used provided they are able to produce immediate unconsciousness

www.vetmed.ufl.edu

GunshotREVIEW 

 Single Blow

 Immediate Unconsciousness

 Penetrating 

 Requires skilled operator

 Correct Position 

 Correct Caliber & Ammunition

 Limit free movement 

 “Maintained in Good Repair”

Kinetic Energy (simplified)
        - Captive Bolt or Firearm
        - The ability of the projectile to render a stunning blow
        - KE = 1⁄2 mass X velocity2 ( squared)
        - 22 Cal short 	29 gr @ 727 fps 		= 34 ft-lbs
        - 22 Cal LR 	38 gr @1255 fps 		= 139.9 ft-lbs
        - 22 CCI “stinger”  32 gr @ 1640 fps	= 191.1 ft-lbs
        - 22 Mag  	40 gr @ 1910 fps		= 324 ft-lbs
        - 38 Special 	148 gr @ 710 fps		= 165.6 ft-lbs
        - 44 Cal   	200 gr @ 900 fps		= 359.7 ft-lbs
        - 308 Win	175 gr @ 2600 fps		= 2626 ft-lbs

Source: www.reloadammo.com/footpound2.htm

Kinetic Energy (KE)
        - Factors that reduce the KE
        - Powder that has been exposed to moisture
        - Build-up of powder residue/ debris in barrel 
        - Reduced velocity
        - 22 Cal LR 38gr @1000 = 84 ft-lbs (1/3 reduction in KE)
        - Captive bolt – reduced velocity
        - Blood, tissue & debris 
        - Clogged gas ports 
        - Damp cartridges

Determining Insensibility
        - “The head is dead”
        - Legs may kick – head & neck floppy
        - Lateral flexion of the neck (should subside in 20 sec)
        - Tongue is straight and limp; also the tail
        - Eyes should be wide open with a blank stare
        - Some nystagmus in electrically stunned animals
        - Return to sensibility
        - Curled tongue
        - Righting reflex & attempt to raise it’s head
        - Eye blink – corneal reflex
        - Rhythmic breathing
        - Vocalizing
        - Delayed Stun-Stick interval

Source: www.grandin.com

Regulatory non-compliance
        - 9 CFR 313.50 – Tagging of equipment, alleyways, pens to prevent humane slaughter or handling 
        - Facilities
        - Establishment employee
        - Improper Stunning
        - 9 CFR 500 – Rules of Practice (Adopted 1999)
        - Regulatory Control Action
        - Suspension w/o prior notification
        - Suspension of Inspection w/ PN
        - Withdrawal of Inspection
        - Refusal to grant Inspection

RCA vs. SUSPENSION
        - FSIS Directive 6900.2
        - If there is an egregious situation of inhumane handling or slaughter, the IIC may immediately suspend inspection in accordance with 9 CFR 500.3(b) of the regulations.
        - Egregious – Webster – Conspicuously Bad – Flagrant
        - FSIS Notice 16-08 (Not all inclusive)
        - An egregious situation is any act that is cruel to animals or a condition that is ignored and leads to the harm of animals such as: 

making cuts on or skinning conscious animals, 

multiple attempts, especially in the absence of immediate corrective measures, to stun an animal verses a single blow or shot, 

otherwise causing intentional unnecessary pain and suffering to animals, including situations on trucks. 

Exotic Animals 
        - 9 CFR 352
        - For Bison, Buffalo, Cattalo, Deer, Elk, Reindeer, Water Buffalo, or Antelope.
        - 9 CFR 352.10(a)(5)
        - Stunning to render the animal unconscious shall be in accordance with 9 CFR 313.15 or 313.16

HH Assistance
        - AMI  -  www.meatami.org
        - HSA –  www.hsa.org.uk
        - Dr. Temple Grandin –  www.grandin.com
        - FSIS –  www.fsis.usda.gov
        - Animalhandling.org –  www.animalhandling.org
        - University  - Cooperative Extension Service
        - American Assoc of Meat Processors –  www.aamp.com

CONCLUSION
        - Humane Slaughter 
        - FMIA
        - Regulatory Requirements
        - Captive Bolt stunning
        - Firearm Stunning
        - HH Assistance
        - SBREFA
        - Any QUESTIONS???