A starting pistol or starter pistol is a handgun (typically a specially-designed revolver) that is fired to start track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. The loud report of the gun going off is a signal to the athletes to begin the event. Blank shells or caps are used to prevent injury. Starting pistols are often modified versions of standard pistols, and are incapable of firing real bullets. This is most commonly achieved by welding obstacles into the barrel. When electronic timing is used, a sensor is often affixed to the gun which sends an electronic signal to the timing system upon firing.
One issue with the use of starting pistols is that, since the report of the pistol is carried to the competitors at the speed of sound, it is conceivable that the position nearest the starter would hear the report a few milliseconds before the other positions. This issue is exaggerated in races where the runners begin in a stagger, putting a significant distance between the nearest and furthest runners. To combat this problem, the pistol will sometimes be wired with a microphone that transmits the sound (at nearly the speed of light) to speakers positioned directly behind each competitor. For deaf competitors, the system often uses a light instead.
In the United Kingdom starting pistols must be painted a bright color in order to comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.
Self-defense
Several replicas or conversions of lethal weapons are designed to accept lachrymatory gas cartridges for self-defense purposes. They are prevalent in Europe due to the strict gun control laws.
Most popular calibers are the 9 mm Knall (9x17 mm R K, 9 mm R K, .380 Knall) for revolvers and the 9 mm PAK (9x22 mm) for semi-automatic. Other types include the .315 Knall, 8 mm Knall (8x20 mm), .22 Lang Knall, .45 Short Knall (.45 Knall) and 6 mm percussion cap, loaded with 20-120mg of CN (mace), CS gas, CR gas (available only in Russia), OC (pepper) agents, or blanks.[1]
References
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