Al2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 15, 1996 Good bye to the .38 RCMP carry By DAVID TAYLOR AN RCMP OFFICER draws his gun and drops to his knees, He peers around a corner and squeezes off several rounds of his Smith and Wesson semi-automatic. The gun cmpties, the officer drops the magazine to the dirt and slaps in another, continuing a relentless attack o his target. ‘ Such was the situation at the rod and gun club range in Thomhill last week as RCMP officers trained with their new firearms. They’re switching from the traditional .38 Smith and Wesson revolvers to semi automatics made by the same company. Twelve people cach week complete the intensive three- day course. ‘‘We want to ensure safety and quality training,” says RCMP training officer Colin Farquhar. ‘‘So we only have thrce candidates per instructor. It’s also a really good refresher for standard practices.” Farquhar says the RCMP decided to change weapons for a number of reasons, The 38s were getting old, requiring more maintenance. Ammunition was becoming expensive too, as more police forces around North America switch to semi-automatics. And an investigation of a shooting involving the Ontario Provincial Police concluded that reloading the .385 could be cumbersome. So after two years of testing different guns, the 9 mil- limetre Smith and Wesson was chosen as the RCMP’s new official firearm. The semi-automatics have several advantages over the old .38s. They hald 15 bullets as opposed to six, and are much easier to reload. They are also made from stainless steel and are easy to maintain. “In a stressful situation, this is a better weapon to have because it is casy to use,’’ says Farquhar, ‘‘And that’s real- ly important, Shooting incidents are never expected and often occur in what appear to be routine situations. Of- ficers don’t have time to fiddle with their gear.”’ Farquhar points out that the only real drawback to the new guns is that they are more susceptible to jamming. But he adds that this is covered in the training. “You have to use a very stiff arm with this weapon,’* he says, “Otherwise the next round might not feed properly.” Along with the new guns come new holsters which are much better at keeping a firearm secure, something Far- quhar says is very important in a struggle, ‘The new holsters make it very difficult for someone to take the pistol away from a peace officer,’ he says. Farquhar is quick to point out that the new guns have several safety features to prevent accidents, The gua is a double-action firearm, so the hammer is al- ways brought forward alter every pull. Many semi-automatics are single-aclion, which leaves “the hammer back. This means that the trigger only needs a light touch for the gun to fire. The hammer on the new gun is also bobbed, so it can’t TERRACE VETERINARY HOSPITAL 4613 Park Avenue, Terrace 635-3300 or 635-9444 = Attention Pet Owners Spring is finally here and. along with it comes cute litle puppies and kittens. Terrace Veterinary Hospital is announcing a “Healthy Pet Awareness Program” for your pet's health care needs. “Pup- P Kitten packages” that include an examination, all vaccines and worming for the first year are being offered at a reduced price. Due fo the popularity of the spay/neuter/vac- cine program Terrace Veterinary Hospital contin- ves to offer these services at a reduced price for cats and dogs six months of age or older. For an appointment or more information regard- ing these programs please call 635-3300 or 635- 9444, ett * small animals © large animals * exotics AHer hours emergencies 635-3300 Out of town 1-800-635-3319 L.P. Elorza DVM etthts D.O. Farkvam DVM YOU CAN BE THE BOSS/ YOUTH BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING You BET! is giving youth age 19-24 a closer look at what it takes to be an entrepreneur, : An Introduction to -Business workshop is ~~ taking place in _ NewAlyansh Wilpwilxo'oskwhl Nisga‘a : May 29 This free workshop --tuns from 9 a.m. to4 p.m. For more information, - Call the Northwest _ Planning Group at 1-800-622-6611. atten practice is needed by RCMP offi Something Special! Something Unique! Something Greek! Cookin’ at Sonbadas! — Enjoy these fabulous lunch specials served daily! = . . . Roast Lamés “Specially of The louse” Lamb Delicately Favored and roasted, $14.95 Veal or Chicken Cordon Bleu Delicately Stuffed with han & cheese Open 7 days a week, Lunch Mon, - Fri. 11:30 - 2:00 pm ¢ Dinner 4:30 ~ 11:00 pm FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 638-1503 4402 LAKELSE AVENUE, TERRACE, B.C. be pulled back intentionally. Farquhar is confident of the gun’s safety. ‘You can drop it or throw it against the ground and it won’t go off,” he says. ‘‘It nceds a definite pull,’” The nine millimetre is only slightly more powerful than the old .38s and the police will continue to use hollow- point bullets. These are more expensive, but they aren’t as prone to ricochet as are round point ones, “The real benefit is in the ease of use,” says Farquhar. “Police work is 90 per cent sitting around and 10 per cent stress, But that 10 per cent is intense. The new weapons and training will belp make decision-making during that time as easy as possible.” 1-800-661-8683 MS ts the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada | 1-800-268-7582 Too Much Unwanted Hair? See me for permanent hair removal, | will help you understand the hair cycle and how you can stop stimulating more hair growth. 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Other voting options: lf you are unable to vote at General Voting or Advance Voting, you may vote at your District Electoral Office right:up until Voting away from home: If you will be away from home on General Voting Day, you may vote at any other voting location. If you will not be in BG on General Voting Day, contact your District Electoral Officer. Any questions? District Electoral Officer 4615 Lazelle Ave. Terrace, V8G 153 635-8273 District Registrar of Voters 101-3220 Eby St. Terrace, V8G 5K8 638-6515 Or Cantact Elections BC Toil Free 1-800-661-8683, to 8:00 p.m. (Pacific-Time). (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, May 28, 1996,