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Something I've always wondered...

by CJWrite
9 replies
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This is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night...

So, let's say you have a gun. Any gun - I don't think it matters. Or it might - I dunno. Anyway, if you fired this gun straight up into the air and were standing in the right spot when the bullet landed, would it kill you??

I know that it's probably impossible to be standing in JUST the right spot at JUST the right moment, but humor me...

Also, would different types of guns do different types of damage?
  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    I think when the bullets came down they would be under the same effects of gravity and thus have the same velocity regardless of the calibre. However funnily enough, this is something I've thought about too. When you see clips of guys firing bullets in the air, where on earth do they go to?
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    look up myth busters, they did an entire episode about that exact question..

    Even tho there are documented cases of death from just that scenario...

    they could not get any test to show a fatality would happen.
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  • Profile picture of the author LarryC
    I'm far from a firearms expert, but I'd guess it could happen, but the odds would be something like 1 in 100 million. If it hit you as it was returning from high in the air, it would be like getting hit by a pebble or any other small object. All the force was expended on the way up, but there would still be some impact from gravity. I suppose it could kill someone, but not likely.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I found the episode on you tube....

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  • Profile picture of the author whland
    Interesting thread. I've wondered the same thing.

    Chad
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I know a guy who lives in southern California. Someone (he had no idea who) fired a gun somewhere and the bullet came through his roof, attic floor and fell into a baby bassinet while the baby was sleeping. It hit the kid in the thigh and left a bruise. I'd guess that the velocity would have been enough that had it hit anyone square on the noggin it would have gone in a few inches likely killing the person.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    If you drop a penny from the window at the top of the Washington Monument and it hits someone on the head it will kill them. That's how much velocity an object can pick up during a fall due to gravity. So figure a bullet would go at least that high before slowing enough to fall - sure it could kill you.
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      If you drop a penny from the window at the top of the Washington Monument and it hits someone on the head it will kill them. That's how much velocity an object can pick up during a fall due to gravity. So figure a bullet would go at least that high before slowing enough to fall - sure it could kill you.
      if you drop a penny it will do as you say, but if you throw it about 5' or further away from
      the building, it wont.

      It is not the weight the height or gravity.

      it is thermal drafts running up and down the side of the building
      that creates the effect your talking about.

      The draft catches it and launches it like a missile...
      sometimes UP.. sometimes DOWN
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    The type of gun could make a difference. A shotgun shell would be scattered far and wide you probably wouldn't be hit, but if you were, it likely wouldn't be more than a single bb that would hit you. That's not going to do much damage.
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