Starting pistol
Encyclopedia
A starting pistol or starter pistol is a handgun
(typically a specially designed revolver
) or electronic toy weapon
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. Usually a cloud of smoke can be seen when shot. Blank shells
or caps
are used to prevent injury. Starting pistols may be modified versions of standard pistols incapable of firing bullet
s, 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. For deaf
competitors or for modern electronic systems, a light may be used instead.
An 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
, which takes about 3 milliseconds to travel one meter, positions nearest the starter hear the report a few milliseconds before further 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 avoid this problem, the pistol is sometimes wired with a microphone that transmits the sound virtually instantaneously to loudspeakers directly behind each competitor.
With security after the September 11 attacks on the US becoming prevalent, causing issues with starting pistols, a trend developed to use electronic starting systems that do not use pistols, but use obviously toy weapons that are wired to the timing system. When the starter presses the button, they emit a signal to play a simulated gunshot that is broadcast to loudspeakers behind each lane, show a flash, emit simulated smoke, and start the timing clock. Many venues have switched to the new format.
In the United Kingdom
blank-firing pistols must be brightly colored to comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
, so that they do not look like real weapons and cannot be used for intimidation.
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
(typically a specially designed revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
) or electronic toy weapon
Toy weapon
Toy weapons are toys that mimic real weapons, but are designed to be fun for children to play with and not dangerous.-Types of toy weapons:Some are essentially similar to the real thing, but less powerful. Weapons for cutting and stabbing have dull blades usually in plastic. Weapons formerly made...
that is fired to start track and field races
Racing
A sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
, 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. Usually a cloud of smoke can be seen when shot. Blank shells
Blank (cartridge)
A blank is a type of cartridge for a firearm that contains gunpowder but no bullet or shot. When fired, the blank makes a flash and an explosive sound . Blanks are often used for simulation , training, and for signaling...
or caps
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
are used to prevent injury. Starting pistols may be modified versions of standard pistols incapable of firing bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
s, most commonly achieved by welding obstacles into the barrel. When electronic timing
Fully Automatic Time
Fully automatic time is a form of race timing in which the clock is automatically activated by the starting device, and the finish time is either automatically recorded, or timed by analysis of a photo finish. The system is commonly used in track and field as well as horse racing, dog racing,...
is used, a sensor is often affixed to the gun, which sends an electronic signal to the timing system upon firing. For deaf
Hearing impairment
-Definition:Deafness is the inability for the ear to interpret certain or all frequencies of sound.-Environmental Situations:Deafness can be caused by environmental situations such as noise, trauma, or other ear defections...
competitors or for modern electronic systems, a light may be used instead.
An 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
Speed of sound
The speed of sound is the distance travelled during a unit of time by a sound wave propagating through an elastic medium. In dry air at , the speed of sound is . This is , or about one kilometer in three seconds or approximately one mile in five seconds....
, which takes about 3 milliseconds to travel one meter, positions nearest the starter hear the report a few milliseconds before further 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 avoid this problem, the pistol is sometimes wired with a microphone that transmits the sound virtually instantaneously to loudspeakers directly behind each competitor.
With security after the September 11 attacks on the US becoming prevalent, causing issues with starting pistols, a trend developed to use electronic starting systems that do not use pistols, but use obviously toy weapons that are wired to the timing system. When the starter presses the button, they emit a signal to play a simulated gunshot that is broadcast to loudspeakers behind each lane, show a flash, emit simulated smoke, and start the timing clock. Many venues have switched to the new format.
Criminal use
Pistols converted to fire blanks only can be converted back to fire live ammunition; some pistols designed to fire blanks can be modified to fire live ammunition. Some pistols manufactured specifically to fire blank cartridges are designed to resemble real weapons. Criminals use such weapons both to intimidate due to their appearance, and as actual firearms.In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
blank-firing pistols must be brightly colored to comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Origin:The United Kingdom Government published a paper "Drinking Responsibly - The Government's Proposals" in 2005 setting out their proposals for introducing Drinking Banning Orders...
, so that they do not look like real weapons and cannot be used for intimidation.