What percentage of shootings involved a subject unarmed or armed with something other than a firearm?

• A. 10%
• B. 40%
• C. 60%
• D. 80%

Answer: (B)

Understanding how often a shooting involves a subject without a firearm helps frame how to respond in de‑escalation. About 40% of shootings involve a subject who is unarmed or armed with something other than a firearm. This means that in a substantial portion of incidents, a gun is not present or is not the weapon involved, so relying on verbal de-escalation, distance, and non-threatening behavior is crucial even when you’re not certain a firearm is involved. The remaining cases involve firearms, which require heightened caution and different tactical considerations. The 40% figure is the statistic supported by the data, while the other options don’t match what the data show.