[Blank fright guns as assault weapons. Forensic medicine and legal aspects]. / Schreckschusswaffen als Schlagwerkzeuge. Rechtsmedizinische und strafrechtliche Aspekte.

Frequently blank guns are used at perpetrations as instruments for blows, mainly at robberies. These weapons are constructed in a compact, relatively heavy manner and possess angular bounds. First of all the head is the aim for such attacks. Blows with blank guns against the head are classified as potential dangerous to life. The cause of death is mainly due to bleeding, direct trauma of the brain, and air embolism. The typical resulting trauma as well as the criminal classification of perpetrations with blank guns used as instruments for blows are discussed.

[Blank firearms--an underestimated weapon class. Dangerousness, mechanical effect and legal classification]. / Schreckschusswaffen--eine unterschätzte Waffengattung. Gefährlichkeit, Wirkungsweise und strafrechtliche Einordnung.

The dangers posed to individuals by blank-cartridge guns are frequently underestimated by German courts. A description is given to the effects, specific dangers and typical consequences of injuries caused by the use of these weapons, inclusion of blank guns in the catalogue of terms applying to weapons law and penal law as well as individual questions of penal decisions regarding their use against man. The paper comes to the conclusion that it is hardly possible to doubt any more the not insignificant probability and objective foreseeability of severe or even fatal injuries when blank guns are used against people.