What, Exactly, Is a ‘Cop-Killer’ Gun? (Updated)
By Nathan Hodge November 9, 2009 | 12:02 pm | Categories: Military Life
News reports on the Fort Hood rampage say that the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan, used an FN Herstal Five-Seven pistol — described in some reports as a “cop killer” gun.
What, exactly, makes the Five-Seven different from other handguns?
The Five-Seven is chambered for the 5.7 x 28mm cartridge, ammunition originally developed by FN Herstal for the FN P90 Personal Defense Weapon. The P90 was conceived as a compact, powerful weapon that could be carried by aircraft crews, vehicle drivers and other troops who needed a weapon that was smaller than a carbine but larger than a pistol.