Cache.Deals

GCR #30 California and the police

John Hickok
Published on May 17, 2015
Category: General
Duration: 78:15

This discussion delves into the ballistic properties of vehicles, explaining how bullets penetrate car doors and other components. It highlights that car doors generally offer minimal protection against bullets, with only thicker elements like A-pillars sometimes stopping rounds. The conversation also touches upon the tactical considerations of shooting at vehicles and the emotional impact of retrieving shot-up vehicles from impound lots.

Tags

Car Ballistics
Bullet Penetration
Vehicle Armor
Firearm Safety
Law Enforcement Tactics
Self-Defense Scenarios
Firearm Ballistics
Bullet Trajectories
Car Door Ballistics
Windshield Ballistics
A-Pillar Ballistics

Quick Summary

Car doors typically offer minimal ballistic protection, with most bullets penetrating them easily. Thicker components like A-pillars may stop some rounds. In a vehicle shooting scenario, ducking low is a more effective self-defense tactic than relying on the car's structure.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Impound Lot Stories
  2. 01:40Motorcycle Theft from Impound Lot
  3. 03:04Unusual Criminal Behavior
  4. 04:44Ballistics of Shot Vehicles
  5. 05:00Bullet Penetration Through Car Doors
  6. 05:30A-Pillar Ballistics
  7. 05:57Debunking Movie Ballistics Myths
  8. 06:11Reconstructing Shootout Scenarios
  9. 06:39Police Ballistics Measurement Techniques
  10. 07:00Bullet Hole Placement Analysis
  11. 07:23Self-Defense Tactics in Vehicle Shootouts
  12. 07:37Emotional Impact of Retrieving Shot Vehicles
  13. 08:10Hardest Parts of Impound Lot Work
  14. 08:42Fatalities and Vehicle Recovery
  15. 09:03Survival in Severe Car Accidents
  16. 09:54Transition to Personal History
  17. 10:10Navy Service and Japan Experience
  18. 11:00Upbringing and Move to Florida
  19. 12:03Culture Shock in Japan
  20. 13:08Arrival in Tokyo and Language Barrier
  21. 13:52Learning Japanese and Girlfriend's Help
  22. 14:26Pleasant Interactions with Locals
  23. 14:38Naval Base and Communications Role
  24. 15:06Local Sentiment Towards Americans in Japan
  25. 15:36Occasional Encounters with Drunk Individuals
  26. 15:59Historical Context: Atomic Bombings
  27. 17:34Ethical Dilemma of Atomic Bomb Use
  28. 18:05Mutually Assured Destruction and Nuclear Stalemate
  29. 19:10Historical 'First Strike' Scenarios
  30. 19:44Debate on Nuking Germany
  31. 19:54Comparison of Bombing Strategies (Dresden)
  32. 20:08Evolution of Warfare and Collateral Damage
  33. 20:58Neutron Bomb Discussion
  34. 21:36The Nature of War
  35. 21:47Global Political Structures and Conflict
  36. 22:29Artificial Boundaries and Their Impact
  37. 23:27Conspiracy Theories: New World Order
  38. 24:03Concerns About a One-World Government
  39. 24:25Concept vs. Execution of Global Governance
  40. 25:06Hypothetical Global Gun Carry
  41. 25:24Varying Laws and Punishments Globally
  42. 26:07Comparison of Prison Systems (US vs. Others)
  43. 26:20Debate on Prison Conditions
  44. 27:37Florida Beach Sex Incident and Penalties
  45. 28:31Sex Offender Registration Nuances
  46. 29:13Disproportionate Punishments
  47. 30:03Revisiting Punishments for Minor Offenses
  48. 30:39Purpose of Incarceration
  49. 31:25Harsh Marijuana Laws in Texas
  50. 31:41Drug Laws and Public Safety Rationale
  51. 32:34Dangerous Substances Beyond Drugs
  52. 33:35Break and Return
  53. 34:16Live vs. Pre-recorded Broadcasts
  54. 34:54Deer Park Water Sponsorship Discussion
  55. 35:43Age of Bottled Water
  56. 36:04Return to Conversation
  57. 36:11Time Spent in California
  58. 36:25San Jose and Silicon Valley
  59. 37:04San Jose as a Peaceful Town
  60. 37:27Google Concept Origin Story
  61. 37:42Early Search Engines (AltaVista, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves)
  62. 38:36MySpace Page Nostalgia
  63. 39:17California Gun Culture: 'Comifornia'
  64. 39:31Worst Gun Law States (CA, NJ, NY, IL)
  65. 39:57Reasons for Anti-Gun Sentiment in California Cities
  66. 40:20Gun Ownership in Rural California
  67. 40:34City Culture vs. Rural 'Wild West'
  68. 40:44Progressive Ideals and Gun Rights
  69. 41:04Progressive as a Code Word?
  70. 41:12Reclaiming the Term 'Progressive'
  71. 41:31Freedom of Speech vs. Freedom of Action
  72. 42:43California as a Trendsetter for Gun Laws
  73. 43:16Shifting Trends in Gun Rights
  74. 43:21Gun Laws in San Jose
  75. 43:34Reasonable Gun Laws (Backstops, Land)
  76. 43:57IQ Tests for Gun Ownership
  77. 44:25Relevance of Background Checks
  78. 44:46Gun Bans vs. Criminal Access (Chicago Example)
  79. 44:54Gang Violence and Strict Gun Laws in California
  80. 45:03California's Specific Gun Restrictions (Capacity, Features)
  81. 45:21Cosmetic Features and Political Talking Points
  82. 45:49Availability of Other Weapons (Machetes, Sledgehammers)
  83. 46:20Efficiency of Firearms in Lethality
  84. 46:30Impossibility of Stopping Gun Access
  85. 46:38Number of Guns in America
  86. 46:58Girlfriend's Interest in Handgun Purchase
  87. 47:05H&K P7M8 Discussion
  88. 47:49Handgun for Home Defense
  89. 48:30Shotgun vs. Handgun for Home Defense
  90. 49:06Paranoia and Home Invasion Preparedness
  91. 49:25Having the Right Tool for Self-Defense
  92. 49:34Distraction by Devices as a Defense?
  93. 50:05Over-Distraction by Devices
  94. 50:41Attention Span Decline
  95. 51:05Importance of Reading Books
  96. 51:59Learning About People Through Books
  97. 52:31Comedy Book: 'If Life Was Fair'
  98. 52:53Intrigue of the Human Experience
  99. 53:26Clues in Ancient History
  100. 53:52Life is Too Interesting to Be Bored
  101. 54:03Boredom vs. Being Boring
  102. 54:35Exceptions to Boredom (Waiting Rooms)
  103. 54:48Balancing Technology Use
  104. 55:04Fact-Checking and Information Accuracy
  105. 55:42Technology Accelerating Human Evolution
  106. 55:55Information Exploration Pre-Smartphone
  107. 56:26Wikipedia's Reliability and Use
  108. 57:07Uncertainty of Absolute Truth
  109. 57:25Caution with Self-Defense Shooting Accounts
  110. 57:44Limited Experience vs. Authority
  111. 58:31Police Under Scrutiny and YouTube Evidence
  112. 59:04Support for Police Officers
  113. 59:35Difficulties of Police Work
  114. 59:53Interacting with Law Enforcement
  115. 60:37Fighting Legal Battles in Court, Not on the Street
  116. 60:48Dealing with Police Stops
  117. 61:22Understanding Police Authority Dynamics
  118. 61:37Letting the Officer 'Win'
  119. 62:11Best Practices During Traffic Stops
  120. 63:02Police Evaluation: Citizen vs. Criminal
  121. 63:39Profiling and Perception Changes
  122. 64:14Benefits of a Carry Permit During Stops
  123. 64:30Risks of Pro-Police Bumper Stickers
  124. 65:05Police Training and Deception
  125. 65:16The Necessity of Profiling
  126. 65:39Race vs. Physical Characteristics in Profiling
  127. 66:45Annoying Questions About Height
  128. 67:45Getting Along with People from Diverse Backgrounds
  129. 68:01Meeting Taller Individuals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do car doors stop bullets?

Car doors generally offer very little protection against bullets. Most rounds will penetrate through them, often lodging in the second door. While thicker components like A-pillars might stop some rounds, standard car doors are not reliable ballistic protection.

What parts of a car are most likely to stop bullets?

The A-pillars, which support the windshield, are often made of thicker metal and have shown the ability to stop some bullets. However, car doors and other body panels typically do not provide significant ballistic resistance.

How do police determine bullet trajectories at a vehicle crime scene?

Law enforcement uses various methods, including measurements and small markers inserted into bullet holes, to reconstruct bullet trajectories and angles of impact. This helps them understand the sequence of events during a shooting involving a vehicle.

What is the best self-defense strategy if someone is shooting at your car?

Instead of relying on car doors for protection, it's advised to duck and get low. This tactic may offer better cover than assuming the vehicle's exterior will stop incoming rounds, as most bullets penetrate standard car doors easily.

Related Articles

All Articles →
The Rifle America Keeps Banning: 50 Years of AK-47 Import Restrictions
Explainer20 min read

The Rifle America Keeps Banning: 50 Years of AK-47 Import Restrictions

Canik MC9 Prime: Complete Guide
Gear Deep Dive18 min read

Canik MC9 Prime: Complete Guide

Related News

All News →

Arizona Moves Forward With K-12 Firearm Safety Education Bill

Ammoland··AZ

There's still time to join us this Saturday, February 14th, at the Iberville Firing Range for our upcoming Concealed Carry Class! For $100, participants will learn the essentials of firearm safety, legal requirements, and proper handling techniques. The class runs f - facebook.com

Google News - Concealed Carry··LA

There's still time to join us this Saturday, February 14th, at the Iberville Firing Range for our upcoming Concealed Carry Class! For $100, participants will learn the essentials of firearm safety, legal requirements, and proper handling techniques. The class runs f - facebook.com

Google News - Concealed Carry··LA

Join us on Saturday, February 14th, at the Iberville Firing Range for our upcoming Concealed Carry Class! For $100, participants will learn the essentials of firearm safety, legal requirements, and proper handling techniques. The class runs from 8:00 AM to 4:0 - Facebook

Google News - Concealed Carry··LA

More General Videos You Might Like

Can a Car Stop a Bullet?
Can a Car Stop a Bullet?

This video tests the ballistic resistance of standard car doors against various handgun calibers. A .22 LR and .380 ACP were stopped by the first door, while a .45 ACP fragmented after penetrating both. A 9mm round successfully penetrated both doors and hit the target mannequin, demonstrating that typical car doors offer limited protection against common handgun rounds.

Car Ballistics
Bulletproof Car
Channel:Yee Yee Life
Category:General
Date: Oct 8, 2025
Duration: 0:50
Analyzing 9mm Bullet Paths Through Sheetrock & Studs
Analyzing 9mm Bullet Paths Through Sheetrock & Studs

This YouTube video analyzes the penetration capabilities of 9mm bullets through sheetrock and studs. It aims to provide a visual understanding of how different ballistic behaviors occur when a 9mm projectile encounters common building materials. The video likely includes practical demonstrations and explanations relevant to understanding terminal ballistics and projectile behavior in various environments.

9mm
Sheetrock
Channel:CF Clips
Category:General
Date: Oct 6, 2025
Duration: 0:39
The 'MURCA! Guns & Freedom Podcast!
The 'MURCA! Guns & Freedom Podcast!

This video features a firearms enthusiast discussing various handgun calibers, primarily comparing the 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum. The speaker emphasizes the superior power and ballistic performance of the .357 Magnum, citing velocity and penetration data. The discussion also touches on magazine loaders, shotgun preferences, and general firearm ownership topics, reflecting a knowledgeable perspective on practical ballistics and firearm utility.

357 Magnum
10mm Auto
Channel:TheYankeeMarshal
Category:General
Date: Apr 3, 2026
Duration: 1:22:05
How bullets bounce off cars #shorts #military
How bullets bounce off cars #shorts #military

This YouTube Shorts video explores the phenomenon of bullets bouncing off cars, likely demonstrating and explaining the physics behind ballistic ricochet. The title and hashtags suggest a focus on military applications and general firearm mechanics. The content aims to answer the question of what happens when projectiles impact vehicle exteriors.

Bullet Bounce
Car Ballistics
Channel:Tactical Rifleman
Category:General
Date: Jul 9, 2025
Duration: 0:49
How Many Feastables Chocolate Bars Does it Take to Stop a Bullet?
How Many Feastables Chocolate Bars Does it Take to Stop a Bullet?

This video from Yee Yee Life tests the ballistic penetration of Feastables chocolate bars against various firearms, from .22 LR to .50 BMG. The experiment showcases how different calibers and firearm platforms interact with the chocolate bars, providing a unique, albeit unconventional, look at projectile energy and stopping power. The host demonstrates safe firearm handling throughout the test.

Feastables
Ballistics Testing
Channel:Yee Yee Life
Category:General
Date: Jan 14, 2026
Duration: 1:31
How Bulletproof is Drywall? *INTERESTING* #gun #demolitionranch #fullautofriday #demoranch #civtac
How Bulletproof is Drywall? *INTERESTING* #gun #demolitionranch #fullautofriday #demoranch #civtac

This video tests the bullet penetration capabilities of drywall against various calibers, from .22 LR to .308 Winchester. Key findings include that 9mm penetrates significantly more drywall than .22 LR or 5.56 Green Tip, while .308 Winchester shows the deepest penetration. The test highlights the importance of understanding over-penetration for home defense scenarios, emphasizing that even seemingly less powerful rounds can travel through multiple layers of common building materials.

Drywall
Bullet Penetration
Channel:Civilian Tactical
Category:General
Date: Sep 1, 2022
Duration: 1:00

More from John Hickok

View all →
The AK our government would rather you didn't have
The AK our government would rather you didn't have

John Hickok, an experienced firearms instructor, demonstrates the Zastava M92 PV, a legally converted full-auto AK variant. He highlights the NFA's role in restricting civilian access to such firearms and showcases the weapon's performance with both standard and drum magazines. The video emphasizes the AK selector design for quick semi-auto transitions and the manageable recoil of this compact full-auto platform.

Zastava M92 PV
AK-47
Channel:John Hickok
Category:Tactical & Gear
Date: Jun 11, 2017
Duration: 5:59
Micro Draco AK accuracy test
Micro Draco AK accuracy test

This video provides an expert-level accuracy test of the Micro Draco AK, a short-barreled variant imported by Century Arms, chambered in 7.62x39mm. Instructor John Hickok demonstrates techniques for assessing mechanical accuracy using shooting supports and discusses the ballistic trade-offs of its 6-inch barrel. The assessment highlights surprisingly practical accuracy at moderate ranges for this compact firearm.

Micro Draco AK
Century Arms
Channel:John Hickok
Category:Reviews
Date: Mar 10, 2017
Duration: 10:28
Rare 45-70 Marlin vs Animals
Rare 45-70 Marlin vs Animals

This video demonstrates a practical marksmanship drill using a rare Marlin 1895 STP in .45-70 Government. Instructor John Hickok challenges viewers to clear a field of animal-shaped steel targets efficiently. The drill emphasizes accuracy and shot economy, framed as a hypothetical survival scenario. It highlights the capabilities of the Marlin 1895 STP, a limited-run rifle known for its historical significance and robust performance.

Marlin 1895 STP
45-70 Government
Channel:John Hickok
Category:Training & Techniques
Date: Jan 8, 2018
Duration: 5:35
The Glock our Government doesn`t want you to have
The Glock our Government doesn`t want you to have

This guide details techniques for controlling a full-auto firearm, specifically the Glock 17, as demonstrated by John Hickok. It emphasizes the importance of grip, anticipating muzzle rise, maintaining sight alignment, and practicing controlled bursts. Hickok, an experienced shooter, highlights that mastering full-auto requires understanding the firearm's specific characteristics and dedicated practice.

Glock 17
Full Auto
Channel:John Hickok
Category:Training & Techniques
Date: Apr 29, 2016
Duration: 9:55
Find an FFL
Licensed dealers in your area