2013
Nick Tsiatis
Albuquerque, NM
By calculating the peak amplitudes of gunshots from audio recordings, the relationship of sound intensity to distance of the discharged firearms was examined. Various types of firearms in different calibers were used. The relative distance from the discharged firearm to the recording source varied from approximately 31 to 125 feet at an outdoor shooting range. A sound level meter and a measurement microphone were placed behind the shooting position. Peak amplitude was calculated for over 150 gunshots. Similarities between the same types of firearms and differences between different types were noted. As expected, peak amplitude decreased as distance increased. On average, for every doubling of the distance from the sound source, the sound intensity diminished by close to 6 decibels.