Montgomery County Sheriff's Office introduces new weapon system to minimize officer and citizen risk

By Teresa Harris, Public Information Assistant
October 27, 2015

            Montco Sheriff’s Office introduces new weapon system to minimize officer and citizen risk Norristown, Pa., (October 27, 2015) – Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono’s County Emergency Response Team introduced a new weapon system that will help minimize risk to officers and citizens when engaging in active shooter and other dangerous scenarios in the courthouse. The MCSO CERT Team demonstrated the new Corner Shot weapon system afterhours in the courthouse on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. “My primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of anyone entering the courthouse. In any dangerous situation, I want our law enforcement staff to have the best tools necessary to resolve it with minimal risk and loss of life,” said Bono. “Of course, I hope that we never have to use it.” The Corner Shot weapon system was provided to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office by Corner shot, Ltd., Israel, at no cost to taxpayers, according to Assistant District Attorney Bradford Richman. “In either a crisis, active shooter, or hostage situation in the courthouse, the Corner Shot can save lives and protect the deputies so they won’t have to take unnecessary risks and can end the situation with minimum casualties on all sides,” said Amos Golan, CEO and Owner of Silver Shadow Israel, and inventor of the Corner shot and Gilboa rifle. Corner Shot is used by the U.S. Marines, the Israeli Police and Israel Defense Forces and special army and police units all over the world. “As ex-police and army commanders, it gives us great pride to work with Sheriff Bono and his deputies to help make the Montgomery County Courthouse as safe as it can be.” With the use of an onboard laser guided camera, the Corner Shot weapon system enables officers to engage a target located behind a corner without exposing himself. In addition to left and right approaches, the weapon can be redirected to engage over high objects or under low objects very rapidly, without the removal of hands from the weapon. In an FBI study of 160 active shooter incidents in the U.S. between 2000 and 2013, an average of 6.4 incidents occurred annually during the first seven years and 16.4 incidents occurred during the last seven years of the study, which resulted in 486 fatalities. Use of the Corner Shot would not be limited to only active shooter incidences. The weapon could also be activated for suspects brandishing a knife, or holding an explosive device. Five members of the MCSO CERT Team have already started to train with the Corner Shot. CERT Team members will be cross-trained to use the weapon, and need to show proficiency and pass a 50-round qualification, which includes the ability to shoot up to 25 yards. “All of our law enforcement officers work very hard to keep us safe throughout the county every day. But it is very important that we keep our courthouse safe, too. Every day county employees, law enforcement officers and members of the public come into the courthouse to conduct important business. It is vital that everyone knows that the courthouse is a safe place to work and visit,” said District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.”