How does understanding projectile ballistics in confined spaces impact cover and concealment strategies during a firearm encounter?

Understanding projectile ballistics in confined spaces significantly impacts cover and concealment strategies because it determines the effectiveness of different materials and angles in stopping or deflecting bullets. In confined spaces, bullets can ricochet off hard surfaces, creating unpredictable trajectories and increasing the risk of injury even behind cover. Therefore, cover must be chosen based on its ability to stop bullets, considering the potential for fragmentation and ricochet. Concealment, which only hides you from view, is insufficient in a firearm encounter. For example, a drywall wall provides concealment but not cover, as bullets will easily penetrate it. Conversely, a concrete wall offers cover, but understanding the angle of impact is crucial. A bullet striking at a shallow angle may still ricochet around the wall, whereas a direct impact is more likely to be stopped. Therefore, projectile ballistics informs the selection of effective cover and the understanding of how bullets behave in confined spaces, influencing positioning and movement during a firearm encounter.