Warning shot

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A Coast Guard painting depicts a warning shot fired across the bow of a suspicious vessel
A Coast Guard painting depicts a warning shot fired across the bow of a suspicious vessel

A warning shot (in nautical terms, often called a shot across the bow) is a harmless artillery shot or gunshot intended to call attention and demand some action.

During the 18th Century, a warning shot could be fired towards any ship whose colours (nationality) had to be ascertained. According to the law of the sea, a ship thus hailed had to fly her flag and confirm it with a gunshot.

Warning shots are also used in military aviation, to demand some action of an "enemy" aircraft; the most common demand would be for the aircraft to change course. The ostensible justification for firing shots is that tracer rounds are very bright and would immediately gain the attention of a crew whose radio is non-functioning, and which might not have noticed radio transmissions. The actual justification is that warning shots demonstrate the ability to shoot, and cause fear in the aircraft's crew that they will be the next ones to receive bullets if they do not comply with demands.[citation needed]

On the ground, a warning shot from a pistol, rifle, or shotgun is fired into the air, or occasionally into a nearby object, or aimed so that the shot passes the one being warned harmlessly. This is a sufficiently aggressive act to demand attention, and alert onlookers that they might be shot if directions are not followed.

By analogy, "warning shot" can be said of any action of declaration, especially a demonstration of power, intended or perceived as a last warning before hostile measures.

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