To tell the story of the use of deadly force by law officers, Chris McNab uses a historical narrative that follows Wild West marshals, the posse era, Prohibition gangsters, armed civic protesters, and the drug turf wars of the 1980s and '90s. "Deadly Force: Firearms and American Law Enforcement" also explores the legal and career ramifications of police gunfights and the use of SWAT units with aggressive combatants who are increasingly using heavier firepower against officers.