<P> In popular usage, point - blank range has come to mean extremely close "can't miss" range with a firearm, within four feet of its muzzle at moment of discharge yet not close enough to be a contact shot . </P> <P> Point - blank range may also refer to a range so short that even a blank cartridge (one loaded only with gunpowder and no projectile matter) can damage or kill the intended target . "The appearance of a blank cartridge can give a false sense of safety . Although blank cartridges do not contain a bullet, precautions are still required because fatalities and severe injuries have resulted on occasions when blank cartridges have been fired at very close ranges ." </P> <P> The term point - blank is of French origin, deriving from pointé à blanc, "pointed at white", with the word blanc used to describe a small white aiming spot formerly at the center of shooting targets . Point - blank range denotes the distance a marksman can expect to fire a specific weapon and hit a desired target without adjusting its sights . If a weapon is sighted correctly and ammunition reliable, the same spot should be hit every time at point - blank range . </P> <P> The term originated with the techniques used to aim muzzle - loading cannon . Their barrels tapered from breech to muzzle, so that when the top of the cannon was held horizontal its bore actually sat at an elevated angle . This caused the projectile to rise above the natural line of sight shortly after leaving the muzzle, then drop below it after the apex of its slightly parabolic trajectory was reached . </P>

Where did the term point blank come from
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