high voltage pulse to the exterior of the flashtubes this pulse ionizes the xenon gas in the tubes initiating a discharge path through the tube for the energy stored in capacitor 24 pulse transformer 39 is the flashtubes trigger coil which ionizes the gas in the flashtubes by impressing high voltage to the exterior of each flashtube as storage capacitor 24 charges capacitor 40 charges through 37 resistor 41 transformer 39 to the voltage across 36 when the open flash activator switch 16 contacts closes 40 discharges through transformer 39 secondary the high voltage pulse necessary to ionize the gas in flashtubes 18 the flashtubes then flash light flyback ringing is reduced by resistor 42 capacitor 43 provides an a c return path for the high voltage pulse in place of the pair of flashtube lights shown in the drawings a single flashtube light can be used characteristically the full power light output ranges from about 75 to about 80 lumen seconds per ft 2 measured at a four foot distance using a fully charged battery since the luminous material located on the front sight s 1 and the rear sight s 2 is applied only to the rear surfaces of each sight and the light activation thereof occurs within the interior confines of the holster the peace officer is permitted to sight the handgun under the darkest possible conditions without revealing his position to the assailant or.