The 5 critical keys for a successful gun disarm.
Gun Disarms… Do They Work?
Of course they do, the question is how can you tell the gun disarms that work from the ones that are irresponsible and dangerous?
But there is also more than just the technique of a gun disarm.
Once you have disarmed the gun now what?
Let’s go over 5 key tips to a successful gun disarm.
#1 – Decide if You Should or Not Do the Gun Disarm
First off you have to understand the mind of the criminal… what do they want? It usually boils down to 1 of 3 things:
- Your Property (money, etc.)
- Your Body (sexual or physical assault)
- Your Life (they want to kill you)
Your Property
In many cases if all they want is your money then they don’t want to get caught and thus go to jail or prison. Shooting you would increase their likelihood of getting caught and thus they probably don’t want to shoot you.
In those cases you have a choice, you can be a little cavalier and go for the gun disarm or you can be compliant and give them your wallet (or whatever). That choice is up to you and is based on your own personal values.
Your Body
If the attacker is using the gun in order to physically or sexually assault you then it is a tool of intimidation. They don’t want to use it per se, it is merely being used to help them get what they want.
In these cases if you don’t want to be assaulted then you wait for the right opportunity and then go for the gun disarm.
Your Life
Odds are if they want to kill you they are already shooting. If they are shooting at you at distance then run away while putting things that block bullets between you and them as you run (cars, trees, buildings, etc.)
If they are shooting at you within a lunging reach of the gun then there is no better time than right the F*$% NOW to go for that gun disarm.
#2 – Wait for the Right Opportunity to do the Gun Disarm
If they are not yet shooting at you then you have a moment to breathe and compose yourself.
The gun might be moving, the attacker might be moving, they might be making you move. If you can wait for things to settle down then wait. The less movement the better.
The closer the gun is to you the easier the gun disarm will be. Rather than stepping away (which is natural to want to do) stay close to the gun.
When the attacker is distracted (looking away, talking, etc.) make your move. You can ask them a simple question such as “what do you want?” When they answer you can make your move. While they are talking they are multitasking and they will have just slightly slower reaction time.
#3 – Clear AND Control the Muzzle when doing a Gun Disarm
I’m sure you have seen videos of attempted gun disarms on the news. A well-meaning but untrained victim will take a chance and smack the gun hand away trying to make their attacker drop their gun.
Of course the attacker rarely ever drops it and either stays in control or will start shooting.
Look the muzzle is the only end of the gun we care about. We must clear it off of our body and hopefully not direct it towards another innocent person. But we must also control the muzzle for the gun disarm to be successful.
Depending on the particular position you find yourself in usually that means wrapping your hand and fingers securely around the slide (no fingers dangling over the muzzle). You need to have control of that gun so they can’t pull it back or just randomly fire and hit other people.
#4 – Twist then Rip the Gun Away
Just yanking on the gun during the disarm usually won’t go over too well. The attacker still has 4 strong fingers on the grip.
But if you make the gun twist first it will loosen their grip so that when you yank or rip it away they won’t be able to have a solid grip on the gun to stop you.
My general policy is that once I have cleared and controlled the muzzle of the gun I twist the gun until it points right at the attacker.
This ensures two things:
- Enough twisting to break the attacker’s grip on the gun
- If the handgun does discharge then it is pointed at the bad guy
#5 – Make Space, Set Your Grip
You have disarmed the gun, great job!
Now get away from your attacker. Pull the gun back to your far hip so it is out of reach. You don’t want them doing a gun disarm right back from you do you?
Set your grip.
- The webbing of your thumb is high on the backstrap
- Your middle finger is high against the trigger guard
- Your index finger in on the slide
Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you have aim and are choosing to shoot. There is too high of a risk of you accidentally pulling the trigger.
Who cares you ask?
Well if you are not on target and squeeze the trigger odds are you will miss.
What is behind the bad guy?
Might be some innocent bystanders.
How shitty would you feel if you did a gun disarm and then accidentally shot a child?
Gun safety tip #1, finger is always on the slide until you have aim and are choosing to shoot!
Bonus Gun Disarm Tips
- Hopefully your would-be attacker turns and runs. If they do turn and run DO NOT shoot them. This would not be considered self-defense anymore and thus you could possibly wind up in legal trouble.
- If they charge you up close then punch the muzzle of the slide in their face to knock them backwards.
- If they pull out another weapon or 2nd gun (happened to someone I know) then you have a gun… do what you need to do.
- If the attacker is not charging you and you have some space then you should make the handgun operational by firmly seating the magazine and racking the slide as demoed in the video. This ensures the gun is ready to shoot if you need it to be.
- Once you are safe hide the gun as you wait for the police to arrive. You don’t want to be holding a gun or witnesses will mistake you for the bad guy. Personally I would keep the gun on me in most situation just in case the attacker returns. Carefully put it in a pocket, tuck it in your waistband of your pants, put in a purse, etc. Cover it with your shirt or jacket, etc.
- When the police arrive DO NOT pull the gun out and say, “here you go” it will freak them out and you might wind up containing high levels of lead in your system. Instead tell the police what happened. When they ask where the gun is you can say, “it is in my pocket, would you like to grab it or would you like me to carefully get it for you?” They will appreciate that.
Final Thoughts
Remember there are lots of gun disarms out there and many of them work. Using these key tips you now can tell the good ones from the bad ones.
Using the bonus tips you can ensure things go smoothly after the gun disarm.
Until next time,
Brian
