Close Quarters Combat // Tzviel (BK) BlankchteinHandgun to the front
Defending against a handgun threat is more difficult on the street than in a training facility; the right training under the right conditions would increase the chances of surviving a possibly lethal encounter with an armed assailant
In my first column in HS Daily Wire I mentioned handgun defenses as a controversial topic among defensive tactics and CQB instructors. It seems as though each instructor has his own take on how a defense against the presence of a handgun should be executed.
Techniques vary, and all have merit. The problem is that most often techniques are practiced under forgiving and constant variables. For example, most people practice handgun defenses on mats, in a room, at arm’s length, and with a cooperating partner. Training under such conditions would facilitate learning a technique and acquiring the required muscle memory, but it will not prepare a person to deal with the environmental variables of a realistic encounter, or the psychological effects of a real handgun threat.
Here I will describe how to defend against a handgun threat to the front of the body, why I prefer this defense, and how one can train for a real life encounter.
Non-technique related points to consider
- Depending on the situation, most handgun threats will end in being just that: a threat. Statistical information tells us that compliance at the primary (original) crime scene will usually end in a nonviolent manner or a lower degree of assault, compared to when moved to a secondary crime scene. This information is imperative for civilians or off-duty officers who may be present at the scene of a handgun threat, or become victims themselves: compliance may very well be the best defense.
- The dangerous part of a handgun is the muzzle! Once out of the line of fire, remaining out of the line of fire will keep one safe. I always say that I would rather defend against a handgun than against an edged weapon, since redirecting a handgun, or moving myself out of the line of fire is simpler than avoiding a knife. Remember that it is not sufficient just to redirect the muzzle initially, but one has to maintain control and muzzle awareness throughout the execution of the entire technique.
- Action is faster than reaction. Once a defender is committing to action he is racing against the assailant’s realization that something is happening and then pulling the trigger. As short of a time span as that may sound, this principle allows the defender to execute most techniques prior to being shot.
- Defending against a handgun will be a loud and possibly painful experience. One of my trainees who had the unfortunate opportunity to execute
