Handgun to the front

potentially ending a fight.

I am not a proponent of disarms as the end target result of a any weapon defense. The risks associated with an attempted disarm may include counter strikes by the assailant while the defender is preoccupied with a disarm attempt, loss of control, and wrongful focus on the weapon instead of the actual person being fought. A better approach is to counter strike until the assailant drops the weapon — verbal commands are essential at this point. Note, though, that policies as well as situation-specific variables may dictate disarm as necessary. In order effectively to disarm a handgun the defender will use his free hand to grab a stronger hold of the handgun and by using his whole body will rotate the handgun towards the assailant, widening the grip on the weapon, and allowing a takeaway (see picture 4).

Once an effective handgun defense has been executed, the defender should move to a tactical position of advantage, call for back-up (if he has not yet done so), draw his own weapon if possible, or manipulate the weapon taken away from the assailant to clear any malfunction that will most likely be present after a possible discharge attempts had caused cycling malfunctions, and place sights on the assailant (see picture 5).

Keeping it real

When practicing this handgun defense, or any other defense, the trainee should take steps to train from a position of disadvantage. This may include:

• Increasing the distance between the threat and the defender. Remember that sometimes compliance is a better option. Sometimes turning in the opposite direction, looking for cover, and drawing one’s own sidearm may be a better option.
• Add physical and psychological stress by performing the defense after a run or performing push-ups. Have the assailant yell profanities at you to add to the stress level.
• Train with assailants who are larger and stronger than you.
• Train outside on uneven ground.
• Have the assailant put soap water or lotion on his arm and handgun to make everything more slippery. Remember that even though the execution of the technique may not be book-perfect, all you have to concentrate on is staying out of the line of fire until you can regain control by either counter striking or using other tools.
• If you have access to a pellet gun, train with one (using eye protection and other protective measures). This will allows you to know if you are truly performing the technique correctly, and whether or not you are maintaining yourself out of the line of fire throughout the execution of the defense.
• Have the assailant react in a realistic manner to the dynamic fight. A training partner who just “goes with it” is of no good to you. No bad guy on the street will  let you execute the defense without a fight.
• Make sure to use your own verbal commands, be aggressive (within safety limits), and make sure to use tactical approach to the situation to position yourself in such a way that a defensive maneuver is more likely to be successful.

Defending against a handgun threat is not hard when done under dry conditions in a training facility. Make sure to add and change variables frequently so you have the opportunity to train under most possible situations and scenarios. Keep it realistic and your chances of surviving a possibly lethal encounter with a handgun will increase dramatically.

Tzviel (BK) Blankchtein, a defensive tactics instructor, is founder and president of Masada Tactical, and may be contacted through the company’s Web site. Readers may send him questions on topics and issues which are of interest to them. He will post some of these questions, and his answers to them, in the column.