Gun Disarming Techniques

With rising cases of trigger-happy individuals causing terror and mayhem to law-abiding citizens, it's difficult to be assured of your safety. When a careless person gets ahold of a gun, no one is safe, not even a law enforcement officer. 

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Being able to disarm an assailant is a valuable skill that can save your life in a dangerous situation. The best way to avoid being a victim of gun violence is to be aware of your surroundings, avoid risky places and people, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Gun disarming techniques are a set of defensive skills that can help you survive a life-threatening situation where someone is pointing a firearm at you. These techniques usually involve using the attacker’s weapon against them. 

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If well mastered, these skills could be the difference between you becoming a gunshot victim or one who protects your life and that of the people around you. Nevertheless, you will realize that gaining such proficiency is not easy. Mastering requires a lot of training, practice, and mental preparation. 

First, try to de-escalate the situation before attempting other options.

De-escalation Techniques

Sometimes the solution when you find yourself in a volatile situation is to de-escalate. De-escalation techniques can be used to reduce the risk of physical harm or injury whenever you get caught in threatening situations. 

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You can also use these techniques to physically remove a gun or any other weapon from a person without violence and in a controlled manner. 

Here are some popular de-escalating techniques:

• Reframing: This technique involves acknowledging a person’s feelings and concerns, and starting to perceive the aggressor in a positive light. 
• Active Listening: This involves hearing and reflecting back on what the other person is saying. This lets them know you are attentive and helps to increase understanding.
• Empathy: This involves understanding a person’s emotions and trying to put yourself in such a situation. Empathy helps to build trust and reduce tension.
• Humor: Lighten the mood by striking a great joke. This takes tension and intensity out of the situation.
• Redirecting: Changing the subject of the conversation to something that is less controversial helps to bring some calm to the situation.
• Complimenting: This is a great way to achieve a positive and ample atmosphere.

If de-escalation does not work:

Types of Disarming

There are two types of disarming. 

• Defensive disarming 
• Offensive disarming. 

Defensive disarming involves neutralizing the assailant’s attack by either redirecting it or avoiding the weapon. On the other hand, offensive disarming is when you initiate an attack on the assailant to gain control of the weapon and then neutralize them.

 

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Proper gun disarming techniques require:

1. Safety
2. Training
3. Preparation
4. Control

Common Steps in Disarming a Gun from Your Attacker

It is easy to get into panic or freeze when facing a gun. In this situation, always remain calm and assess your environment. Is your attacker close enough to attempt to disarm? Can you see an opportunity to take cover or escape? Is there anyone or anything around to distract the assailant? Can you make out the assailant’s state of mind?

Different steps may be applied to deal with different scenarios. Here are some common ones: 

1. Step to the side, duck, or twist to remove your body from the line of fire. 
2. Quickly and decisively grab and pull or push the weapon away from your body using both hands. Use your thumbs to press on the weapon’s cylinder or slide to prevent it from firing twice.
3. Twist the weapon and the attacker's arm in opposite directions to create leverage and pain. This can make the attacker lose their grip on the weapon or drop it.
4. Stun your attacker by striking them using your elbow, knees, or head.
5. Take the weapon away from the attacker and secure it. 
6. Call for help and report the incident to the authorities.

Precautions to Keep in Mind When Preparing to Disarm an Assailant

The first lesson you will learn from your shooting instructor is to always treat all guns as loaded firearms ready to shoot. Here are more tips and precautions:

• Always assume any gun is loaded and ready to fire. 
• Never hesitate or show fear. 
• Do not try to negotiate or rationalize with your attacker. 
• Do not attempt to move towards the weapon unless you are sure you can reach it. 
• Only let go of the weapon when it is disabled and secured.

Basic Disarming Techniques

Gun disarming techniques usually vary depending on the type of gun, the situation, and the skill sets of the victim and their attacker. You will need professional classes in self-defense to safely and properly disarm your attacker. The following are some of the basic techniques for disarming a gun:

1. Weapon Disarmament: This involves using a quick hand maneuver to remove and take control of a weapon from an assailant.
2. Open-Palm Strike: This technique uses the open palm to block punches and direct the energy of the attacker away from you.
3. Joint Lock: This involves using a single arm or leg to apply pressure to the joints of your attacker to control and force them to the ground.
4. Defensive Striking: This is where you strike or kick the assailant to disorient them and make some distance.
5. Pressure Point Techniques: This involves applying pressure to specific body parts and points to elicit a reaction from your attacker.
6. Chokes: Cut off or limit the air supply to the assailant to subdue them.
7. Throws: This involves using your attacker's momentum against them to throw them off balance. 
8. Take-Down: You can make use of coordinated strikes and throws to quickly take your attacker to the ground.
9. Evasive Maneuvers: Involves using body movement to evade an attack by moving out of reach.
10. Escapes: Breaking free from your attacker and fleeing.

Gun Disarming Strategy

These are basic principles of gun disarming techniques. They are not universal and may vary depending on the type of firearm, the distance and position of the attacker, and the environment or situation. Therefore, you need to adapt and improvise according to each scenario and use your best judgment and common sense.

1. Act Quickly and Decisively

You need to surprise the attacker and catch them off-guard before they have time to react or pull the trigger. You also need to commit to your action and follow through with it, without hesitation or doubt. If you are unsure or afraid, you may end up freezing or making a mistake that could cost your life.

2. Redirect the Line of Fire

Ensure your first act is moving the gun away from your vital organs, such as your head, chest, or abdomen, and towards a less dangerous direction, such as the ground, the wall, or the attacker's body. You can do this by grabbing the gun with one hand and pushing or pulling it to the side, while simultaneously moving your body in the opposite direction. This will create some distance and angle between you and the gun, reducing the chances of getting shot.

3. Control the Weapon

This means securing the gun in your hand and preventing the attacker from regaining control of it. You can do this by twisting the weapon out of their grip, locking their wrist or arm, or applying pressure on their trigger finger. 

You also need to keep your finger off the trigger and avoid pointing the gun at yourself or anyone else. You should aim to disable the weapon as soon as possible, by ejecting the magazine, removing the chambered round, or breaking a vital part of the gun.

4. Neutralize the Threat

This means incapacitating the attacker and ensuring that they are no longer a danger to you or anyone else. You can do this by striking them with the gun, using your free hand or leg, or applying a chokehold or joint lock. You should also call for help, alert others nearby, and seek medical attention if needed.

Conclusion

Gun disarming is a skill that takes time to learn and gain experience. You first need to learn how to work a firearm lest you injure yourself in the process of disarming. Therefore, these techniques are not a substitute for proper self-defense training and education. 

These moves are only meant to provide you with some options and strategies in case of an emergency. The best way to protect yourself from a gun attack is to avoid it in the first place. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings, avoid risky areas and situations, and try to de-escalate the conflict whenever possible.

If de-escalation isn’t the best move, try to study the situation and assess your options. If you are confident about disarming, proceed confidently, quickly, and without hesitation. Your aim is to catch the assailant off-guard. 

DISCLAIMER:

The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional legal or security advice. The tips and advice shared here on how to disarm armed individuals should be understood as strictly informative, and not a substitute for expert guidance from trained professionals in the field.

Attempting to disarm an armed individual carries significant risks, including serious injury or death. It is not a task to be undertaken lightly or without proper training. The reader assumes full responsibility for any actions taken based on the information presented in this blog.

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