There are a number of physical techniques that are available in self-defense, techniques that are essential for the survival and if done correctly, can make the difference between life and death. These techniques usually involve disarming a suspect who is armed with a deadly weapon: a handgun, a long gun, or an edged weapon.
These techniques are usually taught in any of the weapons disarming seminars and classes I have taught. Each technique is designed with the principles of the three P’s: Practical, easy to apply and effective.
Practical: Each technique must be practical in it’s application. If the weapons technique does not expeditiously remove the weapon from the armed offender, or requires too many or unnecessary moves, the technique is deemed impractical. Any firearm disarm should only require two moves: one to deflect the barrel, and the second is a continuous movement designed to dislodge and disarm the armed offender of their weapon.
Easy: Each technique must be easy to apply. The individual movements for each technique are not complex, nor do they require significant complicated years of study to coordinate some of the most simple movements.
Effective: This is the third of three principles to a weapons disarming technique. The ultimate goal is to ensure the movement works and will disarm the armed offender.
I have stressed to any and all persons who have attended my weapons disarming classes the need to continuously practice all of these types of techniques. I have explained that these disarming techniques are perishable skills. If a person learns, but does not practice the techniques, the person may not be proficient when the situation calls for the technique is needed. Therefore, practice these types of techniques so that if they are needed, the life you save may be your own!