a "what if" question.

[The Unknown 1087]

So a friend of mine that is new to OC asked me a question.

What if you're OC'ing somewhere, like in a store waiting in line and someone behind you grabs, like REALLY grabs at it and they are trying to get it...Would you draw on them instantly once you turn it away from them?

Anyone have a decent response? I don't know what to say for something like that.

[cigarmanpa]

I would consider that a threat and react accordingly

[gnbrotz]

So a friend of mine that is new to OC asked me a question.


Anyone have a decent response? I don't know what to say for something like that.

Chances are, if my firearm comes out of the holster for SD, it's going to go bang - it's not just show and tell time.

That will only occur in a public place if I feel that my life (or the life of someone I love) is in danger and I am unable to retreat from the threat in complete safety - regardless of the 'what if' that may have happened seconds before.

[Fairfield_Glock]

There are so many variables involved in this situation that it's hard to give a definitive answer. I guess the first thing would be to determine if the person was still pursuing me with the intent of grabbing my weapon. There's always the chance that it's a stupid kid or a drunk /high person goofing off and they didn't really want to disarm me and obtain the weapon.

The first priority would be to retain control of the weapon and increase the distance between myself and the person. One thing I will say...as soon as I feel a tug on the pistol grip, my arm/elbow is going to smack the hell out of whoever is reaching for it.

[Ross11988]

Is attempting to disarm someone considered assault?

[Connal]

I agree with fairfield. There are so many things to take into consideration, it would need to be more specific.

If I was in line and I felt a hand grab at it, first thing is first, I'm grabbing ahold too as I try to put some distance between us. It could be a security guard thinking he knows the laws, it could even be the lady beside you who's purse just got caught on it as she turned.

[GRIZ]

#1 Retain the weapon.

#2 Assess the situation. This would dictate what I'd do.

[K.C.]

I take it as a direct threat to my life if someone physically try's to take a loaded firearm off me from behind. That's one of those game on scenarios you pray never happens. I always try to keep my back inaccessible as much as possible. When I go out to eat or any where in public I try to stand/sit with a wall or some other object directly behind me.

[Emptymag]

I took a basic Handgun Retention class.
If anything I learned came rushing back in that instant, the "grabber" would ideally find him/herself on the ground. Whether or not the weapon is put into play depends on a gazillion factors and is one of the things to consider once said person is removed from your sidearm.

"Drawing on them" is not the only option available unless that is the only thing you "know" to do.

[son of the revolution]

I agree with fairfield. There are so many things to take into consideration, it would need to be more specific.

If I was in line and I felt a hand grab at it, first thing is first, I'm grabbing ahold too as I try to put some distance between us. It could be a security guard thinking he knows the laws, it could even be the lady beside you who's purse just got caught on it as she turned.

Cops that I've trained with ( albeit down in Florida ) passed onto me that the first thing they would do is clamp down on top of the grabbers hand/wrist to try and keep the weapon in the holster and then while still applying pressure, either throw a weak side elbow and or twist their strong side away from the grabber which with the massive difference in mass, should result in the grabbers grip being broken or possibly worse. I dont know that I would agree with a sudden " hop, shuffle, step" forward as a first reaction. Depending on the holster and just how tight a grip the offender has, you might just actually help him finish the draw and leave him with the weapon.

I've also seen demonstrations of the aforementioned "clamp down and turn strong side away " be reversed to turning "strong side TOWARDS" the attacker, which again simply from mass, inertia and momentum should result in breaking the grip if not worse.

My Youtube Fu must be weak tonight. I know they're out there,but I cant seem to find videos' showing the techniques Im talking about.