Handgun Retention -
No matter what type of call or incident officers are working, there is always at least one gun present, yours. Officers need to be aware at all times of the positioning of their weapons, and the danger zone.
Before starting your shift, officers need to take time to inspect their equipment to ensure it is in proper working condition. This also applies to their leather gear. A good holster is essential. It should have a thumb strap with an inside or body side release.
The holster should be fastened to the belt and for those using a duty belt; keepers should be fastened in both the front and rear of the holster.
Officers should always be aware that the faster the weapon can be released from the holster when you draw, the faster you can be disarmed. For this reason, if you are using a break front or clamshell type holster, you need to be more aware of what is going on around you because you can be disarmed easier from the front than you can with other types of holsters.
Once a contact is made, you must always maintain a good field interview stance. (See Position and Movement section of this manual). If you are doing this, and you are dealing with only one suspect, the chances of successfully being disarmed are next to none for two reasons.
1. The subject sees that you are not giving him/her the opportunity to attempt a disarming technique.
2. Situational awareness will dictate that you are ready for an attack should it occur, and by maintaining a good defensive position, you will be able to react fast enough to counter.
If you are disarmed in a one-on-one situation, chances are that you were in a bad position, and not prepared for an attack and not well trained in retention techniques. The problem in law enforcement is that a good number of situations involve two or more subjects.
Principals of Holstered Retention -
There are three principals to holstered retention techniques.
1. You must keep your weapon in your holster to retain it.
2. You must get the attacker off your holster and weapon.
3. You must make sure that the attacker does not make another attempt to take your weapon.
You will learn one maybe two-holstered weapon retention techniques. They rely on the three principals previously discussed. There are four steps to each of the techniques. These steps are as follows:
1. Trap the weapon in the holster.
2. Position yourself.
3. Affect the release.
4. Create distance and cover down.
1. Trap the Weapon.
A. Weapon hand holster trap and reaction hand holster trap.
B. Both are accomplished by placing your thumb between the strap of the holster and your body, with the web of your hand over the butt strap of the weapon. The fingers are placed along the outside of the holster and push the gun down towards the floor.
2. Position Yourself.
A. Turn your weapon side away from the attacker.
B. Step in with your reaction side foot or away with your weapon side foot.
C. Regain your balance by maintaining a good power stance.
3. Affect the Release.
A. Jamming the subject’s wrist and elbow by stepping and driving into the subject. Take the subject off balance causing her/his power to diminish. Distracts and verbal commands may help to cause the attacker to release the weapon.
4. Create distance and cover down.
A. Create distance between you and the attacker to a desired distance of 22 feet at least.
B. Cover down by drawing the appropriate weapon to aid in gaining compliance and ultimately control.
Holstered Retention Techniques -
Front Attack -
1. The subject, who is in front of the officer, with his/her left hand reaches for and grabs the right-handed officer’s holstered handgun.
2. The officer traps the weapon by grasping the subject‘s hand with both hands. This can be accomplished by either pushing down with both hands or pushing down with the reaction hand and pulling up on the bottom of the holster with the weapon hand.
3. Position yourself by dropping your body and stepping toward the subject and drive your head into the subject’s same side lower ribs.
4. Slide your head under the subject's arm pit simultaneously stepping in the same direction (twisting your body)
5. Once you have twisted then step back behind the subject. (Twist and twirl). Or in front of the subject if the subject used the opposite side arm.
NOTE: In addition, your first reaction may be to step back on you weapon side. --- THIS IS OK---- especially if the subject bent his/her arms and hunched the body in tight. By stepping back with the weapon side, the OFFICER may straighten out the subject’s arms just enough to use his/her head as a wedge when ducking under the subject’s arm.
NOTE: If the officer is unable to duck under the subject’s arm, then it is necessary to drive your body toward the subject’s elbows on the outside. If this does not dislodge the subject, then with the reaction side leg perform a reap on the subjects left leg or attacking side leg.
Rear Attack -
1. The subject, who is behind the officer, with his/her Right hand reaches for and grabs the right-handed officer’s holstered handgun.
2. The officer traps the weapon by grasping the subject ‘s hand with both hands. This can be accomplished by either pushing down with both hands or pushing down with the reaction hand and pulling up on the bottom of the holster with the weapon hand.
3. Position yourself by stepping toward the subject and drive your head into the back of subject's same shoulder.
4. Slide your head under the subject ‘s arm pit simultaneously stepping in the same direction (twisting your body)
5. Once you have twisted then step in front of the subject.
An Officers first reaction may be to go toward the weapons side and if it does not work then simply twist toward the reaction side using the same technique.
Ground Attack -
Same as standing..
Drawn Weapon Retention -
The techniques for drawn weapon retention are used when a subject attempts to disarm you while you have your weapon drawn. The keys are situational awareness, distance and weapon presentation. For example, when moving around corners within a house, your weapon should be in close to your body. The same is true when you find yourself in a position, which is within the reactionary gap. You have learned disarming in the last section. If these techniques will work for officers, then they will work for criminals as well.
There are four steps to drawn retention techniques.
1. Regain your position by assuming a good fighting stance and straightening your wrist. For example, if you are holding your weapon in your right hand and the subject attempts an amputation disarming technique, step forward towards the subject with your left foot, pivoting on your right foot. This will straighten your right wrist as you reinforce your grip with your left hand.
2. Reinforce your grip with your reaction hand and countering the intended rotation of the weapon.
3. Affect the release by pivoting away from the subject, issuing verbal commands, and using your entire body weight to disengage from the attacker’s grip.
4. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
An attacker may attempt to disarm you using the techniques that we have already learned. If you follow the steps, then you will be successful in retain your weapon if the attacker attempts the water wheel, amputation or wristlock techniques.
Attempted Wristlock -
1. The subject grabs the officer's handgun to perform a wristlock disarming technique.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasps the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from twisting toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her weapon side arm into the subject’s elbow.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
Attempted Amputation -
1. The subject grabs the officer ‘s handgun in an attempt to perform an amputation.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasps the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from twisting toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her reaction side arm into the subject’s chest.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
Attempted Zip Down the Front -
1. The subject grabs the officer ‘s handgun in an attempt to perform a water wheel.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasp the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from pointing down toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her weapon into the subject’s face.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
No matter what type of call or incident officers are working, there is always at least one gun present, yours. Officers need to be aware at all times of the positioning of their weapons, and the danger zone.
Before starting your shift, officers need to take time to inspect their equipment to ensure it is in proper working condition. This also applies to their leather gear. A good holster is essential. It should have a thumb strap with an inside or body side release.
The holster should be fastened to the belt and for those using a duty belt; keepers should be fastened in both the front and rear of the holster.
Officers should always be aware that the faster the weapon can be released from the holster when you draw, the faster you can be disarmed. For this reason, if you are using a break front or clamshell type holster, you need to be more aware of what is going on around you because you can be disarmed easier from the front than you can with other types of holsters.
Once a contact is made, you must always maintain a good field interview stance. (See Position and Movement section of this manual). If you are doing this, and you are dealing with only one suspect, the chances of successfully being disarmed are next to none for two reasons.
1. The subject sees that you are not giving him/her the opportunity to attempt a disarming technique.
2. Situational awareness will dictate that you are ready for an attack should it occur, and by maintaining a good defensive position, you will be able to react fast enough to counter.
If you are disarmed in a one-on-one situation, chances are that you were in a bad position, and not prepared for an attack and not well trained in retention techniques. The problem in law enforcement is that a good number of situations involve two or more subjects.
Principals of Holstered Retention -
There are three principals to holstered retention techniques.
1. You must keep your weapon in your holster to retain it.
2. You must get the attacker off your holster and weapon.
3. You must make sure that the attacker does not make another attempt to take your weapon.
You will learn one maybe two-holstered weapon retention techniques. They rely on the three principals previously discussed. There are four steps to each of the techniques. These steps are as follows:
1. Trap the weapon in the holster.
2. Position yourself.
3. Affect the release.
4. Create distance and cover down.
1. Trap the Weapon.
A. Weapon hand holster trap and reaction hand holster trap.
B. Both are accomplished by placing your thumb between the strap of the holster and your body, with the web of your hand over the butt strap of the weapon. The fingers are placed along the outside of the holster and push the gun down towards the floor.
2. Position Yourself.
A. Turn your weapon side away from the attacker.
B. Step in with your reaction side foot or away with your weapon side foot.
C. Regain your balance by maintaining a good power stance.
3. Affect the Release.
A. Jamming the subject’s wrist and elbow by stepping and driving into the subject. Take the subject off balance causing her/his power to diminish. Distracts and verbal commands may help to cause the attacker to release the weapon.
4. Create distance and cover down.
A. Create distance between you and the attacker to a desired distance of 22 feet at least.
B. Cover down by drawing the appropriate weapon to aid in gaining compliance and ultimately control.
Holstered Retention Techniques -
Front Attack -
1. The subject, who is in front of the officer, with his/her left hand reaches for and grabs the right-handed officer’s holstered handgun.
2. The officer traps the weapon by grasping the subject‘s hand with both hands. This can be accomplished by either pushing down with both hands or pushing down with the reaction hand and pulling up on the bottom of the holster with the weapon hand.
3. Position yourself by dropping your body and stepping toward the subject and drive your head into the subject’s same side lower ribs.
4. Slide your head under the subject's arm pit simultaneously stepping in the same direction (twisting your body)
5. Once you have twisted then step back behind the subject. (Twist and twirl). Or in front of the subject if the subject used the opposite side arm.
NOTE: In addition, your first reaction may be to step back on you weapon side. --- THIS IS OK---- especially if the subject bent his/her arms and hunched the body in tight. By stepping back with the weapon side, the OFFICER may straighten out the subject’s arms just enough to use his/her head as a wedge when ducking under the subject’s arm.
NOTE: If the officer is unable to duck under the subject’s arm, then it is necessary to drive your body toward the subject’s elbows on the outside. If this does not dislodge the subject, then with the reaction side leg perform a reap on the subjects left leg or attacking side leg.
Rear Attack -
1. The subject, who is behind the officer, with his/her Right hand reaches for and grabs the right-handed officer’s holstered handgun.
2. The officer traps the weapon by grasping the subject ‘s hand with both hands. This can be accomplished by either pushing down with both hands or pushing down with the reaction hand and pulling up on the bottom of the holster with the weapon hand.
3. Position yourself by stepping toward the subject and drive your head into the back of subject's same shoulder.
4. Slide your head under the subject ‘s arm pit simultaneously stepping in the same direction (twisting your body)
5. Once you have twisted then step in front of the subject.
An Officers first reaction may be to go toward the weapons side and if it does not work then simply twist toward the reaction side using the same technique.
Ground Attack -
Same as standing..
Drawn Weapon Retention -
The techniques for drawn weapon retention are used when a subject attempts to disarm you while you have your weapon drawn. The keys are situational awareness, distance and weapon presentation. For example, when moving around corners within a house, your weapon should be in close to your body. The same is true when you find yourself in a position, which is within the reactionary gap. You have learned disarming in the last section. If these techniques will work for officers, then they will work for criminals as well.
There are four steps to drawn retention techniques.
1. Regain your position by assuming a good fighting stance and straightening your wrist. For example, if you are holding your weapon in your right hand and the subject attempts an amputation disarming technique, step forward towards the subject with your left foot, pivoting on your right foot. This will straighten your right wrist as you reinforce your grip with your left hand.
2. Reinforce your grip with your reaction hand and countering the intended rotation of the weapon.
3. Affect the release by pivoting away from the subject, issuing verbal commands, and using your entire body weight to disengage from the attacker’s grip.
4. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
An attacker may attempt to disarm you using the techniques that we have already learned. If you follow the steps, then you will be successful in retain your weapon if the attacker attempts the water wheel, amputation or wristlock techniques.
Attempted Wristlock -
1. The subject grabs the officer's handgun to perform a wristlock disarming technique.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasps the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from twisting toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her weapon side arm into the subject’s elbow.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
Attempted Amputation -
1. The subject grabs the officer ‘s handgun in an attempt to perform an amputation.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasps the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from twisting toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her reaction side arm into the subject’s chest.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.
Attempted Zip Down the Front -
1. The subject grabs the officer ‘s handgun in an attempt to perform a water wheel.
2. The officer using his/her reaction hand grasp the barrel of the gun to prevent the gun from pointing down toward him/her.
3. The officer then steps toward the subject driving his/her weapon into the subject’s face.
4. You then push down with your reaction hand simultaneously pulling with your weapon hand as you step away from the subject with all your might.
5. Create distance by moving outside the reactionary gap, cover down and issue verbal commands.