Shawn Elliott Class #121 Weapon Retention Essay

Whenever you bring a firearm into a citizen contact, there is the potential to find yourself
in a life or death struggle for your weapon. Therefore, it is your responsibility to maintain
constant situational awareness and employ sound tactics.

In discussing weapon retention, we should not limit our perspective to handguns or

firearms. A suspect who takes away an officer's electronic control device or impact
weapon clearly poses a potentially lethal threat. Fortunately, the concepts and principles
are the same for impact weapon retention, shoulder weapon retention, and other force
option weapons we have in our control.

The Traditional Approach

Traditionally, handgun retention techniques are taught as a series of prescribed,

sequential movements designed to enable officers to maintain possession of their guns
and overcome aggressors. But given the number of possible takeaways aggressors can
attempt, developing prescribed retention techniques to counter each variation becomes
overwhelming to both teach and learn.

Retention of the techniques themselves is another problem. Recently, deputies were

evaluated on their performance of 12 defensive tactics tasks. Most were able to perform
as they were trained, but when they got to holstered handgun retention, the results were
not the same. Everyone tried to perform as he or she was taught, but the deputies
struggled to remember the sequence of the prescribed movements to execute the
technique from start to finish. This resulted in hesitation, loss of balance, and ineffective
or incorrect application of techniques.

Teaching techniques from a static position ignores the dynamic, aggressive, and unstable
reality of a determined aggressor. Environmental factors may also limit our ability to
move in certain directions or execute certain aspects of prescribed techniques.

Lastly, virtually all gun retention techniques involve only one aggressor. But what
happens when you encounter multiple aggressors? The two-on-one exercise in our
academy-level sustained resistance test provides the answer: The aggressors usually take
away the officer's gun and anything else they can strip from the officer's belt.

Will any one technique or combination thereof cover all possible variations of attack?
No. Will all attacks be initiated while we are standing in a bladed stance with the
aggressor making a singular movement that we can instantly counter? Extremely
unlikely. Will there always be only one aggressor? No. Do officers spend enough time
practicing their present handgun retention techniques to bring them to a level of reflexive
response? Sadly, the answer to that question is also no.
A Modified Approach

Often, the techniques we teach fail to address fully the reality of a violent, unpredictable
attack aimed at taking away an officer's gun. Attacks are varied and unpredictable; our
responses must be the same. The key is to balance structured techniques with options and
variation.

When we look at traditional handgun retention techniques, we can identify common

elements that provide the framework for a different, more effective approach that I call
the POINT method: Protect, Orient, Initiate, Neutralize, and Threat Assessment.

Each component of this method includes a variety of techniques that are used to
accomplish the main objective. Most of the individual techniques are already contained
within your existing training program and can be put into practice in the context of gun
retention.

Let's look at each of the components.

Protect

This is perhaps the most essential component of the POINT method. Protect your gun,
preferably while it is still in its holster. Some specific techniques you can use are:

Evasive footwork/body movement

Striking techniques using personal body weapons

Counter grab and control of the aggressor's gripping hand

Deploying other force options, including firearms

If a simple evasive maneuver doesn't suffice, you may immediately strike the aggressor,
preventing the aggressor from establishing a grip on your gun. You could deploy another
force option such as an impact weapon in conjunction with evasive footwork and body
movement, before the aggressor gets a grip on your weapon. Should the aggressor
establish a grip on your gun, you can use one or both hands to control or "lock down" the
aggressor's hands, preventing him or her from removing the gun from its holster. There
are a wide variety of techniques that you can use to accomplish this objective. The one
you choose will be driven by each individual situation.

Orient

Once you have provided for the initial protection of your gun, you must orient yourself in
relation to your aggressor(s) and your environment.
This means establishing a position from which to initiate a counterattack, disengage, or
escape. In the case of a static reach and grab attempt, a simple step to a balanced stance
may suffice. If the aggressor tackled you by surprise from behind and established a grip
on your gun while pinning you to the ground, a simple "step to a forty-five degree angle"
is out of the question. Some specific techniques for orienting yourself in relation to your
aggressor(s) are:

Footwork to establish your balance

Body movement such as a sprawl or guard position

You should begin to orient yourself as soon as you have protected your weapon; the two
may occur simultaneously.

Initiate

Once you have protected and oriented yourself, you must initiate control or disengage
and/or escape from your attacker. Counterattacks are varied. Use takedown and throwing
techniques, striking techniques, or any combination of the two.

Attack the most readily available targets on the aggressor or those that will facilitate a
desired reaction. What's important is to allow you to reflexively respond, rather than try
to force a series of scripted movements that are not practical. Techniques you can use to
initiate control or escape include:

Footwork/body movement

Takedown techniques

Striking techniques

Control holds

Neutralize

Neutralizing an aggressor in a gun retention situation means gaining control over the
aggressor and rendering him incapable of further attack. Common sense and statistics tell
us we can assume lethal consequences for the officer who loses his firearm to an
aggressor. Therefore, when an aggressor tries to take your gun, you must neutralize him.

Conceivably, verbal commands followed by a handcuffing technique might accomplish

this objective. Realistically, debilitating strikes or joint manipulation techniques,
followed by handcuffing would be more appropriate. The aggressor may create a
situation where the best option for survival is to maintain control over the weapon and
use it to neutralize the aggressor. Neutralizing techniques include:
Verbal commands

Striking techniques

Joint manipulation techniques

Impact weapon techniques

Less-lethal force option techniques

Handcuffing techniques

Firearms

Threat Assessment

Just as you train to scan and assess threats after firing your weapon, you must do the
same once you have neutralized your aggressor. Reassess the aggressor, the environment,
and other potential aggressors. Threat assessment ideally precedes action, but we do not
always have that luxury. Additionally, threat assessment may occur at any time during a
weapon retention encounter, but should always occur after neutralizing. If you identify
additional threats, from your initial aggressor or others, you must take the appropriate
action.

Implementing POINT

Training in the POINT method of weapon retention involves a two-step process.

The first step is a presentation and discussion of the nature of weapon retention
encounters. A thorough, focused discussion of the unpredictable, dynamic, aggressive,
and critical nature of weapon retention incidents, bolstered by analysis of specific
incidents, will lay an appropriate foundation for the training method.

The second step involves instruction in the specific techniques you can utilize to
accomplish each component of POINT. The trainers must identify, demonstrate, and
instruct their students in each applicable technique for each component.

The instruction should include learner repetition and as close to full-speed application as
is safe. Safety equipment for both the trainer and the learner should include adequate
floor mats, protective head gear and mouthpieces, protective impact suits such as
RedMan or FIST suits, and training weapons such as hard rubber handguns, training
batons, and impact weapons.

As you progress through the components, you comprehensively cover virtually all aspects
of your defensive tactics program: stance and footwork, striking techniques, takedowns,
ground control, control holds, joint manipulations, other force option weapons, and
handcuffing. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to review and enhance these
skill sets.

Developing proficiency in manipulative skills such as defensive tactics and firearms

requires proper instruction and sufficient repetition. The true test of those skills comes
when you are under stress, both physical and mental. In the POINT training method, the
utilization of safety equipment for unrehearsed attacks and applications of defensive
techniques provides the requisite physical and mental stress. Training at this level instills
confidence and cultivates the warrior mindset and spirit so critical to officer survival.

Nothing in the POINT method of training implies lack of training and development of
specific techniques. Rather it is the prescription of those techniques we want to free
ourselves from.

We need to teach specific techniques such as footwork, stances, striking techniques,

control holds, joint manipulations, escape techniques, and takedowns. Most every
academy's or agency's defensive tactics training program covers these sufficiently.
However, when it comes to weapon retention, we need a training method that recognizes
and addresses the dynamic, uncertain, and changing nature of combat; a method that
allows us to utilize the skills we've trained in but gives us the tactical mindset to most
effectively use those skills.

Weapon retention training should be viewed comprehensively. Whether an aggressor is

trying to take your handgun from your holster, hand, or shoulder holster, or your impact
weapon or electronic control device, your reaction should be the same: Protect, Orient,
Initiate, Neutralize, and Threat Assess. Since the POINT method of training doesn't
mandate specific techniques to accomplish each component, it is flexible and adaptable to
retention training of other weapons and is a valuable addition to any defensive tactics
training program.

Retention Holsters

Some 20 years ago, Bill Rogers designed the SS-III security holster, which became
known as the first police scabbard with "Level III security" because three movements
(release one strap, release the other, rock the gun in a certain direction) were necessary to
clear leather. It was subsequently offered by Safariland as the Model 070, and more than
a million of them have been sold since to uniformed police and security personnel.

In 20 years and 1,000,000 holsters, I'm not aware of a single case of a cop being disarmed
and killed with his or her own weapon out of a Rogers/Safariland SS-III/070 holster. A
few years ago, Safariland came out with the 0701, a holster suitable for concealed-carry
that has two out of three of the retention features that made the 070 such a successful life-
saver. I'm not aware of a gun being snatched out of one of these holsters, either. Any law-
abiding armed citizen can purchase an 0701 from a Safariland dealer.
Is a retention holster tougher for you to draw from? Sure. It requires more practice. Is it
worth the effort? The facts speak for themselves with a resounding YES!

Just because you're a private citizen carrying concealed, don't think that you won't
experience a felonious gun-grab. The gun might become visible and trigger the grab. The
bad guy may be a disgruntled employee who knows where you carry your gun. The
situation may start with a hand-to-hand fight in which he grabs you around the waist and
feels your gun!

Long Gun Retention

In the modern combatives world, when a person mentions weapon retention; they are
often referring to the ability to maintain positive control of a pistol that an attacker is
trying to seize and in turn use against them. It is very rare that you find people that even
think of the need for long gun retention techniques and even fewer that physically train
this material. This line of thinking is due inpart to the fact that the pistol is the primary
weapon for both the law enforcement and armed citizen communities. However, if you
look at the soldier on today's battlefield, people who are unable to own pistols due to laws
of their communities, and others that find a rifle or shotgun in their grasp; the ability to
retain their weapon during a confrontation could well mean the difference between life
and death.

BE AWARE, VERY AWARE

As with any self protective material of any kind; prevention of an attack is the key to
successfully retaining your weapon. Our main method of preventing an attack is through
the use of situational awareness. This term refers to the ability of the weapon bearer to
remain conscious of the events that are going around him and understand the possible
impact they may have upon him. For example, a soldier during a peacekeeping mission is
well aware that roaming groups of protesters present a heightened risk to all those close
by and armed with such knowledge; he can become better prepared, both, mentally and
physically, for a possible attack.

IN CONCLUSION

For the person that relies on a long gun for protection, the ability to keep that weapon
during an attack is a skill that is just as important as the ability to properly use the
weapon. To insure that you have this ability seek out competent training from instructors
that are knowledgeable in this area. A lack to do this could drastically reduce your
chances of surviving an attack that involves gun retention.