Defensive Displays

L

Lokpyrite

New member
Howdy folks, Have any of you had to display a firearm to disuade attacks and if so have you used a small handgun? I'm refering to guns like a PF9 or LCP. Has the fact that the gun wasn't large hurt it's ability to stop an attack?
 
I was out by myself late one night in downtown Indianapolis. My truck was parked about 2 blocks away. As I was walking along, I spotted a guy giving me the eye. He let me go on by then started walking about 20 ft. behind me. We were going through a long underpass with an alley at the end. I spotted the guy's M.O. and decided to put a stop to it. I stopped about 15 ft. from the alley and bent down like I was tying my shoe. Had a Smith airweight on ankle holster.
While I was bent down, the guy walked right up behind me and stopped. I pulled the piece, raised up and turned in one motion and put it about 2 inches from his nose and asked what I could do for him. His eyes got big as plates, he hollered "The fxxker's got a gun and took off so fast his felony shoes caught on fire. I heard his accomplices in the alley beatin feet away from the opening. Their footsteps thundered loudly, as the alley was lined by tall brick buildings. I stood there for about 30 seconds and then walked on to my truck.
I hope they gave a change of occupation some serious thought.
I also made a citizen's arrest at gunpoint of a burgler and maybe rapist in Pompano Beach Fla. when I lived down there. Sheriff's deputy gladly took that scumbag to jail. Said they had been after him in the area for quite awhile. John
 
Last edited:
Quite a few years ago, I dialed 911 to report a burglary in progress at the rear side door of a neighbor's house. I casually strolled over to the fence, and showed the wannabe burglar my Colt Detective Special. He took off like a rocket-powered jack rabbit. The boys in the blue uniforms arrived about half an hour later, sirens blazing and lights flashing, to find the crime hadn't been committed, after all.
 
I find that reaching back towards your gun/holster will make most bad guys eying you for an easy score move on.

We also have some aggressive panhandlers around my area and a reach back with weak hand extended will make their eyes bulge.

My gun comes out only when a direct threat is posed and so far that hasn't happened.
 
Displaying a handgun when there is no show of obvious deadly force towards you or threat of serious bodily injury can land you in a heap of trouble. There is no doubt that you did perceive something about to happen with astute situational awareness.

It's a tough call and all is well that ends well for you. As some say, it is far better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6. It is far better to be safe than sorry.... And all the other like sayings.

In the end, we all have to do what we think is best to protect ourselves. Practicing restraint is as important as practicing quick draw. In any decision making process that carries dire consequences if we make the wrong move, or the right move for that matter, it is important to analyze the event and ask, "What would a prudent, unbiased observer say about your actions in the situation you were in?"
 
In Dec 1996 I was working in a retail outlet in a small town about 40 miles from my home on a temporary assignment. In my job, I am absolutely denied the right to carry, but I made the decision to carry as my employer had really placed me in peril as this building that I was working in had no rear exit, the only way out was the front door. On this Friday afternoon about 1:00pm 2 guys entered and one leaned against the wall by the door and the other approached the counter and started to ask various questions. It was obvious to me immediately what was up, so I placed my hand in my pocket fairly quickly and never removed it as the guy questioned me. After a few minutes of these pointless questions he asked if he could use a pair of scissors that were on the rear side of the counter. I politely told him that I did not think that I needed to do that, as I reached to move them. At that moment I realized that he was closer to the scissors than was I so I also made the determination that if he grabbed those scissors before I could reach them to move them out of the way, that I would present my weapon, a J-frame, and place 2 rounds into him quickly if he did not retreat or drop the scissors. He stood at the counter, kind of leaned toward them and stared at me as I took the steps necessary to get within reach of the scissors. Apparently he had noticed that I was matter of fact with him and that I had never taken my hand out of my pocket while talking with him because he never said a word while backing away to turn and leave with his friend.

Immediately upon their exit, I locked the door and called the Sheriff's Office that was about 3 miles away and told them what had just taken place. I informed them that the guys had done nothing wrong, but it did not feel right. The Sheriff, himself, came around to the business and talked with me and assured me that if I felt that something was wrong, it probably was. As hard as it is to believe, while he was there with me, he got a call on the radio telling him that 2 guys matching my description of them and their car had just robbed a store up the road by borrowing a knife from the owner and using it as their weapon for the robbery.

I must confess that I have lived my life in Cooper's condition yellow without really having an overt reason other than that is just how I am. After this transpired, I was thankful that my situational awareness was on the job that day and on 2 other times when it has saved me.
 
Last edited:
I was out by myself late one night in downtown Indianapolis. My truck was parked about 2 blocks away. As I was walking along, I spotted a guy giving me the eye. He let me go on by then started walking about 20 ft. behind me. We were going through a long underpass with an alley at the end. I spotted the guy's M.O. and decided to put a stop to it. I stopped about 15 ft. from the alley and bent down like I was tying my shoe. Had a Smith airweight on ankle holster.
While I was bent down, the guy walked right up behind me and stopped. I pulled the piece, raised up and turned in one motion and put it about 2 inches from his nose and asked what I could do for him. His eyes got big as plates, he hollered "The fxxker's got a gun and took off so fast his felony shoes caught on fire. I heard his accomplices in the alley beatin feet away from the opening. Their footsteps thundered loudly, as the alley was lined by tall brick buildings. I stood there for about 30 seconds and then walked on to my truck.
Click to expand...

Wonderful! No machismo posturing, no panicking. Just short and simple! :)
 
Shootniron
Immediately upon their exit, I locked the door and called the Sheriff's Office that was about 3 miles away and told them what had just taken place. I informed them that the guys had done nothing wrong, but it did not feel right. The Sheriff, himself, came around to the business and talked with me and assured me that if I felt that something was wrong, it probably was. As hard as it is to believe, while he was there with me, he got a call on the radio telling him that 2 guys matching my description of them and their car had just robbed a store up the road by borrowing a knife from the owner and using it as their weapon for the robbery.
Click to expand...

Three cheers for INTUITION. It invariably rises from its dormancy during critical periods. Learn how to read 'em and stay safe. ;)
 
It seems to me that the size of the handgun you may present as your defense weapon doesn't much matter when its about 2 inches from the BG's nose does it? That barrel looks as big as a cannon when its that up close and personal. I hope to never actually be in the position to feel threatened let alone have to present it.
I have been alternating between the .38 special and the Walther PPK .380, both rather small in the scheme of things. But .38 is more comfortable to carry under my belt over the right hip and it doesn't fall out.
 
Defensive display is not a technique of value. While some attacks have stopped when a weapon is displayed, there is the possibility that the attacker will not be phased and might even be emboldened. The size of the weapon is irrelevant. I once drew a S&W M27 on an enraged attacker and it had no effect on him.
 
One thing that I would like to say about my earlier post is that as I was writing it, I could not convey the stress that I was under trying my best to evaluate the info as I was taking in and make the right decisions about what to do. It was probably the most stressful thing that I had been through in my life to that point. I have been through 2 situations since then and while they were different, they were not nearly as stressful. I think that having gone through that first deal served to better prepare me for the following ones. After the first time, I KNEW that it really could happen. I also KNEW to listen when the alarm bells went off.
 
A friend of mine had to draw once on a large, aggressive idiot. My friend has some medical issues that would make a beating of any type a serious threat of partial paralysis, so he doesn't go hands-on, period. He's also the quiet, peaceful type.

Not sure why this guy got irate with my friend, but he came charging at him. My friend drew, and without even thinking about it thrust the muzzle of his .38 into the guy's solar plexus hard enough to drive the air out of him. Guy looked down, saw the .38, yelped, and ran away.

Side note: One nice thing about a revolver, it didn't get knocked out of battery.

Side note 2: My friend really wasn't intending to use his gun as a blunt weapon, it just sort of happened in the stress of the moment.

My friend filed a police report. I don't think much ever came of it.
 
mrbro said:
Defensive display is not a technique of value. While some attacks have stopped when a weapon is displayed, there is the possibility that the attacker will not be phased and might even be emboldened. The size of the weapon is irrelevant. I once drew a S&W M27 on an enraged attacker and it had no effect on him.
Click to expand...


Research has repeatedly shown this opinion to be wrong. In a significant percentage of incidents, the mere display of a firearm is enough to end aggression. The NRA conducted an analysis of incidents published in The Armed Citizen portion of it's journals. Those incidents suggest that the display of a gun with zero shots fired ended aggressive action in 28% of cases.

While 28% is certainly not a number to count on, it shows without question that "defensive display" has value in a very significant number of incidents.
 
many years ago when i was about 17 i was at my mothers house in the city staying for a couple weeks because it was close to hunting season and her city was near some really good hunting grounds....

What happened was i went out to smoke a cigarette and halfway thru i heard commotion on the otherside of the trees across the street and someone was screaming "rape help"....i grabbed my ruger single six and some shoes and booked it across the street and run thru the brush and sure enough some disgusting scumbag was tearing at a girl....

I just kept running and put my boot into his kidney as hard as i could and as he rolled onto his back i cocked my wee 22magnum and pointed it at his face an told him not to move...i think the sound is what made his eyes bug out...a single action revolver sounds like business....

Suffice to say the girl got up an proceeded to kick him in some choice areas before he got up an ran for his car and when he tore out of the road he burnt sideways right in front of a cruiser coming down the road and they went after him....i asked her if she was ok and then i booked it because i wasnt sure if being 17 i could carry my pistol for anything other than hunting Whether for a good deed or not i wasnt gonna pay a ticket for helping someone


But suffice to say its not the size that matters....its how you use it...which goes for that loser too

I hope the cops got to talk to her and he got what he deserved
 
If one must draw a gun in a situation where there is no actual threat I'd say that fastlead did it the right way, with one small caveat. 2 inches is too close. More distance would be better.

This has gotta be the toughest situation to deal with. The situation like this where you are making an informed judgement call on a potential attackers intentions. You can't just wait until he attacks you. But you can't go charging towards him with weapon drawn when he is 20 feet away with his hands in his pockets. Tough judgement call. Right option chosen in fastlead scenario and situation handled. Good on ya!
 
Last edited:
The time I totally faked it

MrWesson:
I find that reaching back towards your gun/holster will make most bad guys eying you for an easy score move on.

We also have some aggressive panhandlers around my area and a reach back with weak hand extended will make their eyes bulge.

My gun comes out only when a direct threat is posed and so far that hasn't happened.
Click to expand...

I'm embarrassed (but not ashamed) to admit that I not only used this tactic (when I didn't even have a gun!), but I coupled it with a pretty good impersonation of a cop.

The scene: a midtown NYC park, circa 1978:

A mutt was [aggressively panhandling or about to purse-snatch or worse; take your pick] an old lady on a park bench. From 20 or 30 ft. away I said, "Hey, knock it off! Get out of here!"

He responded by very aggressively and threateningly telling me to mind my own [blankety-blanking] business, and starting to move toward me.

I was a good bit younger then, and more willing to mix it up, but still wasn't looking for it (even though I had challenged him). But I couldn't have just ignored what he was doing.

I held my right hand out in front of me and reached back toward the 8 o'clock position where everybody (especially skells) knew most (left-handed) local detectives tended to carry and I said something like, "Please, don't make me spend the rest of the day filling out paperwork!"

I guess I had the tonsorial and sartorial look, and the attitude, going for me.

[I was also visualizing my trusty 3" Model 36. But it was miles away, locked in a trunk!]

He threw up both hands and said "OK, OK!" and retreated a few paces, then turned and ran.

Disclaimer: I don't know if I can even say it was a judgment call, because it came pretty naturally and without much thought. I certainly don't advocate using or relying on such a tactic. It certainly could have gone down a lot differently. But, Thank God, it worked.
 
Last edited:
It is less the appearance /size of the gun, than the attitude/demeanor of the person with it. I was a plainclothes Fed, and displayed my gun a few times when I could not access my badge at the same time (I changed how I carried my badge after that).

Early on I adopted the idea that "if they were going to hurt me, I was going to hurt them worse first!" At the change from condition yellow to orange I bladed toward the outlaw, got my hands up to chest level, and made it clear there was no way I would allow him to hurt me. If I perceived 'an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm' the gun came out, raised to eye level, with appropriate voice commands.

I never had to shoot. I did have to let some of them clean up in the restroom before being taken to jail.

But it is NEVER the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog! On occasion, when someone just indicated they were planning on resisting, I requested an ambulance to my location.
"Who is the ambulance for?"
'You, if you don't do exactly as I say!"

Worked every time. And the size of my gun (usually a sub-compact 9mm Custom made gun, smaller than a PPK) never mattered. It was my obvious determination to use it.
 
Last edited:
This is another addendum to my earlier post.

Let me say that I am paid by my employer to abide by the rules of conduct as it relates to employees. The 2 month period that I was on that temporary assignment is the only time that I have carried while doing my job and I DO NOT advocate anyone violating company rules to carry. However, I was convinced that this was a dangerous position for me to be in as I had no where to go in order to gain distance from anyone trying to do me harm. This was an office of about 400sqft that just offered no protection at all and I worked this office alone scheduling service and collecting for service work. I actually worked in that location for 2 weeks before talking it over with my wife and concluding that I needed to do what I felt like was necessary for my protection.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top