I've come across a few references to the idea of shooting a handgun from within a pocket.
This video demonstrates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAYkoXtulWI
One idea I've read is that it could be faster than drawing, although I doubt that unless the hand is already in the pocket.
The big disadvantage of shooting from within the pocket is the inability to use the sights or even aim the gun. It can be pointed at best.
But what about the fact that the gun is practically drawn?
I remember one time I was driving away from a campground in a National Forest and a man stopped me. He was apparently nervous and decided to feign having a gun in the pocket of his nylon jacket before approaching the driver's door. The conversation didn't have any substance. I found out later that he was probably trying to delay me until the police arrived because he had mistaken me for the perpetrator of a crime that I hadn't committed and that probably hadn't even occurred. I survived the ensuing police encounter a few miles down the highway because I was compliant and nobody made any more mistakes.
It got me to thinking though. I think most State laws would prohibit brandishing unless the circumstances justify the use of lethal force. But can a person brandish a gun so long as it's under a folded newspaper or in a paper bag? What about if it's covered by nothing more than a jacket pocket? If you turn down a dark alley, is it lawful to have your hand on the grips and your finger on the trigger guard and the muzzle pointed forward, just so long as it's inside your coat pocket?
Now what if you've got a gun pointed at you that way? I suppose if it were a wool peacot or heavy duck chorecoat it might be hard to tell what's really in the pocket. The guy who pointed his fingers at me inside his thin nylon jacket pocket evidently wanted me to believe he had me covered. Suppose someone did point a pocket gun at you from inside their pocket. How much more of their intent needs to be clear before you are justified in using lethal force?
This video demonstrates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAYkoXtulWI
One idea I've read is that it could be faster than drawing, although I doubt that unless the hand is already in the pocket.
The big disadvantage of shooting from within the pocket is the inability to use the sights or even aim the gun. It can be pointed at best.
But what about the fact that the gun is practically drawn?
I remember one time I was driving away from a campground in a National Forest and a man stopped me. He was apparently nervous and decided to feign having a gun in the pocket of his nylon jacket before approaching the driver's door. The conversation didn't have any substance. I found out later that he was probably trying to delay me until the police arrived because he had mistaken me for the perpetrator of a crime that I hadn't committed and that probably hadn't even occurred. I survived the ensuing police encounter a few miles down the highway because I was compliant and nobody made any more mistakes.
It got me to thinking though. I think most State laws would prohibit brandishing unless the circumstances justify the use of lethal force. But can a person brandish a gun so long as it's under a folded newspaper or in a paper bag? What about if it's covered by nothing more than a jacket pocket? If you turn down a dark alley, is it lawful to have your hand on the grips and your finger on the trigger guard and the muzzle pointed forward, just so long as it's inside your coat pocket?
Now what if you've got a gun pointed at you that way? I suppose if it were a wool peacot or heavy duck chorecoat it might be hard to tell what's really in the pocket. The guy who pointed his fingers at me inside his thin nylon jacket pocket evidently wanted me to believe he had me covered. Suppose someone did point a pocket gun at you from inside their pocket. How much more of their intent needs to be clear before you are justified in using lethal force?