Ep. 200 Thoughts

[seeker_two]

These are just my personal observations...please feel free to comment and/or correct me....

REHOLSTERING: Seems like there may be some advantage to having a CCW holster designed so that you have to remove it from your belt/pocket/etc. in order to reholster your weapon. A holster like the N82 items may, in a way, be safer than the Summer Special types that stay attached and have the stiff-mouth openings that tempt you to reholster blind. If you have to take the holster off and reholster with both hands, you have visual and tactile confirmation that your "booger hook is off the bang-switch".

LEO ENCOUNTERS: Having your gun away from your body is the optimal situation. However, if my gun is still on my person when the police arrive, my response is going to be to place both hands on top of my head with fingers interlaced. If the LEO asks if I'm armed, I'll tell him where my weapon (gun, knife, etc.) is. If the LEO orders me to reveal or remove it, I'm responding "NO, SIR/MA'AM. I AM NOT TOUCHING MY WEAPON. I WILL REMAIN STILL AND ALLOW YOU TO SECURE MY WEAPON. I WILL NOT TOUCH MY WEAPON." And I'll stand still until the LEO has done what they need to do. That way, I'm not moving in any threatening way. Also, if the LEO shoots, the LEO will have a hard time explaining to my attorney and the DA why he/she shot a guy whose hand were on top of his head with fingers interlaced.

Just my $0.02.....please discuss.....

[tombogan03884]

Sounds like you have put some thought into this .
I don't like the ideas of having to remove the holster and use both hands for reholstering, but most of my holsters do require the use of both hands, one to manipulate the holster or retaining strap, the other for the gun .
There are some circumstances, such as a lone officer, or confined space where the responding cop would feel much less threatened by having you slowly remove your weapon rather than getting with in arms reach of you to do it himself.
Understand, I am not disagreeing with your reasoning, I am simply playing devils advocate to draw out the thoughts of others.

[Solus]

Don't like the difficult re-holstering idea.

One, it will make practicing  your draw a real PITA

Two, In a live SD situation there could be times when you need to secure your weapon quickly


I too have concerns about handling my weapon when the police are expecting trouble.  I have visions of having the pistol half removed from the holster and strong uncontrollable sneeze come upon me.  I can't imagine a situation short of live fire where an officer would be more on edge.

If the officer would not remove the gun himself, I'd tell him I was going to turn to face as much away from him as I could with my hand and the gun still visible then use my thumb and one finger to remove the gun. 

I would also be concerned should I be instructed to drop the weapon.  That would not be the time to have a drop induced misfire.


Have a friend who tells the story of being pulled over for a speeding violation and the officer asked to see his vehicle registration.

Friend says sure and leans quickly across the car and pops the glove box.  He hears the officer yell FREEZE which he does and looks back to be staring down the barrel of the officers service weapon.  If a flash light or something  had rolled out of the glove  box it might have been a nasty incident, even if my friend didn't make a grab to stop it......

 

[Ichiban]

I figure that if I ever have to actually use my gun it isn't going back in the holster before the police arrive anyway.  Ideally it will be on the ground (and, hopefully, cleared) at my feet when they arrive.  Not that I don't trust them, but I am afraid that there are plenty of cops out there that have no idea how to operate a 1911.  I will follow any instructions that the officer(s) give me.

I have been in a situation where I was at a table and drew my gun in a covert manner when I thought S might HTF.  I liked the idea of being able to covertly return it to its holster when the situation was defused.  I use a IWB Silent Thunder (leather lined kydex) so it is pretty easy to re-holster with one hand.  YMMV.

[tombogan03884]

I like Solus's comment about indexing away from the Cop if you must handle your weapon.
Ichiban also has a good point about the 1911, which is usually carried cocked with the safety on.

[Sponsor]

[Michael Bane]

The LEO will be in control of your movements...you will NOT be allowed to index away. You will be placed on the floor, face down, handcuffed and the officer will continue to pointba gun at you until back-up arrives...then you'll bej disarmed!

Michael B

[Michael Bane]

Sorry...my Sweetie grabbed the iPad...anyway, you will NOT be able to negotiate with the LEO! Once you're in the machine, the machine is going to run all the way to the end. Our basic problem is that we think we're the good guys, and law enforcement should recognize that...that simply isn't the reality. LEO response will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but I have talked to a lot of cops, and what we've presented on TBD and on the podcast is pretty much the consensus.

Everybody has to come to their own strategy, but keep in mind there will be a moment of pure crystalized danger, the first "interface" between you and the law. Your moves must be 100% right.

I think this is a great subject for discussion!

Michael B

[Timothy]

Mike just hit the nail dead center.

The LEO have to make a split second assessment of a dynamic situation that could very well still be active.  They're protecting themselves as they should be.  I learned at a very young age to be polite, obedient and submissive with the cops.  The fact that I may be armed doesn't change that.  It makes it exponentially more important.

[Ichiban]

Oh, goodie!  I get to post this video again.