Controlling the “Arch of Fire” safely

Author: Odhinn Kohout

The scenario of facing a firearm is a horrible one…

 

 

I would encourage you to teach some basic principles of controlling the muzzle direction to your Officers as it may be of great benefit to them. I want to go over some essential information that I believe should be included in whatever scenario that you come up with to teach your class.

1.       Your first movement may cause the bad-guy to pull the trigger through an involuntarily startled flinch response so expect the firearm to go immediately and anticipate the noise so that you remain in control. The field of fire is MOST crucial at this moment so whatever you are going to do, you must clear the muzzle.

2.       In an enclosed space you will experience auditory exclusion from the round going off and will temporarily lose some of your ability to hear.

3.       The percussive effects close to the muzzle vary depending upon the weapon. For example: If you have your face near the muzzle of a shotgun with a magnum round it will cause fatal damage even though you have not technically been shot. 

4.       The ejection port if close to your eyes may blind you when the gin cycles a round so create as must distance as soon as possible between you and the gun when you decide to take action.

5.       Assume a multi-attacker mindset during every technique. You would completely fixated on the firearm which has been pointed at you may suffer tunnel vision and lose your eyes ability to see any peripheral objects, people or movements.

Train hard Gentlemen.