Self-Defense: Strategies for De-escalating and Disarming an Armed Assailant

It is everyone's worst nightmare: an attack by a man with a gun. Since most people don't carry a weapon, the situation is not good for the person without a gun. Sometimes, help is nowhere near, or too far away to simply run. In those cases, fighting back and disarming your assailant may be the only option. With a few basic maneuvers, you can disarm a man with a gun. Just remember you must act swiftly and decisively if you attempt to fight back.

Instructions

How to Disarm a Man with a Gun

• 1

  Hit the gunman's hand and drive it toward the inside of his body. Keep your legs shoulder width apart, and twist your body for maximum power.

• 2

  Grab the gunman's gun hand with your other hand and pull him toward you. Use your free arm, the one that isn't holding the gunman's hand, to drive your elbow directly into the gunman's jaw.

• 3

  Wrench the gunman's gun arm down, and shake the gun loose from his hand. If he is still holding on to the gun, drive your elbow directly into his jaw again. Try to knock him unconscious.

• 4

  When the gun falls to the ground, push the gunman away and grab the gun.

• 5

  Run for help. If no help is near, turn the gun on the gunman and keep him there until help or the police can arrive.