Surviving an Armed Attack: Control

The second step to surviving an armed assault is to control the suspect’s weapon once you have caught the suspect’s weapon arm. There are some solid techniques that can make this much safer, but it is not a complicated concept. Put simply, hang on to the suspect’s weapon like your life depends upon it, because it does.

An easy exercise to develop your skills at controlling your opponent’s weapon is to have your partner hold a permanent marker and try to write on you, while you attempt to prevent him from doing it. This sounds very simple, but it will provide you with some basic skills that might save your life.

It is much easier to safely control a blunt instrument or firearm than it is to safely control an edged weapon. A suspect must be able to strike you with a blunt instrument to inflict damage. He must be able to point the firearm at you to shoot you. If you grapple over a bladed weapon, expect to be cut and prepare yourself mentally to deal with the sight of your own blood.

This is part 3 in a 4 part series called Surviving an Armed Attack: Catch, Control, and Neutralize.

• Part 1: Surviving an Armed Attack: Catch, Control, and Neutralize
• Part 2: Surviving an Armed Attack: Catch
• Part 3: Surviving an Armed Attack: Control
• Part 4: Surviving an Armed Attack: Neutralize

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