Originally Posted by Darkenfast
I don't participate in competition, so please correct me if I am wrong, but is there any drill in these sports that awards points for drawing quickly and NOT shooting? That's one of the biggest issues to me. I realized a long time ago that, in my case at least, I have to be careful about developing an equal skill at drawing or pointing a pistol and not puling the trigger. If I work on fast-draw type exercises, it's great fun, but it's also too easy to get into a bad habit of automatically firing. I think some shooting games may exacerbate this. Your thoughts?
The short answer is yes. Some scenarios are set up such that there are penalties for engaging a target that comes suddenly into view that is not a threat. An example would be a silhouette target that is displaying empty hands rather than a weapon, etc.
Originally Posted by Rastoff
The decision to shoot, especially in self defense, should be made before you present the gun. In other words, don't take your gun out unless you have to use it in defense of your life or of another innocent.
I suggest that a better answer might be not to present a weapon unless an imminent threat to life is perceived to exist. In a number situations one would be unwise to
not have the gun drawn. The decision to shoot/not shoot would follow. In such a situation the weapon is in a firing grip but is left in a "low ready" or some other position not indexed on the possible threat. An example would be clearing one's dwelling where a threat could be anticipated at very close quarters, lunging around a corner for instance. Or an "active shooter" conflict where the defender has chosen to take cover in another portion of a structure to avoid confrontation, but is later intruded upon by the prowling shooter.
So many "games" can be set up to require thought, discretion and restraint. I think games get us into trouble when we obsess about the clock or get into a "stand and fight" mentality at the expense of opting for cover or escape.
Originally Posted by Rastoff
Now, there will be some who claim that presenting your gun, without shooting, will diffuse a situation. I'm not one of those. If I can't diffuse the situation without my gun, I'm in too deep already and will probably have to shoot anyway.
I agree that "the mere presence of a firearm" as a means of diffusing a bad situation (as articulated monthly by the NRA in it's Armed Citizen column each month) is a shaky concept, and an invitation to have a situation spin really badly out of control.
But don't forget that in between the drawing of the gun and shooting there are other options. Specifically, controlling behavior that must not be allowed to continue with verbal commands. Commands shouted out loud such as "STOP! Show me your hands!" and so forth may prevent further escalation. If words don't suffice to control a lethal threat, then compliance can be obtained with gunfire. Incremental escalation of force.
As a personal protection instructor I insist that students train using verbal commands. I also advocate incorporation of verbal commands into the scoring of tactical games.
