Bad shooting positions: when you’re down and hurt

…why do people fall when shot? 

Sometimes the bullet hits a support structure like a leg or hip bone. Sometimes the surprise just overwhelms the body. Sometimes people fall because that’s what they’ve been subconsciously programmed to do after seeing people fall in countless movie gunfights.

It doesn’t really matter. Just recognize you may fall in a gunfight. Be able to continue the fight from wherever you may end up.

Take another look at [the picture above].  Imagine yourself in that position.  Could you draw your gun?  Those of you who carry in pants pockets, in the small of your back, or in an off-body holster may be out of luck.

Unload your CCW gun,  Triple check it both visually and physically to ensure that it is unloaded.  Put it in the holster you use for daily carry.  Conceal the gun under a cover garment similar to what you wear when out in public.  Can you draw (preferably without muzzling yourself):

From the standing position?

From a kneeling position?  One knee?  The other knee?  Both knees down?

Sitting on the ground?

Laying on your side? Both sides?

Laying on your back?

Laying on your stomach?


Read the rest of Odd Position Shooting on Active Response Training.


Note: the excerpt above is from an article by Greg Ellifritz on his website (which, for what it’s worth, is a very good one — and one that I visit frequently).  It references a gun battle that occurred in Enon Beach, Ohio several years ago; one that claimed the life of Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Suzanne Hopper. Though that incident involved law enforcement officers, it (and Greg’s article) bring up several points worth examination by anyone who carries a defensive firearm. 

When is the last time you did engaged a training target from a position outside — well outside — your comfort zone?  DR

Rest in peace,  Deputy Suzanne Hopper.

 

David Reeder's Wu Tang name is Lucky Prophet. He is a retired AF veteran, former Peace Officer, and current Tier 2.5 writer-operator. Over the course of his career, he has worked a variety of military and lE billets, served as an Observer-Controller at the National Homeland Security Training Center, a MOUT instructor, and an MTT tracking instructor - all of which sounds much cooler than it really was. Although he only updates his website once in a very great while, he can absolutely be relied upon to post to social media (@reederwrites) at least once a month. -Ish.

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