threat, gun leg forward, kneel, draw). Although I prefer the second gun in the pocket, ankle carry is yet another viable choice for keeping a BUG out of sight, yet reasonably accessible.
Other Essential Tools As indicated earlier, the ability
to respond with both high- and low- force options is highly desirable. For example, you may have drawn your firearm, but the behavior of the indi- vidual you are confronting does not rise to the level where deadly force is justified. Can you escape? Or, do you now find yourself in a position where a lower level of force is necessary to ensure your safety? Tools that might help you escape or even control an aggressor include, OC spray and a small tactical flashlight. In the last few years, tactical pens — which dou- ble as a writing implement and a less lethal weapon — have also come on the market. Truth be told, my on the job ex-
perience with OC spray was sort of a mixed bag. When aggressive indi- viduals took a good hit, they weren’t necessarily out of “fight,” but they were much easier to bring under con- trol. The trick, of course, was to make sure the bad guy got a full snoot of it in order to obtain the desired result, while not contaminating the good guys — easier said than done! The best personal OC delivery
system I’ve seen is Kimber’s Pepper- Blaster II. This system bears a strong resemblance to the squirt gun you had as a kid, but with a very different payload. Instead of water, the Pep- perBlaster II packs a double-barrel burst of OC. When activated, the PepperBlaster II delivers its OC pay- load at 90 mph, making it very diffi- cult to evade. Should another dose be required or a second player want to join the fun, press the trigger again. Hopefully, this very decisive applica- tion of OC will allow you time to dis- engage and escape, or go to another force option. In addition to giving you the ability
to probe the darkness and ID poten- tial threats, a small tactical light can fill other roles. Tactical lights make ef- fective impact weapons and in trained hands, can also be used for takedown assists and pain compliance. Shining a bright light into the eyes of an ag- gressor can also pay dividends. Of late, I’ve been working out with
a BTL-150-HLS from Brite-Strike. This light puts out up to 150 lumens of intense white light and also has
WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM
strobe capability. Strobing plays hav- oc with an aggressor’s ocular reflex rate and the brain’s ability to process visual information. Essentially, a strobing light directed into an aggres- sor’s eyes will interrupt his thought process and give you the opportunity to go to plan B. Lastly, let’s consider the role of a
folding knife. Knives, by and large, are utility tools that can save your life in an emergency. Fixed blades are infinitely better fighting weapons, but folders are more practical and present less legal hassles, an important qual- ity for the responsible citizen. The new Spyderco Perrin PPT
is an example of a folder that can fill both utility and defensive roles. Consistent with my low-profile ap- proach to personal weapons, the Per- rin PPT doesn’t shout “death knife” and its appearance is unlikely to set off any alarm. This folder features a unique hybrid locking system, modi- fied Wharncliffe-profile blade made of CPV-530V steel and a G10 handle with milled scales for a positive grip. A deep-carry pocket clip handle and lanyard completes the package. As with all Spyderco folders, the Per- rin PPT has the proprietary “hole- in-the-blade” to facilitate quick, 2-handed opening.
Stay In The Fight Many practitioners give lip service
to practicing with their BUG, but few actually follow through. Shooting that second gun, of course, is a logi- cal first step, but that only represents part of the picture. To put this in proper prospective,
consider the real-world application of the backup. A likely scenario is that your primary gun is down for the count and that familiar tap/rack drill isn’t bringing it back to life. I would conclude it’s not a good idea to leave guns lying around the battlefield, even if you believe they are inoperable. The bottom line is you still have to control the inoperable primary handgun as your BUG is brought into play. This is yet another reason why I
favor support-side pocket carry. With the primary handgun still controlled by the dominant hand, I bring it in close to the body as I draw and fire the BUG with the support hand. Like most everything else in life, my pre- ferred carry mode isn’t perfect, but offers me the most flexible response. Lost your gun in a fight and have
been taken to the ground? What if your assailant is now sitting on your
chest and is trying to beat you sense- less with a bottle or other object? By crossing your legs and drawing from an ankle holster, you can quickly turn the tables. Once again, ankle carry is a compromise, but can give you fast access to your gun from a supine or seated position. Don’t forget that folding knife.
Many years ago, I attended a class put on by Dennis Martin of Liver- pool, England. In one of his drills, Dennis had the class run their pis- tols dry then draw and open their folders. This was a revelation! For even a better dose of harsh reality, get some protective gear on and try drawing and opening your folder as a training partner bounces you around a bit. This is a lot tougher than you might think, but it can be done. In the end, form doesn’t mat- ter, only results.
Ready Or Not It has been said that if your only
tool is a hammer, everything starts looking like a nail. Should we apply this logic to personal defense, hav- ing a gun as your only force option leaves you at a deficit. Shooting, or even drawing without proper legal justification, can lead to all sorts of legal problems. Clearly, a means of effectively dealing with what we per- ceive to be lesser threats, should be part of our game plan. Law enforcement officers have
no other alternative but to confront danger. Responsible citizens, on the other hand, are best advised to avoid it. If, however, you find yourself in a situation where violence may be directed at you or loved ones, escape is the best strategy. Break and run may not sound like the manly thing to do, but it beats the pants off serious injury, attorney fees or possible incarceration stemming from a violent confrontation. If confronted by lower levels of
aggressive behavior, less-lethal tools such as OC or even a burst of white light will temporarily alter an as- sailant’s behavior and allow you to disengage or consider other force options. Should you carry a gun, I would strongly advise you to get fa- miliar with some basic empty-hand techniques and tactics. A second gun, discreetly hidden
on your person, provides you with the means to prevail in that worse case scenario. Like lifeboats and parachutes, a BUG only matters if you really need it. *
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