How to Disarm a Gun Pointed at You
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Standard Gun Defence Technique·Jason Hanson·Added by Admin
Gun disarming may fail if you don't know the basic principles of it. So in this video, I show you the best and easiest w…
Standard Gun Defence Technique
Genusスタンダード銃防御技(Sutandādo Jū Bōgyo-waza)
HybridTranslation: standard gun defence technique
Overview
The Standard Gun Defence Technique executes the fundamental handgun disarm by simultaneously redirecting the muzzle away from the body with one hand while stepping offline, then immediately securing the weapon hand with both hands and stripping the firearm from the attacker's grip. [1] The sequence is: redirect (push the gun aside), control (secure the weapon with both hands), counter (strike or knee the attacker to disrupt their resistance), and disarm (strip the weapon using leverage against the thumb). [1],[2] The entire sequence must be performed as a single explosive action, as any hesitation allows the attacker to recover control. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The standard gun defence technique was developed through military and law enforcement training, refined through extensive testing with force-on-force simulation. [1] It is taught in Krav Maga, military combatives, and law enforcement defensive tactics programmes worldwide, with the understanding that it represents a last-resort option in life-threatening situations. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
A standard technique for defending against firearms threats. [1]
Lineage
From Krav Maga curriculum. [1]
Competition Record
A self-defence technique. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
Position & Entry
From clinch or ground — When the opponent secures a controlling grip, use two-on-one, stripping, or peeling motions to break their hold
As preemptive defence — Break the opponent's grip before they can execute their intended technique
Variants
Standard defence — primary defensive technique from the most common position
Reactive defence — triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for maximum protection
Proactive defence — anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it early
Counter defence — using the defensive movement to create an immediate counter-attack opportunity
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Weapon defence scenarios involve lethal threats; failure risk is catastrophic
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓Standard front gun defence execution: redirect the muzzle offline, control the weapon hand with two hands, deliver counter-strikes, and strip the weapon (Krav Maga Global, Firearms Defence, 2015)
✓Step 1: simultaneously redirect the barrel to the side (away from your centre line) with the near hand while stepping offline
✓Step 2: immediately secure two-handed control of the gun hand — one hand on the barrel, one on the attacker's hand/wrist
✓Step 3: rotate the weapon toward the attacker while delivering knee strikes, headbutts, or other close-range counters
✓Step 4: strip the weapon by rotating it against the attacker's thumb — the same peeling principle as knife disarms
✓Step 5: once disarmed, create distance immediately and assess for additional threats
✓The muzzle redirect is the most critical fraction of a second — everything else follows from successfully moving the muzzle offline
✓The entire sequence should take 2-3 seconds from redirect to disarm — speed comes from thousands of repetitions
✓After the disarm: in military context, retain and use the weapon; in civilian context, create distance and call for help
Common Mistakes
!Redirecting the muzzle toward your own body at any point during the disarm — maintain constant awareness of muzzle direction
!Grabbing only the barrel without controlling the attacker's hand — the hand controls the weapon; barrel control alone is insufficient
!Not stepping offline during the redirect — your body must move off the muzzle line, not just your hands
!Performing the disarm slowly or tentatively — the entire sequence must be explosive and committed
!Not delivering counter-strikes during the disarm — strikes destabilize the attacker and prevent them from resisting the disarm
!Attempting to chamber-check or verify the weapon after disarming — create distance first; inspect later
!Training the technique only against a stationary partner — add movement, verbal aggression, and scenario variation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007) [2] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007) [3] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault (Lichtenfeld & Yanilov, 2001)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007) [2] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007) [3] Complete Guide to Krav Maga (Killebrew, 2007)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault (Lichtenfeld & Yanilov, 2001)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting technique, forearm endurance, timing
Favours
strong hands and forearms, quick stripping motions
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, wrist rotators, biceps
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first step when someone points a gun at me?
Get out of line with the barrel immediately so that if the gun fires, the bullet won't hit you. At the same time, grab the barrel firmly with your hand.
Why do I need to reach behind the gun during a disarm?
Reaching behind the gun prevents the attacker from pulling it back away from you if they try to retain it. This hand placement blocks their ability to regain control of the weapon.
Which direction should I rotate the gun after I grab it?
Always rotate the gun away from your body and never in front of your face, because if the gun fires during the disarm, you don't want to shoot yourself. Point it in a safe direction away from yourself and any bystanders.
What equipment should I use to practice gun disarms safely?
Always use a rubber training gun and never use a real firearm, even an empty one. Practice slowly at first to build muscle memory before increasing speed.
How does the Standard Gun Defence Technique work?
The Standard Gun Defence Technique executes the fundamental handgun disarm by simultaneously redirecting the muzzle away from the body with one hand while stepping offline, then immediately securing the weapon hand with both hands and stripping the firearm from the attacker's grip. The sequence is: redirect (push the gun aside), control (secure the weapon with both hands), counter (strike or knee the attacker to disrupt their resistance), and disarm (strip the weapon using leverage against the thumb).
Where does the Standard Gun Defence Technique come from?
The standard gun defence technique was developed through military and law enforcement training, refined through extensive testing with force-on-force simulation. It is taught in Krav Maga, military combatives, and law enforcement defensive tactics programmes worldwide, with the understanding that it represents a last-resort option in life-threatening situations.
Is the Standard Gun Defence Technique legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — weapon defence scenarios involve lethal threats; failure risk is catastrophic
How do I set up the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Standard Gun Defence Technique in competition?
A self-defence technique.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
Top errors to watch for: Redirecting the muzzle toward your own body at any point during the disarm — maintain constant awareness of muzzle di… / Grabbing only the barrel without controlling the attacker's hand — the hand controls the weapon; barrel control alone… / Not stepping offline during the redirect — your body must move off the muzzle line, not just your hands / Performing the disarm slowly or tentatively — the entire sequence must be explosive and committed.
What are other names for the Standard Gun Defence Technique?
The Standard Gun Defence Technique is also known as Sutandādo Jū Bōgyo-waza, Basic Gun Disarm, Standard Pistol Redirect, Krav Maga Gun Defence.