How do you hold someone at gunpoint?

esrice · 03-30-2008

I don't know that I've ever seen this question posed on a forum before. Its actually a two-part question.

Question #1: When, if ever, is it OK to hold someone at gunpoint?

I'm thinking of a scenario where someone has broken into your home in the middle of the night, and you are awakened by noises in another part of your house. You grab your handgun/rifle/shotgun and go investigate the noise. Upon seeing the BG in your house your yell something like "freeze! I have a gun!" The BG throws up his hands and just stands there. NOW WHAT??

Do you hold him at gunpoint? Do you order him to leave your house, figuring that is better than waiting for the police? What would you do?

Question #2: What is the proper way to hold someone at gunpoint?

Is there an SOP for this? I've never read one in any gun magazine. What verbal commands should you issue? Should the BG lay down or stand up? Face up or face down? Where should his hands be? Should you engage in a verbal conversation during this time? How far away should you stand? Should you always be pointing your gun at the BG? Or just "nearby"? What if the BG becomes combative after he has time to think about his surrendering?

Any ideas??

Paul · 03-30-2008

For #1, i would say anything, once i figured it was an unwanted visitor in my house, they would be shot. But i guess if i did, i would make them lay on the ground with both hands on their head. I would have somebody then call the police and keep the criminal like this tell the police arrive.

I was never told to pull a gun unless you are going to use it. So i dont think i will ever have anybody at gun point.

techres · 03-30-2008

He is laying on the floor with hands on head. He decides otherwise and he is done.

How do you hold a BG at gunpoint? Loudly, with much vulgarity, and with unshakable readiness to end the threat.

I would not for a second take the front post off of the guy's body. Not until the LEO's are through the door and have their posts on him.

esrice · 03-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

For #1, i would say anything, once i figured it was an unwanted visitor in my house, they would be shot.

What about if you just caught the intruder with your stereo in both hands on his way out to his truck? Would you shoot then? He isn't threatening you, but he IS inside your house.

Quote:

But i guess if i did, i would make them lay on the ground with both hands on their head. I would have somebody then call the police and keep the criminal like this tell the police arrive.

Sounds good.

Quote:

I was never told to pull a gun unless you are going to use it. So i dont think i will ever have anybody at gun point.

OK. So would you verbally just tell him to leave? Would you at least brandish the firearm?

I'm not disagreeing with anyone here. It just seems like it would be very possible for this to come up in the "real world". I'm asking so many questions so people will think.

esrice · 03-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by techres

He is laying on the floor with hands on head. He decides otherwise and he is done.

What constitutes "decides otherwise"? Like if he says F.U. and walks out? Or do you mean like if he goes from laying down to getting up? If he is laying down and he starts to move, or get up, do you shoot him in the back? What if he makes a move for what looks like a weapon?

Quote:

How do you hold a BG at gunpoint? Loudly, with much vulgarity, and with unshakable readiness to end the threat.

I can definately see that!

Quote:

I would not for a second take the front post off of the guy's body. Not until the LEO's are through the door and have their posts on him.

OK. Where is your trigger finger? In register on the frame? Or on the trigger?

465guy · 03-30-2008

I would follow basic firearms rules. Finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esrice

OK. Where is your trigger finger? In register on the frame? Or on the trigger?

techres · 03-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by esrice

What constitutes "decides otherwise"? Like if he says F.U. and walks out? Or do you mean like if he goes from laying down to getting up? If he is laying down and he starts to move, or get up, do you shoot him in the back? What if he makes a move for what looks like a weapon?

I can definately see that!

OK. Where is your trigger finger? In register on the frame? Or on the trigger?

1. Guy is in my home and moves to go out an open door, likely let him go as the threat is going from bad to better. This assumes he is at least 21 feet from me.
2. Guy is on his face and begins to get up. Likely shoot him. Threat is going from low to high. Getting up means likely attack or reach for weapon. Seriously, I will not allow him to get up.
3. Where is my trigger finger? That depends on him and the threat level. And he is completely in control of the threat level.

Sure, you catch a guy heading out the door with your toaster it is not a great idea to put 00 Buckshot through his back nor would I. But that is about the only scenario where he does not either surrender immediately or get removed as a threat.

Also, keep in mind - hesitation kills. That and bad guys are more than able to shoot you as they go, it has happened to people before (both CCW and LEO). One guy over at Arfcom had a bad guy staring down the barrel of his .45 and turned to run. The Arfcommer hesitated just long enough for the running bad guy to take his gun and shoot at the good guy while running away (and in the process the BG went from an easy target to a hard one). Fill your mind with litigational fears and you may not pull the trigger when the time comes.

esrice · 03-30-2008

Interesting thoughts!

50+ views and only 6 posts, I know some of you are not saying much. . .

txgho1911 · 03-30-2008

#1 Not sure how to get to this point except by verbal command while presenting handgun/firearm. If goblin chooses to fall on the floor or reach for the sky I am not going to shoot him out of spite.

#2 Very loudly as said before. Keeping him covered. I have been told before to be on the phone or have others calling while keeping goblin covered. When LEOs arrive raise weak hand while point weapon safely off of goblin but not far as you call for help from the officer. This will be a somewhat familiar with offers who regularly train under RSO or other range environments. This way you may not be perceived as much a threat while holding a weapon

Scutter01 · 03-30-2008

And for God's sake STAY OUT OF HIS RANGE! Drives me nuts when I see crap like that in the movies. "Gee, lemme get right up next to him where he can kick the gun out of my hand or something."

Unless, of course, you're planning to secure him with rope, belt, zip ties, cuffs, etc. Then, by all means, stand or kneel on his neck while you do so.

03-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
esrice Former Mod =( Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southside, Indianapolis Posts: 8,505	How do you hold someone at gunpoint? I don't know that I've ever seen this question posed on a forum before. Its actually a two-part question. Question #1: When, if ever, is it OK to hold someone at gunpoint? I'm thinking of a scenario where someone has broken into your home in the middle of the night, and you are awakened by noises in another part of your house. You grab your handgun/rifle/shotgun and go investigate the noise. Upon seeing the BG in your house your yell something like "freeze! I have a gun!" The BG throws up his hands and just stands there. NOW WHAT?? Do you hold him at gunpoint? Do you order him to leave your house, figuring that is better than waiting for the police? What would you do? Question #2: What is the proper way to hold someone at gunpoint? Is there an SOP for this? I've never read one in any gun magazine. What verbal commands should you issue? Should the BG lay down or stand up? Face up or face down? Where should his hands be? Should you engage in a verbal conversation during this time? How far away should you stand? Should you always be pointing your gun at the BG? Or just "nearby"? What if the BG becomes combative after he has time to think about his surrendering? Any ideas??

03-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
Paul Expert Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsboro (Westside) Posts: 1,406	For #1, i would say anything, once i figured it was an unwanted visitor in my house, they would be shot. But i guess if i did, i would make them lay on the ground with both hands on their head. I would have somebody then call the police and keep the criminal like this tell the police arrive. I was never told to pull a gun unless you are going to use it. So i dont think i will ever have anybody at gun point. __________________ Opinions expressed by me are not my actual opinions "The constitution of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." -- Thomas Jefferson "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's teeth and keyston under Independence." --George Washington

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03-30-2008	#3 (permalink)
techres Building Bridges Between Ammo Forts Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bloomington Posts: 4,509	He is laying on the floor with hands on head. He decides otherwise and he is done. How do you hold a BG at gunpoint? Loudly, with much vulgarity, and with unshakable readiness to end the threat. I would not for a second take the front post off of the guy's body. Not until the LEO's are through the door and have their posts on him.

03-30-2008	#8 (permalink)
esrice Former Mod =( Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southside, Indianapolis Posts: 8,505	Interesting thoughts! 50+ views and only 6 posts, I know some of you are not saying much. . .

03-30-2008	#9 (permalink)
txgho1911 Plinker Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 220	#1 Not sure how to get to this point except by verbal command while presenting handgun/firearm. If goblin chooses to fall on the floor or reach for the sky I am not going to shoot him out of spite. #2 Very loudly as said before. Keeping him covered. I have been told before to be on the phone or have others calling while keeping goblin covered. When LEOs arrive raise weak hand while point weapon safely off of goblin but not far as you call for help from the officer. This will be a somewhat familiar with offers who regularly train under RSO or other range environments. This way you may not be perceived as much a threat while holding a weapon

03-30-2008	#10 (permalink)
Scutter01 President of the Bacon States of America Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Verify range to target, one RFC792 ICMP type 8 packet only, please. Posts: 11,970	And for God's sake STAY OUT OF HIS RANGE! Drives me nuts when I see crap like that in the movies. "Gee, lemme get right up next to him where he can kick the gun out of my hand or something." Unless, of course, you're planning to secure him with rope, belt, zip ties, cuffs, etc. Then, by all means, stand or kneel on his neck while you do so.