Act when Held at Gunpoint

If you've ever been robbed at gunpoint, you know what it's like, how they steal your money, your property, and your dignity. You know you could have been killed easily if you said one thing wrong, done one thing they didn't like. For those who haven't, here's what you need to do if you ever find yourself in this terrible situation.

Steps

Giving a Mugger What They Ask For

  1. Try not to act angry or weak. They will take even more advantage of you than they already are. Be calm, or at least act calm. Assume they have no qualms about killing you; it's quite likely that they don't.
  2. Do not retaliate! Never forget that you are being held at gunpoint, and could be killed at any moment. You don't want this theft to escalate into homicide.
  3. Give them what they want, and do not hold back. After all, which is more important to you: your life or your wallet?
  4. When they run, call emergency services, but make sure they are at least one hundred feet away, and/or their weapon is out of range. Take some time to calm yourself down.

Trying to Fight a Mugger

  • This method is highly discouraged as it is extremely dangerous and will almost always  end up in a homicide.
  1. Try not to act foolish or weak, they will take more advantage of you than they already are. Be calm, or at least act calm. Assume they have no qualms about killing you; it's quite likely that they don't.
  2. Cooperate. If they tell you to turn around, do so. Again, cooperate, you don't want them to shoot you. Don't do anything they don't tell you to - this will not help you with the escape. One wrong move and you could be shot.
  3. Try to identify which hand they are using to hold the gun. To do this, don't make an aggressive turn but try to act like you're following what they say to do. Once you figure out which hand the gun is in, go to the next step.
  4. Wait for the gun to be at your back. If you act too early, you will be in the way and they could shoot you or they would try to hit you with the gun. If you wait for the gun to be at your back, you can then perform the maneuver.
  5. Once you've identified which hand the gun is in and when the gun is at your back, turn to the same side the gun is. This will move the gun out of your way.
  6. Once the gun is out of the way, do whatever you can to fight them, bite them, claw them, punch them, but be cautious not to have the gun pointing at you. If you can, attempt to knock the gun out of their hands.
  7. If the gun is out their hands, move it somewhere they can't have easy reach. For example, kick it away or throw it somewhere they can't reach without having to let you go for a moment.
  8. If you can hold them down, call emergency services for police and keep them down unless you want to attempt to run away.

Escaping a Kidnapping

  1. Always keep your cell phone in your front pocket. Call emergency services, discretely, but don't say anything if you can't without being noticed yet. Let them record that you called.
  2. Retaliate against them. Try to get away as most kidnappers don't want to kill you, at least not outright; they want to take you.
  3. Once you are out of their grasps, get on the phone with emergency services. Tell them your address, describe the kidnappers if possible, and tell them you need help now.
  4. Run to civilization! Find a busy area, and run into a busy store or get a car to stop and quickly yell what's happening to you. Tell them "I need to get in two guys are chasing me!" or something like that. Chances are that they will let you in. If there are many witnesses around, the kidnappers will likely stop. But call emergency services anyway, because they might be waiting around the corner when you leave. The point is to get near people. Scream 'fire' - This is the best way to get noticed.

Tips

  • Get self defense training to be prepared before it happens.
  • Take defensive shooting. Many indoor shooting ranges offer defensive shooting classes taught by an NRA instructor and many police departments offer defensive shooting for civilians.
    • Join a shooting range and practice what you've learned. Practice with different types of handguns so that you can get a feel for what will be best for you. Most shooting ranges will rent one to you to use at their range.
    • Purchase your weapon. Make sure it's easy to conceal and that it has adequate stopping power.
    • Get a gun permit and carry your weapon. Carry your gun concealed in a way so that you can quickly draw it when you need it.
  • (Optional) Get a self defense weapon. Don't try to get something that would be very noticeable such as a large gun or a hot pink can of pepper spray, get a self defense weapon such as a can of pepper spray but be cautious on getting the gun of of your way on attacking.
  • (Optional) Don't go in places that are not in public view, most people get jumped usually in an alley or somewhere they wouldn't be seen. Stay away from these areas.
  • Never be afraid, have courage in your self if you attempt to attack, but still be careful.

Warnings

  • Don't scare them, they will shoot if you appear dangerous to them.
  • In a lot of cases, the person has nothing to lose. You have no way of knowing if this applies...don't take chances.
  • In some cases, if they do shoot at you, you may have a chance of the gun misfiring, by this means, the round is hit, but, it doesn't ignite the gunpowder making the round not go through, if this happens they would have to re-cock the gun, if your able to attack them but be careful and quick.
  • Don't attempt to hurt them unless if you know what you're doing, if you can turn around and knock the gun out of their hands, go for it but be careful.

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Sources

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