Long Gun from the Front—Dead Side (Disarming under Gunman’s Arm)

Starting Position: Passive stance.

As the attacker presents the rifle, send your right hand to the weapon in a straight line, keeping your hand open and your fingers pointing towards the ground at a 45° angle. Keeping your right arm stiff, put the palm of your hand at the barrel of the weapon and push in a straight line to your left. This has the added benefit of putting your motion and weight toward the gunman even though your feet have not yet moved. Your right hand should move first, but after it begins, bring your left hand to the crook of your right elbow to keep it out of the line of fire.

Burst forward and to the right with your feet to the “dead side” of the rifleman and grab the weapon sharply with your left hand. Keep your arm straight to control the barrel and stay out of the line of fire. You should already be putting weight down and away on the weapon.

Tips: The redirecting movement should take the rifle off your body parallel to the floor. Any diagonal movement up or down means that the rifle stays on your body for a longer period of time. This initial redirection must be a “punch” with your hand because the rifleman will have both hands on the weapon, which gives him greater control.

It is unlikely that the control and disarm portions of this defense will be successful against a submachine gun. Sub guns simply offer very little surface to control on the dead side. This is exactly why Machine Gun Takedown (page 290) was created.

With a firm grip on the barrel, deliver a kick to the rifleman’s groin area with your left leg. As you recoil your kick, jerk on the weapon to begin to loosen it as you deliver an overhand right punch to the head.

After your punch, recoil your right hand to reach under the rifleman’s left arm and grasp the rifle, then pull the weapon upward slightly.

Take the left hand that is gripping the barrel and drive the barrel towards the rifleman’s face (similar to an overhand left punch).

Rotate the rifle sharply past the rifleman’s right shoulder to “break” his grasp. If the rifleman continues to hold onto the weapon, continue to strike him with the rifle, including kicks, knees, and headbutts, to soften his grip. As soon as you are sure the weapon is in your position, retreat to a safe distance. Be prepared to use the rifle as a cold weapon.

Disarming over Gunman’s Left Arm Variation: This variation of the “dead side” disarm is necessary if the gunman has clamped his left elbow down, preventing you from coming under his arm. The redirection, control, and counterattack for disarming from “under or over” the rifleman’s arm are the same.

After you punch the rifleman with your right fist, recoil your right hand and reach over the rifleman’s left arm and grasp the rifle towards the rear of the weapon.

Push down and away with your right hand in order to clear the butt of the rifle from under the rifleman’s right armpit. You should twist both wrists as though revving a motorcycle engine— this twists the weapon out and away from the gunman’s grip.

Pull the stock of the weapon up, striking the rifleman’s face, and continue through with this movement, bringing the rifle to your body.

Take the left hand that is gripping the barrel and drive the barrel toward the rifleman’s face (similar to an overhand left punch), rotating the rifle sharply past the rifleman’s left shoulder to “break” his grasp. If the rifleman continues to hold onto the weapon, continue to strike him with the rifle and combatives to soften his grip.