How 1.5 Seconds Could Save Your Life or Not? As a gunsmith and gunshop owner, I often have the opportunity to talk to new gun owners or those wanting to buy their first gun. Most of the questions I am asked deal with handgun size and caliber, but from those safety minded folks, I am usually asked about handguns that have external safeties. Once that discussion is complete, I am usually asked about carrying a live round in the chamber, which for many people, is considered an unsafe practice--but is it? Obviously, only you can answer that question for yourself. A brief discussion might enlighten a person, one way or the other, that until now has never seriously thought through the question. Let’s break it down so there is no misunderstanding. When this kind of question is asked, the person asking such is concerned about the gun “going off” and striking someone unintentionally. Be reminded that “guns” do not just “go off” or fire on their own. In fact, most guns of the last half century will not fire, even if dropped. They are manufactured with every possible safety feature. For a gun to fire, the trigger must be pulled and the hammer (or firing pin) released. Surpassing this in importance is the fact that a conscientious gun owner always practices the main gun safety rules, two of which state the following--keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire the gun and never point the gun at anything you are not willing to shoot. When these rules are followed, guns will not “go off” and no one will be hurt. Once you understand the safety issues of a live round in the chamber of your carry gun, you need to think about what happens when a person is in a stressful life or death situation and needs the use their gun. Did you know that it takes 2 to 3 seconds for the average person to draw or present their gun and make ready for firing? That may not seem like much time, but it can be way too long during a crisis. In fact, a law enforcement officer named Dennis Tueller realized this and proved something that is now called the Tueller Rule. Tueller proved that once a person was within 21 feet of your location, he or she could attack and be upon you within 1.5 seconds. That means you may not have time to access your gun for self-defense, unless you have been regularly practicing your gun draw and make ready skills. Tying this fact to the idea of having a round in the chamber takes on additional significance. If you carry and do not carry a round in the chamber, this means you have to rack the pistol to load it or in the case of a revolver, pull the trigger once to make ready to fire the first shot. How long will that take--at least 1.5 seconds. When you add that to the time it takes to draw and make ready your gun, you are up to 3-5 seconds before the first shot can be fired--at that point your time may be up, that is, according to Tueller, the attacker will already be on you. So give serious consideration about carrying a live round in the chamber. I am not suggesting you do so or not, but I am encouraging you to think about the situation. Think about the time you have to react to a situation. Think about your surrounding environment and being prepared to react quickly. Practice drawing or presenting your gun and making ready for firing. If that crisis situation ever does arise, hopefully it will not be the first time for you to draw your gun from your IWB or purse and make ready for firing.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:56:27 +0000