# Does any self defense method teach unarmed defense against a gunman?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-self-defense-method-teach-unarmed-defense-against-a-gunman/633216>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 31, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-self-defense-method-teach-unarmed-defense-against-a-gunman/633216 "2012-08-31T02:17:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-self-defense-method-teach-unarmed-defense-against-a-gunman/633216/41 "2012-09-02T12:02:48Z")

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> [@Clothahump](#):
>
> And I know you wouldn’t. It’s a physical impossibility - inside of six feet, your reaction time is too slow.

If I’m holding the gun as described in post 30?

Cite?

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**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-self-defense-method-teach-unarmed-defense-against-a-gunman/633216/42 "2012-09-02T21:27:26Z")

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> [@August\_West](#):
>
> I have watched dozens, if not hundreds, of people shoot handguns - ranging from experienced military and LEOs to people who have never seen a handgun before.
> 
> My advice to anyone confronted with a handgun-wielding assailant is to turn and run. 99% of people can barely hit the ground in front of them. Look at the recent Empire State shooting, all 9 of the wounded were shot by (presumably) trained LEOs.

I thought they were all hit by either ricochet or flying debris of other objects that were damaged. I heard of none that had a primary bullet wound from a first bullet strike from a weapon.

I could be wrong of course.

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