JudoJake

If you are like me, then when you go out to the mall or where ever, you are always paying attention to what is going on around you and your wife rarely is. She is focused on shopping or whatever.

I don't just carry a gun for my protection, it is for hers as well(I am not going to discuss additional people and children at this time due to the fact that I don't want to over complicate the discussion). My thinking is that if I am going to protect her, I might as well do it right. VIP style.

Basically what I am talking about is one man foot escort techniques. How to move from point A to point B and be in a position to respond to threats against her person. This is part art and part science. But here is some basic information on the subject and possibly drills to practice on the range.

one man vip protection - Google Video

Close Protection / Bodyguard Firearms Training

Basically I always stay behind her. That way nobody can sneak up behind her and attack her. If they do attack her from behind they would get a nasty surprise from me a short second later.

If a threat comes form the front I quickly step in front of her, usually from her left, which allows me to push her away or sweep my arm in front of her, while I draw my gun with my right hand.

After addressing the threat, either verbally, with martial arts, or with my handgun, depending on the situation, I quickly evacuate her from the scene.

If somebody is approaching or a threat presents itself to her right or left, say a guy eye balling her that is about to pass her walking in the opposite direction on her left side, then I will close in and casually move up to her left side. If I would have been in front of her, he might have passed me before he even gave her a look and then moved in to grab her or brush up against her or whatever.

Often I will move ahead when I see it is clear, to open a door or I simply reach around her to open it. Or I might move ahead if we are about to round a corner, to see what is on the other side before she dose, but then I quickly fall back in behind.

I guess it appears that I follow her around everywhere, but that is how I was trained to protect Very Important People(VIP'S).

I have had several instances when this diligence has paid off for me. It has not be so dramatic that I have had to use my gun, but it has been eventful enough that I certainly am sold on the idea. Everything from guys trying to bump into her and feel her up in extremely crowded places, to me keeping her from running into other people when she is not paying attention.

Let me know what you guys do and think about this subject.

Eddie A.

I work corporate security/personal protection and I often find myself falling back on my training when out and about with my wife. Like you, I am often only protecting her from bumping into others do to her lack of SA, but if a SHTF situation ever took place I would be in a position to effectively defend her from danger.

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KenpoTex

good topic, I use several of the techniques already mentioned.

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If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

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Matt K.

Maverick7340

My wife is very independent. That's why she has a CCL of her own and carries a gun herself. When we are at the mall shopping or anywhere else we both point out things and people to be alert about.

Since I can't always be with her I like to use this theory.

I can be your personal security and save you for a day. Or I can teach you how to protect yourself and save you for a lifetime.

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Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.

John Wayne

Mtbiker

That second video was some very dangerous techniques. My instructor would have my ass if I did that. You COVER your principal, why would you push them away. There could be another unseen threat. You just left them out in the open. Also, they second guy in the detail could have very easily shot guy #1 since he was shooting from behind him. I hope they weren't paying for this "instruction".


That being said, I do behave like a bodyguard for my wife and son. Keep your eyes open and you gun hand free.

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-Biker

jwhite75

My girlfriend of six months plus has already learned which seat is mine in the restaurant according to tactical necessity, and she knows that when I grab her hand or arm and move her when we are walking or just standing somewhere it is for her safety either due to a possible threat I have spotted or just to keep her out of traffic Etc. She is ten years younger than I and still has a shiny pair of rose colored glasses. They are starting to lose their rosy tint very slowly but until then I consider myself her chauffeur along the Devils Highway. The great thing isshe is a country girl who loves to shoot and shows strong interest in obtaining her CHL upon turning 21. I am a gentleman to the core and feel it is my repsonsibility to take care of her when I am with her, and I and very honored to have the duty.

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David in FL

I'll assume that this is a typo. I expect that you meant that you would step in front of her from her right so that you sweep with your left arm and keep your strong hand free to access your weapon.

MattLarson

That, or he's left-handed.....

Matt

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Paco

Great info, thanks for sharing. It will certainly help me keep an eye on those most important to me.

One question, how would you modify this to fit walking around with my Wife and 4 kids? I mean, we have each hand full when moving around in a large crowd, and I normally lead since I can spot openings and can maneuver pretty easily. I know based on what you just shared I am basically leaving the family in a lurch. In less crowded areas we usually walk with Mom in front and the 4 kids in a line (by height, which gets us some funny looks sometimes) and then me bringing up the rear, more so to keep an eye on their hands and make sure they aren't pulling stuff off of the shelves.

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If you are not willing to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them!

-Paco

friesepferd

ill protect myself thanks
but honestly that is a very good point of discussion and well worth whle. its easy to forget about whoever is with us that we care about that may not be armed.

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