There was a government study some years ago that has been used as a training point with law enforcement and some military personnel. The study looked at situations where a skilled knife fighter started X number of feet away from a person with a gun. The situation was repeated with the gun pointed at the knife wielder, with the gun drawn but in a lowered, relaxed position, and with the gun still in the holster. The study came up with some larger than expected ranges at which a person with an edged weapon could kill or cripple the gunman in each scenario.
I was told that these findings formed the basis for a somewhat blanket ruling for the people trained. If you see a person with a knife and they start to do anything threatening within about 30 feet, shoot them, or get cut up.
Of course there are alot of variables about skill, weapon length, the comparative reaction speeds and fitness levels, distractions, lighting that can be debated after the fact in shootings like these.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-15 06:40 pm (UTC)I was told that these findings formed the basis for a somewhat blanket ruling for the people trained. If you see a person with a knife and they start to do anything threatening within about 30 feet, shoot them, or get cut up.
Of course there are alot of variables about skill, weapon length, the comparative reaction speeds and fitness levels, distractions, lighting that can be debated after the fact in shootings like these.