How to Disarm a Person

Numerous martial arts philosophies employ specific tactics to disarm someone who may present a threat. Most center around hand-held weapons such as clubs or knives. Guns are a much thornier issue because they can harm you from a distance and the attacker doesn't need to move to use one. If you're being attacked by a melee weapon, however, or you are close enough to take away a gun, you can exercise a few basic steps to both avoid being hurt and take the weapon away from the attacker.

Instructions

1. Raise your hands in a defensive posture and plant your strong foot behind you to help you stay balanced. (It's whichever foot corresponds to your strong hand.)

2. Gauge which part of your body the attacker might strike. If he has a knife, he will likely aim for the belly or chest. If he has a bat or a blunt weapon, it may come toward your head, torso or legs.

3. If the attack is aimed at your head, move it out of the way as the weapon comes forward. Grab the attackers wrist or forearm with one hand and his elbow with the other and continue to pull him forward. This turns his momentum against him. Force him to the ground while holding his wrist and elbow, pressing his wrist to the ground and his elbow against his head.

4. If the attack comes at your body, twist your body out of the way, then strike hard at his weapon, bicep or shoulder. Use the outside of your forearm unless you have absolute confidence of being able to strike with your fist: you're less likely to miss with the forearm. Even if you don't disarm him, you will reduce his ability to attack.

5. Take control of the weapon by grabbing it (somewhere safe if it is a bladed weapon) and twisting it out of the attacker's hand. Push the weapon away from your body and and bend it outward so that the attacker's wrist is twisted back. Use both hands and the weight of your body if you can. If you're strong enough, you will force him to relinquish the weapon; bending his wrist back reduces the strength of his grip, leaving him unable to hold it properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Always call the police after any kind of an altercation. They need to be alerted to the attack, and if you call them yourself, it goes a long way toward establishing your credentials as the victim in the scenario.

• Confrontation of any sort is not recommended if someone has a weapon. You want to survive the incident, not be a hero. If you can safely retreat without risking others, then you should do so, and if giving the attacker something he wants (like your wallet) will prevent bloodshed, then do so as well. Consider disarming the person only if you have exhausted all other options and are confident in your ability to succeed.