[T]here is a considerable difference between a back-up weapon (which could even be a boot knife) and a hideout weapon...
[Let us define] a back-up pistol [as one] of the same basic caliber or size as your primary weapon a "second gun," particularly when it is carried in a holster meant for a quicker draw than a .25 or .32 auto in your hip pocket or a zippered pouch would be. Weapons which are small enough to be very well concealed (including when your coat or jacket is off) are more properly called "hideout" weapons -- and a well hidden knife still qualifies as a hideout weapon...
[Before practice the] choice of drawing the second [or backup] gun versus reloading the primary weapon [was] discussed... [During practice] I noticed... a hesitancy to drop or throw the primary weapon on the ground!
Remember the concept of "you fight like you train?" If you baby your equipment in practice, you'll probably do it in a real fight as well. If your equipment is very fragile, then you need either tougher equipment or pre-arranged protection and preservation procedures for that equipment in the field.
However, after a few people dropped their pistols from around waist level most, but not all, of the rest of the shooters followed suit. Several shooters knelt down to reduce the impact to their weapons, and then stayed down as they drew their other pistols. Very good! A couple of people bent down to place their weapons on the ground, then straightened back up to shoot; this critically wasted time. Not so very good! |Too Well Armed?|
The new standards were established in response to concerns from the law enforcement community about the effectiveness of body armor currently being used by officers. NIJ developed the enhanced testing program in partnership with the National Institute of Standards Technology, Office of Law Enforcement Standards....
Matt Davis, President and CEO of Armor Express says. “The reason they came out with an updated standard is to ensure that the law enforcement community is adequately protected from the threats they face. As the threats constantly change, so does the need to have newer standards for body armor.” |New body armor standards highlight importance of 'wearing your shield' (Hannah Simons) - Police One|
