What to Do If Someone Points a Gun at You: Real-World Survival Tips

Before we begin: this post isn’t a substitute for real training. These are practical tips shared by someone close to our team with experience in high-stress situations — not a certified instructor. If you have better advice based on training, please share it. The goal is to help our community stay alive and aware.

1. If You Can Run — Run

If someone points a gun at you and you're more than 30 feet away, your best option is to run in a zigzag pattern. At that distance, even experienced shooters have trouble hitting a fast-moving target.

Create distance. Create confusion. Don’t make it easy.

2. Stay Calm and Take Control of Your Mind

If running isn’t an option, the first rule still applies: stay calm. Panic clouds judgment and can trigger aggression. The person pointing the gun already has physical control — but you gain a psychological edge by remaining composed.

3. Make Eye Contact

Look them in the eyes. It forces recognition — it’s much harder to hurt someone once you’ve made human contact. You’re not begging. You’re grounding them in reality. Most assailants want fear and control, not murder.

?️ 4. Observe Everything You Can

If you’re close enough, make mental notes:

• Height, weight, race

• Distinguishing marks: tattoos, piercings, scars

• Voice, accent, speech patterns

• Weapon type or clothing details

These can be critical for law enforcement later — and could even help prevent the assailant from hurting someone else.

? 5. Give Them What They Want — But Smartly

If they’re robbing you, don’t resist. Toss your wallet or valuables away from your body. This buys you a chance to escape if their attention shifts to retrieving the item.

It’s just money. Your life isn’t worth what’s in your pockets.

?️ 6. Talk Them Down (If You Have To)

If there’s no escape and the situation is prolonged, try to talk your way out of it. Use calm, measured tones. Offer human context — “My kid’s sick,” or “We don’t have to do this.”

Then ask a question. Get them to talk. Creating a social connection can break the cycle of violence and force them to pause.

?️ Train for the Worst. Hope for the Best.

The best way to survive a life-threatening encounter is to get trained before it happens. At our shop, we regularly help responsible citizens choose home defense tools, situational training resources, and personal protection gear.

? Visit us in Huntington Beach