Please review the attached clip (hyperlinked above) of two LASO deputies who were shot Saturday while they sat in their patrol vehicle.

The problem with gunfighting is that you don't live long enough to make mistakes. That being said let's look at some techniques DEA Watch readers may use for fighting inside a box, your patrol vehicle.

If you are dealing with a violent attack that precludes you from driving out of the kill zone or bailing out of the vehicle, you must quickly get your blaster out of the holster and engage your attacker with gunfire. Your blaster's grip will be sunk into the back of your bucket seat impeding your draw. Lean forward to your left away from your gun side. Grasp the steering wheel with your left hand to obtain leverage allowing you to lift up your cover garment with your gun hand to obtain a firm grip. If your tactical situation dictates ready access while in the appendix carry, tuck your cover garment behind your blaster. Take your seat belt and also come behind your pistol. This technique pushes your blaster away from your body allowing a faster draw. Somewhat similar option for strong side carry. Tuck your outer garment behind your holster. Pull your seat belt out away from your body then buckle the seat belt positioning both the chest and lap portions of the belt behind your blaster.

To engage a threat to your front shoot through the windshield creating a port, then release your seat belt. It is important to recognize that your blaster is what stops the threat, not your seat belt. If you are the passenger and the attack comes from the passenger side, roll your back so that it is oriented toward the driver and present your blaster to the threat. If the threat comes from the rear employ temple index, turn and engage the threat. If threat comes from the driver's side extend your support hand, pushing the driver's head back with your support hand and engage the threat. If you are a southpaw driver orient your back toward the passenger side, push back into the seat thrusting your blaster at the threat. If the driver's window is down do not extend your blaster outside the car for the attacker could disarm you.

Releasing your seat belt can be tricky. Swim your support hand between chest portion of the belt and your body. Punch the release with your middle finger. If you are a southpaw shooter on the driver's side these techniques apply. If you are a right hand shooter on the passenger side these options apply:

Always drive with your steering wheel up. When working solo undercover, push the passenger seat forward. It is more difficult for the guy your are negotiating with to attack you.

Be cautious for there is an immense difference between the square range and reality. On the square range targets don't move; gunfights are dynamic. Your threat will not remain static but could attempt to flank your position.

DEA Watch readers must be careful not to overreact. On 15 July 2017, Justine Damond was fatally shot by a Minneapolis LEO after she had called 911 to report a possible assault of a woman in an alley behind her house. The LEO officer was startled by a loud sound. He fired through the open window, killing Damond. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Whenever you fire your blaster two things are occurring. The first is marksmanship, aligning the sights, pressing the trigger. The second is environs, what is going on around you, meaning everything but the act of shooting your blaster. Think of your brain as a computer. If it is devoting 80% of its power to the act of shooting it can only devote 20% to the environs. However, if the DEA Watch reader has trained to become a proficient marksman, he can devote 10% of his brain's power to the act of shooting and 90% to managing the legal and tactical situation he is facing. Thus he vaccinates himself from making a fatefully wrong decision like the Minneapolis LEO.

Unfortunately it is my experience as a police trainer a great many LEOs choose not to practice to become proficient marksman preferring to muddle through with the illusion, "same shit, different day." I urge DEA Watch readers to practice.

Semper Fi,
Frank White