As a carrier of 20 years, we get so used to having a gun….. it is almost second nature. Sometimes we tend to forget just how much power and responsibility we have. I love the reality checks I experience when I watch these videos. It’s like a slap to the back of the head, telling you, hey! Heads up dude! Think about what you are doing or about to do. Thank you for the constant education.
How Right you are! Too many fast changing laws and as LEO's we find ourselves viewed as the criminal instead of the defender by those we've dedicated our lives to protect and serve!!!
I have been riding motorcycles for well over 45 years. About 20 years ago, I moved to Texas and needed to get the "M" on my license. I didn't HAVE to take a motorcycle safety course, but doing so would expedite the process and would save me money on my insurance... At the time, I had been riding for well over 25 years; there was "nothing" any of these trainers were about to tell me that I didn't already know (especially from a BASIC riders course). I spent half the class thinking, _"My god, you mean I've been doing that wrong for 25 years?"_ CONTINUING Education is the cornerstone of anything that can potentially risk our lives or the lives of others. Processes change due to new technology or new data, LAWS change... or, like me, those who are already doing it, began doing so during a time where there was limited education and we basically have trained ourselves and we only THINK we know. Anyone who carries - or even owns - a deadly weapon, should always be seeking the opportunity for continuing education that will keep them, their family, and the public as safe as possible.
@towtruckAJ Power out during a zombie apocalypse with marauding bandits looking to break into your shit. Let's be honest here. Chances of your house getting broken into during a short term power outtage in a normal functioning society is pretty close to zero. Chances of someone coordinating an attack on your house where they cut the power lines in order to break in are also pretty damn slim because you're probably not that important. A crackhead looking for a quick buck to steal will not go through all that hassle. But if they did cut the power to break in, I'd say you have every right to just point your guns at them.
@@Gun_Talk sure but what isn’t uncommon is for light switches to be in inconvenient spots, certain rooms to have to little to no light depending on how finished your house is, on top of that a lot of crucial electric components and electrical shut offs are outside, some are easy to tamper with others fortunately aren’t as easy, point being a lot of situations call for low light encounters and you should at least prepare for that.
I am nearly 50 years old and a gun nut. Grew up competition shooting, hunting and have probably never gone more than a few weeks without interacting with a firearm and yet....you just taught me a few things. Thank you so much, Massad. You are a true legend and pillar in the firearms community.
Excellent advice, as always! I would like to add: if your WML has a strobe feature, DON’T use it. Yes, it can ‘disorient’ the subject. It can also disorient you, in the sense that any movement they make will appear herky-jerky, making it difficult to accurately identify what if anything is in their hands or whether their actions are threatening or surrendering. A strobe should only be used if there is a secondary solid beam of light on he subject, in which case you can clearly see them but they see strobe when looking at you.
I shined a 900 lumen strobe right into my eyes in front of a mirror, and rather than disorienting me the only pause it gave was to think "Huh. Look at that." For that matter, inside my lil' abode I've found that anything over 300 lumens has so much bounce-back that it impairs my sight probably just as much as anyone I'd be shining it on. If I had to search wide open outdoor areas I spoze I'd want one a them light cannons.
I'd use it if you are in a local advantage. If you know the place and the perp does not. Like home invasions. Disorientation favors the prepared. It will then hurt the unprepared invader much more than you.
@@faryldaryl3975 I use an 1800lm flashlight. The bright flash itself ruins all your dark vision for minutes. And the strobe light dazzles me, even if I shine it down a hallway. Without having it shine directly onto me.
I have really yet to figure out a practical use for the strobe function on these lights. I wish they would stop adding it. It's all about positive identification so I know I am shooting at the right thing.
Nice to see a tactical expert who actually is one and gives practical advice for people in real life, as opposed to weird ways of holding an AR and how to shoot more targets faster, without regard for any of the real world implications that exist for producing a firearm anywhere outside of a shooting range.
Huge props for the thorough explanation. Gun safety and respect needs to be taught and received more and this was a fantastic example of explaining thoroughly what should and should not be done. Thank you.
I'm actually humbled ayoob brought this up and I'm so glad when I worked as a armed security guard and in executive protection I never used a weapons mounted light and I always used a separate flashlight/torch.
I've watched your videos for decades. The first ones are on VHS, which I still have. What keeps me interested, is the obvious experience and common sense. Please continue to guide us and stay safe. Thanks
Thank you guys so much for bringing this one up. This has bothered me for a very long time. I have seen so many videos of, and have personally witnessed, security guards, cops (*especially* cops) etc. flag people with loaded guns because they were using their WML flashlights to simply search for something or for illumination, instead of using a separate light. I know it’s more convenient, but there’s a fine line between convenient and lazy/dangerous. I understand the argument for needing to ID or blind the target in an actual situation, but that is one of the few times where flagging is understood, and possibly justified. Personally, I think it’s laziness more than anything. This is why I don’t have WML‘s personally. I train with tac lights the old fashioned way. I understand there are situations where they are beneficial, as it keeps the gun in the flashlight together and offers one-handed use. I get that. But overall, I say if you’re going to use one, carry a separate one.
First off, if you're in a situation where you lawfully deemed it necessary to draw your firearm, then we have established based on various factors that whatever you are searching for is a threat and is lawful to have them at gun point. If you only draw your firearm when lawfully allowed then you will always have good reason to assume the subject located is a threat and only after determining he is not a threat, do you stop flagging the person. Let's use common sense, obviously if you hear a noise in your front lawn you should not flag anyone, but that's because that situation does not require a firearm to be drawn!! If you have a lawful reason to believe there is a home intruder then treat as a threat until proven not a threat.
I call bs on that you will serve hard time for pointing a gun at someone in your house. 1st there had to be more than just the other person saying you pointing a gun at them, there has to be a witness to the fact, without that it is just say so and no one is going to incriminate themselves unless they're that thick in the head, if that is the case they have no buisness owning a firearm. May bring up the question why I know this.
More good, practical wisdom from Mas. It's so easy to make an unintended "mistake" in these situations, particularly with the twisted legal systems in so many jurisdictions, that now favor a perp over their intended victims. Train, practice, think, prepare.
It’s the same as you being able to open carry outside (in some states) but you can still be charged for pulling out your gun. I thinks it’s dumb, but the key is if the courts determine you were not in danger in the moment you pull out your gun, then you have just made someone fear for their life (assault) even if it is at your home.
“Alexa, Houselights!” In my personal experience, the lights and the knowledge of my presence made the intruders leave quickly. Over the course of about 50 years, it happened twice in the home, twice in the backyard.
Thank you Mr. Ayoob once again you educated me on something I didn’t know anything about. I have a Glock 23 with a weapon light my dad was a huge fan of yours he’s no longer with us but years and years ago he always said Massad gives valuable info on guns and gun laws again thank you for the education sir
It can be used as a point of aim. There is a 90% probability the shooter is right handed. One handed and with the light raised and off to the right is better. That is when a left handed shooter has a momentary advantage. Do not limit your range of vision. Rightys only do the opposite. But if you are not the one wearing the uniform, you are screwed.
Thank you for another great video. You make some great legal and safety points. In addition to your points, I don't want to depend on a light (weapon mounted or not) unless absolutely necessary. I don't want the light making me a target.
Your info on these videos and in Gravest Extreme is invaluable. One of the most memorable for me - and I see some people observing this in home defense situations where an intruder was shot - is that they fired the weapon to STOP the intruder. NOT to kill them. Just saying you meant to kill them puts you in hot water. Word choice means everything and I thank you for that gem.
ALWAYS learn something priceless and new to me every time i watch Mas. Please keep it coming. They'res no telling how many lives your lectures have saved.
This is if im looking for my keys? Bro, if I'm searching with my gun, then I need my gun, don't you think? No one's searching Walmart with a gun if the lights go out.
.... One key statement by Massad that many people overlooked, with regards to being charged with felony aggravated assault for pointing your weapon at someone who [turns out to be] a known person of no threat in a home/self defense scenario was .... "WITHOUT LEGAL JUSTIFICATION". Any well-versed attorney (which I am not by any means implying that Massad is not), knows that the establishment of a reasonable fear of the immediate application of force can be applied to not only the suspected intruder who had the weapon pointed at them, but also the homeowner; provided that the weapon was only pointed at the suspected intruder, until identification was established. This is due to the fact that prior to the identification of the unknown individual, the homeowner is obviously unaware of who is in their home and is therefore presented with a clear and present threat of danger, serious bodily injury and/or death and as such, reasonably believes that the immediate use of force would be necessary to defend against said threat - hence, the grounds for "legal justification" are present in such a scenario, irrespective of whether or not a mounted weapon light was used. ~
Mas, I'm sure you remember Otto Orive, who took several of your courses back in the day. Otto was one of the firearms instructors for the Kent, Washington police department. The Kent PD range, on which I have shot, is a wonderful facility, with a control booth that, among other things, allows shutting off/turning on lights in each individual area of its huge main bay, to simulate various lighting conditions, all the way down to turning off all the lights, not only on the range but in the booth, as well, to create total darkness. So, they set up a situation where officers had to clear a "house" that was created by hanging tarps from the ceiling to form walls and rooms. Officers had Sim guns, so did "criminals" who were being played by other officers, also armed with Sim guns. The goal was for officers to search the darkened house, and find the bad guys, ideally without being shot themselves. It is a common piece of advice when searching with a light-mounted gun, "Use the light to search, then turn off the light when you move so they can't track your movement." Otto commented, "We saw the same thing, over and over again. An officer would be searching, using the light, looking for the bad guys. When they had the light on to search, people would hide. The INSTANT they turned off the light, EVERY TIME, people would pop out and shoot at where the light was. As far as I'm concerned, the primary function of a weapon-mounted light, inside an unfamiliar structure, would be for me to find a light switch so I can turn on the fucking overhead lights. Why on earth you'd want to be searching in darkness, much less moving in darkness, when you could be doing it with good visibility in full light is beyond me."
So you’re saying in the middle of the night when you hear noise in your house your gun should be hostered till you know? So how do you clear your house safely then!
You don't clear your house unless u have extensive training, its not worth it. You gather all important persons with your firearm and then set a boundary if u havent already come across the threat. Call the police.
My procedure is this Step 1: Scream out "Let's do this" Step 2: If I don't hear "Leeroy Jenkins!" yelled back...proceed to step 3A Step 3A: You jump in with murderous intent...Weapons hot... If the voice does yell back "Leeroy Jenkins!", you proceed to Step 3B Step 3B: You jump in with murderous intent...with your favorite flogging device... Mine is a hockey stick... If on the rare chance they have brought chicken, you have stern words with them while you eat.
I learned so much from this video. Mas explains everything he speaks about so crystal clear that it’s a pleasure to listen to him and learn from him. Keep the videos coming!
Mas is the G.O.A.T. of concealed carry, legal CYA. His decades of police work and testifying as an expert at trials all over the country make him an indispensable treasure for gun owners/carriers everywhere.
I disagree. Most criminals are not going to assume a mounted weapon light. Now if it turns into a gunfight after the fact, I'm turning the light off. but until then I'm pointing my gun exactly where I'm looking and if they are in my house, god help them.
Sorry, but on my ranch there are only 2 people. So if I'm outside with my weapon mounted light (using a hand held flashlight won't do) I'm sorry it gets pointed at you. My question would be "what are doing here".....better have a good answer.
Thank you for such great information! I have decided to use a 20 ga. shotgun with a pistol grip and weapon light as my go to. I now know how to properly carry my shotgun and keep the search light in my opposite hand at arms length. This info is greatly appreciated!!
5 decades ago, and at a major city's police department's basic training class, recruits were taught to hold the flashlight with the nonshooting hand and arm extended. The instructor said, "why give the perp a signal where your torso is by holding a flashlight close to or attached to your firearm?" Why they don''t continue to teach that today beats me.
.... Firstly, If my weapon light is being pointed in your face .... my torso isn't facing you - my side is (not all of us use the archaic non-tactical, straight forward shooting stance). Secondly, if my 70,000+ candela weapon light is pointed at you .... you're blind and you won't be aiming at anything. ~
I still train that way and refuse to mount a light for that reason. I can manipulate my muzzle and light in different directions. I can have my gun low ready, and my light 180 degrees.
You won't. And if it was your brother. It's not like he's filing charges. Just ultra Fudds saying fuddy shit. Love telling ppl to not use things for their intended use. I swear they will tell me next to not use my pocket knife to cut open boxes because it will dull the blade.
I think he’s more speaking to carry guns, and/or outside the home but he did also mention that someone may have invited someone to your home that you were not aware of. For what it’s worth, I have a WML on my home defense gun, but not on my carry pistols. I just think there is more utility, and much less downside, of a light in home defense application.
I disagree with your at home analogy. In florida we have castle doc. Anyone who is in my house I am not aware of is considered a threat and is treated so. If you dont know who is coming into your home that is your fault to begin with. poor communication. plus if your running around your house with your finger on the trigger you dont need to own a gun in the first place. The gun isnt going to just go off Mr Baldwin.
Thanks for a great video. Having never had to try to conduct a search with a gun and having no lights mounted on my firearms, I confess to being ignorant about this issue and its importance. Once again, thanks to Massad Ayoob, I am ignorant no more.
I used to work as a Bike Patrol Officer for a Casino in Nevada. And, I can tell you, I caught a lot of shit from my fellow security officers when I spent $400 of my own money on a Streamlight tac light w/laser, for my department-issued firearm. When we switched from the S&W Model 13's (in .38 not .357) to the SAXD 9mm, I went out and purchased a SAXD .40cal and tac light, along with two new holsters (one for just the XD & one for the XD w/tac light) so that I could practice drawing, reloading, tap, rack, & clear drills (all the good stuff) at home. About a year later, we get a report of someone walking around one of our parking garages, armed with a knife, threatening to cut people and chasing after cars. We find him, we see the knife, we confront him and draw our firearms, and tell him to drop the knife. He responds with "What knife?" and procedes to tuck it behind his leg and advance on my partner. He got about 60 feet from us, we both raised our firearms, and told him stop. He continued. I got behind cover and called in the status over the radio, and realized I was having a hard time focusing on my front sights...when it dawned on me, "hey, that's what you have that laser sight for, dumbass." He got to about 30 feet from my partner when I turned on the tac light. He stop dead in his tracks, looked at me, then looked at his chest and saw the red dot in the center of it, and dropped the knife. He called me a pussy and then put his hands in the air, and followed every direction I gave him from that point forward. I have no doubt that the $400 I spent a year before (not including the holsters) saved that guys life, that night...and, saved me and my partner a shit ton of legal headaches for years after (not to mention the trauma from having to kill someone).
If I'm searching in the dark with a flashlight for a secretly invited guest, they're getting a gun pointed at them until I'm informed of that invitation.
A weapon mounted light is a tool. Tools can be used for an advantage if used properly. If used improperly then it could be a disadvantage. Point is get training to know how to take advantage of the light in different situations.
Thanks for another great video. This is the best channel for gun related content. I shot IDPA indoors where we could have a dark stages. We used separate flashlights from our firearms. There were many different techniques used. I used a small LED light (SK78) that I could hold in my left hand between my middle and fore fingers and press the button on the back of the flashlight with my thumb to use it. When I needed to engage the target, I would fully depress the light button so it would stay on, point my firearm at the target and while holding the flashlight pointed at the target, I would use my left hand to support the firearm. Hard to explain so I googled searched images and found "Randi Rogers on Shooting With A Light" showing what I use but my light is a bit smaller. If the target was close, I could shoot single handed but I found this much better than one handed shooting because it added support to the firearm. Make it part of your dry fire practice. I do not use any mounted lights on my firearms as switching would just complicate things. If you have a mounted light, consider how and when you will turn it on.
So you search with a hand held light with gun pointed downward & you find the intruder with his gun drawn, presented & sights on you. By the time you drop your light and present he probably will fire already. Why are the good always at a legal disadvantage?
Well an intruder with a gun out will probably see you with your flashlight before you see them. I'd think PROPER handheld tactical light should inflict significantly more night blindness to an intruder than a WML to balance the delay factor.
I’m no tactical expert, but why would you walk around the house with the flashlight on, instead of just using a momentary illumination? Walking around with the flashlight on is a good way to let everyone know where you are and where you’re going
@@MadMagyar13 yea. Black Scout Survival said basically what you said on his channel a while ago. A light on a gun isn’t meant for keeping on perpetually and looking around in almost every case. Most notably because it gives your position away.
I didn't realize this was even a question. Simple logic tells you that anywhere the light is pointed, the barrel is pointed. And since we don't point a barrel at something we're not willing to destroy, we don't search with a WML. I'm frankly amazed this even needs to be explained.
At 24 years old and recently got into owning firearms, I swear every one of your videos make me realize how many things I didn't think of. I now keep a flashlight next to my home defense pistol, which already has a WML. Thanks for the content!!
Years ago I had access to an FBI training book . It specified using a separately held flashlight , for searching , and to hold it up and away from your body , so you don't illuminate or mark yourself . I do remember lots of usefull information in that manual .
Glad to see someone of experience verify some of my thoughts. All of the guntubers like talking about absolutely needing a weapon light for positive target ID. I get what they mean I think, but they mostly are talking about everyday carry and I believe that’s flawed. I’m walking in a dark parking lot and see someone approaching me. I draw my weapon and shine my extremely bright weapon light at them. Oh it’s a mother and child, maybe I’ll stop pointing my gun at them now. That seems far more likely than armed bad guy. In the civilian world using a weapon light to ID seems very situational and mostly stupid. If I’m drawing my weapon in public I’ve already identified a threat or else I’m not clearing garment in a Walmart parking lot. Yes before I fire I want to be absolutely sure of my target and the immediate area surrounding them. A weapon light seems important as that final check before using my CC, but a EDC light seems far more valuable.
While I understand not wanting to point you gun at someone, if your clearing a room with a weapon your gun should be oriented with your eyes. A weapon light just gives you clarity of what your pointing at. The question most of us should be asking is why are we clearing rooms and if absolutely necessary how can we mitigate risk like running into people who are innocent.
What if in the time of PID the threat is pointing a gun back at you? And while transitioning to two hands and engaging the weapon flashlight on, a lot can happen in those split seconds.
For generations, single handed fire was what everyone used - and often successfully. Okay, I am NOT suggesting we return to that, BUT - and especially at the very short ranges associated with in-home lawful defense - a dominant hand grip, with a handgun aimed at the felon’s center-of-mass, will (imho) work.
Yeah, people want to defend their lives which could get them in legal trouble… but then to avoid legal trouble, they sacrifice the seconds it would take to screw around with putting their handheld down and getting their gun out. Your threat isn’t going to pause for you transition to your weapon and unless we’re all hood rats, it’s not a good idea to shoot one handed unless your missing the other. Remember, the button for the light only turns on the light and doesn’t pull the trigger with it.
@@PDPIE1029 Yeah this is the real answer. Also you aren't going to jail for pointing a gun at somebody when you thought they were a home intruder. I'd say a wml and a handheld light are both good to have. WML for home intruder type situation and handheld for everything else
Is it just me or is it a little too easy to get charged with aggravated assault in your own damn house? I get Massad is trying to promote safety and to protect us from making potentially deadly mistakes but it sort of seems half of this video is designed to appease zealous District Attorney's who charge people whose only intent was to defend themselves.
Just another way to empower the criminal and punish the law abiding armed citizen. Sorry my home my rules (when it comes to myself or my love ones safety). It is the responsibility of the visitor (or the party that invited them) to properly notify the home owner/renter before such a incident takes place.
They favor criminals over law abiding citizens. Those cases put fear of legal retaliation in people thinking about self defense in the hope they'll forgo buying a defense tool.
@@aphilipdent Right! Very well put. The criminal does not give one shit about any of this stuff. But the armed citizen is going to have a double mind and end up dead. Pretty simple equation.🤷🏻♂️
Am I the only one concerned about the amount of time it would take to switch lights, draw your weapon and reacquire the target? While I could see this in a ccw situation outside the home, I find it unlikely that Id you drew a weapon on someone in your home late at night that you’d get felony assault. Without having even fired the firearm.
Thank you Jake. I thought I was the only one thinking this way. As an officer myself I have come across this situation several times and the home owner was never charged for any crime. As a matter of fact most of the time they were applauded by police for the courage to refuse to be a victim
Absolutely. No way am I searching my own home with my gun down while using my handheld search light. I live with only my wife, so when a loud thud is heard in my home at night I’m definitely using the gun light with her behind me. We have castle laws and carry insurance for a reason. Anyone who’s tested their speed to first shot with a handheld vs weapon mounted light knows the advantage of the weapon mounted light. I’m not giving a burglar any additional advantages. Statistically home invaders are armed, and I’d rather face a jury than limit my ability to protect myself.
Generally I like his stuff but this video is just a little bizarre. I’m trying to be humble because I know he’s an expert and I’m not; but this really isn’t making sense
@@KB-jf8mj I live vey rural with my75 yo wife and dog...I need a free hand as I have to be able to grab the dog...there is no one else thats going to be in my house as my family lives very far away.....I totally agree outside the home
This is a great video …. Thank you ….. I could never express enough to gun owners the difference of use of light mounted guns … and a spare flashlight …. This helps a lot in my exploration ….. Thanks again for your video .
I don't have a light mounted on my pistol, but there are so many things we may do because we don't know the letter of the law. Always such wise and considered advice, Mas. Thanks
Thanks Massad. I learned a couple of new things, tonight. I’ve entertained the idea of buying a light for my home defense gun. I just have to do my research on finding the appropriate light that’s suitable for my needs.
i disagree with 90% of this video. The only thing I do agree with is having a separate light besides the weapon mounted light. Some background about myself. Come November of 2022 I'll have 28 years with the LAPD. I'm a Department and FBI firearms instructor, POST tactics instructor and I've attended the DHS Active Shooter Response instructor course. I started my career walking footbeats in the housing developments of Watts and wished almost every day I had a weapon mounted light like the SWAT guys. Ayoob takes issue with pointing the weapon at a non-threat while using the attached light to identify and determine if the subject is a threat or not. Using the weapon mounted light is this fashion is the EXACT same thing as using any of the two handed light/gun searching techniques. In his book "Stressfire" Ayoob covers several techniques for integrating the light and weapon into a two handed grip. All of the modern techniques, the Harries, Wilson/Surefire, and Ayoob's, all work by combining the light and weapon into one unit so the weapon AND light are pointed at the subject simultaneously. This allows the using to positively identify if the subject is a threat, and if so have the weapon lined up. Ayoob suggestion to identify a threat with a separate light, then discard that light and bring the gun to bear, is bordering on ridiculous. The time lost, while just fractions of a second, could mean the difference between life and death. I take issue with Ayoob's fear mongering of the risk of prosecution. While I'm certain it can and in some cases has happened, I'd much rather be alive to deal with legal issues then be dead because I needlessly surrendered an advantage.
Excellent post and thank you for posting it. Hopefully others read it and understand it. I'm shocked that i disagree with Ayoob so much on this...I too would consider most of this video horrible advice. I'm a fellow credentialed LE instructor btw, combat veteran, 20+ years of experience, I've studied and trained this stuff for decades, etc. I could not agree more with you, and I was about to post the same points until I read yours. Context is everything, and if something merits you having your gun out in the dark in the first place, well, you'd better have it out and ready.
I by FAR have and will never come close to your expertise and experience. But even I was thinking EXACT same thing about this video. WTF! He really should take it down. It's embarrassing. Thank you for your service and for writing this.
Mark - I appreciate your service on the job -- and 28 years is a storied career. There is a fundamental difference however, that I believe you're missing here between your experience and mine (not being on the job; however, I am an attorney). Simply put - no county prosecutor will ever bring a charge against a PO, on the job, who inadvertently paints a subject with their firearm whilst performing a search. You're in a house, apartment, warehouse and searching for whomever or whatever with a presumptively valid reason. The first thing you're going to do is clear the premises. If you're serving a warrant, you're going to have a weapon at the ready (most likely). If I am in that space, and I am not your target, you're going to hold me until you can determine that I'm not the subject or a threat to you. Even if this should happen in your home, whilst off duty, you're not likely to be charged with a crime. However, I don't enjoy that same privilege. Civilians can, an do, get charged with gun crimes all the time for these types of scenarios - especially in states that are very anti-firearm (cough Illinois). While I do disagree with some of the tactical suggestions here, the advice, in my opinion, is reasonably sound. I don't want to spend $200,000 to defend a criminal charge (which is not an unreasonable amount of money) from a prosecutor who doesn't like guns in homes, because I used a weapon mounted light and some mope decided to try and argue that I was the aggressor. Like everything involving firearms, and so many things in your career, the situation can change on a moment's notice. And yes, I have considered that the potential cost of defense is part of the cost of carrying a firearm (legally) and keeping them in my home for home defense. However, if I can minimize the risk any, that's an improvement in my mind. I've seen too many good people face bad outcomes (or potentially bad outcomes) because some prosecutor either wants to enhance a reputation or, and more likely now, push a social justice narrative that the mope breaking into my home was the victim and I was the aggressor because I heard a noise and went to investigate.
@@gordongekko6001 The issue when people start talking about weapon mounted light vs hand light is the either/or discussion. The correct answer, which I agree with here, is BOTH. I also agree the user must be certain there is some type of threat before drawing the weapon. Too many people jumping at shadows go straight to the weapon light. That is wrong. There IS a time to go with the weapon light and that is when the user would be legal authorized to draw a weapon. So when it comes to searching the question is would the user be legal justified searching with a hand light AND weapon, such as when using the Harries/Chapman/Wilson-Rogers/Ayoob techniques? If the answer is yes then the weapon mounted light is far and away superior to any of those techniques. Example 1. You are getting money late at night at the ATM. Out of the corner of your eye you think you see movement in the shadows. At this time the answer is to illuminate the shadow with the HAND light. If there is a threat then I would continue to illuminate with the hand light while drawing the weapon and use the hand light with a hasty gun/light technique such as the Harries. This would allow me to continuously illuminate the threat, not lose the light while transitioning to the weapon light. Example 2. You live in a rural area where local police response time is 45 minutes minimum if they come at all. You have a house with detached garage/workshop. The dogs are barking and you see a human shape moving towards the back of the garage. Searching with a weapon light would be my first choice, with a hand light standby so if the the shadow turns out to be the neighbor boy with his girlfriend his parents don't approve of you can transition to the hand light AFTER positively identifying the shadow was not a threat. If the shadow IS a threat then covering with the weapon light while calling the police is completely valid.
I have a close friend who was a vet and also an avid Hunter. He's in his 70s. He used his rifle as binoculars during a hunting trip. Turned out being a father ,wife and son on the other end. Ended up getting into a fight over it at camp, then ended up in court. He had to pay a large fine, lawyers fees and lost his concealed carry permit for one year. This was in the state of Oregon!
I've never put a light on a handgun for these very reasons. Also now, any additions to your gun can be used against you by a political/ignorant prosecutor, who will try to say you were looking for trouble. I have no custom back plate, no modified trigger, no gold plated barrel, no nothing but a stock gun. It's scary how bad prosecutions are getting each year, there is no reason to give these jerks any more material to use against you.
Not having a mounted light could also be used against you. You should be able to identify what your about to eliminate in the dark. Even a shit lawyer would have a field day with that precedent.
@@blazerdude89 If you shoot someone in the dark without knowing who you shot, you are an idiot and deserve the fullest punishment. I never said draw your gun blindly and start blasting.
What none of these guys talk about is that your light tells the bad guys where you are and what you are looking at before you see them. The light makes a good aiming point too.
That's crazy... I literally came home 30 minutes ago to find my back door wide open. I made the family go back out to the truck and wait, while I went and searched my whole house with my sidearm and weapon light only to find my chocolate lab decided to come in the house. Very good video to watch today... Thank you guys for all that you do!
This is more legal advice but when it comes to tactics... Searching with a WML isn't the best option simply because if someone is going to shoot at you they will shoot at the light. Sure, it's more difficult to see but you can still easily get hit. It's far better to keep a light off hand UP AND AWAY from you for searching. That way if someone does shoot at the light, it's away from your body and head.
@@jacobpetersen5662 As I said, you're supposed to hold the off hand light up and away from you while searching. That way if someone does shoot at the light, it's at least less likely to hit your chest and head. If you're holding it right next to your head, that's dumb and will get you domed. If you're holding it right next to your weapon, that will get you shot in the chest and head. So, once again, if you are searching... You should use a non-weapon mounted light to search with that is up and away from your body. As, once again, if someone were to shoot at the light, it's less likely they will hit your head and chest. Obviously you can still get shot in the head, chest, arm, etc. It is just less likely and there is basically no reason not to do it. Also tactically speaking, if you're already going to be searching, you should be doing this anyway as it is more tactically sound and there is LITERALLY 0 reason to do so otherwise unless you're in some sort of WROL scenario.
Maybe it's years of Combat, and maybe the training I've continued for the the past decade after military service...... But forgive me for not being willing to sacrifice seconds when milliseconds count. If you have time to drop the flashlight and switch to WML, you just got shot. Bad guys don't wait for you to switch to your weapon while they're aiming through the blind side of the closet doorway. Milliseconds! It's not ideal sure........ But if I flag someone who's not supposed to be somewhere believe me...... They were not supposed to be there. If for some unlikely reason it isn't a threat that requires deadly force, at least that's a decision I have the ability to make. You won't get that decision if you flag your handheld at that methed out intruder pointing a blaster at you. That's where I stand. Right or wrong? Who's really the judge? In this case I am, and I'm making sure my family and I don't fall victim in order to save someone's Fe Fe's from being flagged.
Great video !! I was always taught to hold the light out away from your body because the light can become a target and with you behind it you become a target as well. I ve never quite understood the desire to have a light mounted on a weapon. If I'm blinded by someone using a flashlight, I'm going to shoot at the light.
Great advise from a true expert in laws that involve firearms. I can only wish that my Police Department would have Massad on video as part of in-service training instead of woke social issues.
I respectly disagree with Adam. It is my experience that police firearm training is lacking and that more available time for advance training is required. Point and shoot only training lacks tactical shooting needed by police officers. I don't see how spending time on woke social issues saves lives or improves a police officer's expertise with his firearm.
I shot IDPA indoors where we could have a dark stages. We used separate flashlights from our firearms. There were many different techniques used. I used a small LED light (SK78) that I could hold in my left hand between my middle and fore fingers and press the button on the back of the flashlight with my thumb to use it. When I needed to engage the target, I would fully depress the light button so it would stay on, point my firearm at the target and while holding the flashlight pointed at the target, I would use my left hand to support the firearm. Hard to explain so I googled searched images and found "Randi Rogers on Shooting With A Light" showing what I use but my light is a bit smaller. If the target was close, I could shoot single handed but I found this much better than one handed shooting because it added support to the firearm. Make it part of your dry fire practice. I do not use any mounted lights on my firearms as switching would just complicate things. If you have a mounted light, consider how and when you will turn it on.
I had the same question. A cop I believe always carries with a round chambered ready to fire. If they didn't then there would be that second or two necessary to chamber the round aim and fire, potentially costing that cop their life.
I get it. Let’s be as safe as we can. It’s not at all the same…a weapon light and a scope. I’m not out in the woods with a 30.06 scanning the woods for a guy breaking into my house. I’m in the house scanning for a guy that just kicked in my door or whatever. You can’t really make those one and the same. I love y’all at WC but this is a reach. Weapon mounted lights are to make searching in the dark easier so I have both hands on my weapon. If I’m searching my home with my gun, I’ve already made it clear that someone’s there that shouldn’t be. The first thing I do if that situation is at hand is take inventory of my family. Wife, kids, check, ok now any other human in this house is a bullet stopper. See, I live in Tennessee. In Tennessee, we know everybody has guns so we don’t screw around and come around unannounced. I don’t have much family anyway so that’s never going to happen. If someone is in my home, I’m shooting first and asking questions later. I’ll be damned if they get passed me and get to my family. If we go into home defense mode, my wife and kids have their role and they know what to do. They won’t be anywhere near me. Besides all that, I’m very well trained as are a lot of guys in this comment section. I would like to think a lot of us can search a structure with a weapon light while still being aware of what’s going on.
Bravo! Can y'all list all the states that make showing a firearm "felony aggravated assault" so we not visit there or spend money with vendors in those states?
The laws must be terrible in New Hampshire for someone to “clear leather” in a confrontation and get charged with aggravated assault where he was a police officer. I was really hoping that this was a video that was from April Fool’s day, but was dismayed to find its a recent upload. So much of this is wrong that it pains me to know he has law enforcement experience. Telling someone to use a handheld and then drop it once the threat has been identified completely defeats the purpose of having a WML in the first place. Having been in law enforcement myself in easily the most dangerous area of a major metropolitan area for the last 8 years, I can say with absolute confidence that having both hands on my gun and utilizing my WML has saved my life on multiple occasions, along with saving the lives/well-being of people I encountered. I have cleared on average at least three structures a day in my time on the street, for various reasons, and not often while inside a structure would I have thought to do something so ridiculous as occupying my support hand with a handheld light that I would constantly need to re-holster to open doors, etc. (I’ll allow that for very large structures that it will happen at times). I can’t disagree that everyone should always have a handheld light on them because it would be equally ridiculous to not have one solely based on the fact that you have a WML. It just should not be your primary tool when doing searches for a threat in a confined space. Deadly force encounters are so incredibly quick that utilizing your weapon light to gain a PID can mean the difference between life and death in a split second. Not being able to articulate why you were using a light from your weapon is most likely why he is aware of people who have been charged during defensive displays with a WML mounted on a gun. These would likely be scenarios where they are truly using their gun as a flashlight, instead of as a tool to search an area for a threat. If you’re doing a simple bump-in-the-night for an unknown check, sure, a handheld light with your firearm at low ready may be the call. But at least make the distinction in the discussion instead of an absolute statement on a tactic that could get someone killed. I don’t want to judge his LE career because crazy shit can happen anywhere, but it sounds like he may have worked in a truly lovely part of the country based on the logic he is utilizing.
If I am to the level of having my gun to perform a search in the house I have already done due diligence to make sure it’s not someone ‘supposed to be there’
Which is why you impress upon your teenagers to check in with you when they come in after bedtime. You don't want to hear noises & find out after you've shot their friend who came home with them that they'd been drinking & his parents would kill him for being drunk.
@@doughesson That would never fly here without getting permission ahead of time. Who just brings friends over in the middle of the night without their parents knowing ahead of time?
@@TheGeenat Lots of kids do, figuring that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, especially in the scenario that I'd posited of drinking at a party & the other kid spends the night at your place to sleep it off. You might want to impress upon yours that while you'll be ticked off that they were drinking, you're going to put their friends up for the night & deal with it in the morning. Bright sunshine & loud talking.... You're not condoning the underage drinking, you're keeping them safe by not going to Defcon 4 on your kids' friends.
Accidental shootings and mistaken identity happen all the time. No one ever thinks they would be the moron that did it. This is their mentality and how it happens.
Don’t listen to him on this subject. Do your own research and make your decision. Search out people that have been doing it in real life for some time and listen to them if you haven’t done it yourself. I love Wilson but the arrogance in which he delivers this nonsense is incredible. This is what happens when no one is actually questioned on their BS and given a platform to spill bullshit. He has no real accountability with this platform and has gone way too far, which exceeds his respect in the community. Thanks.
Tu Lam the founder of Ronin Tactics Did a training where if you are room clearing with a pistol. If your off hand hold the flashlight, but holding flash light positioned off to the side so that if someone targets you they shoot at the light (thats displaced) and not directly at you
I'm very confused at what situation you can possibly have at your house where their is someone who is suppose to be there but somehow you didn't know was there and also would press charges at you if you "quote" catch them in the middle of the night... Help me understand what your talking about please.
Your 20yo daughter living at home, brings in her yuppie libtard boyfriend late. You and him do not get along and have had words in the past, hence why he was snuck in late. He goes to the kitchen for one of your beers. You think she's not even home tonight, much less having a guest. You surprise him in the kitchen with your gun. He's got just what his libtard ass needed to really stick it to you in a court case against you and firearms... because he's a POS liberal that doesn't care about you or your daughter beyond her body. Massad Ayoob's advice is pretty solid. He's seen how actual court cases have played out. A wealth of real world information, not tacticool fantasy. There are such ridiculous charges that really do make it to court nowadays. My two cents worth anyways.
This is a great lesson. I took tactical pistol courses for two years and my instructor did not prefer weapon mounted lights and always taught the use of momentary handheld flashlights.
@@peterreily1490 it’s a great question! Jokingly, it’s called a “handgun” and not a “handsgun”. But in all seriousness, your support hand will generally (a) rest under your strong arm’s wrist (b) rest above your strong arm’s elbow pit or (c) be used tactically away from the body to not give away your specific location. We also trained with various ambush tactics, on moving targets, and on the move but that’s why I said “generally”. I am by no means qualified to teach on this. My instructor was a former special ops sniper and the training was pretty hardcore. Often too hardcore for me.
@@peterreily1490 ,there are multiple tactical flashlight holding techniques being taught. One if the more popular is the (Michael) Harries technique. None of the techniques afford a strong off-hand grip; employing a non gun-mounted tactical flashlight involves a bit of a compromise, one that still makes sense.
Massad I have been involved in operations for over 30 years. I disagree with your opinion on the light and optic. As an operational team member, team leader, trainer and person that has used these tools in operations and combat they are valuable. I think your out look on the law and your scenario is extreme (like .01%). I would suggest getting some training time with sims ammo and some highly qualified operators/trainers. I’m pretty disappointed in Wilson Combat in putting this video out.
His legal advice is 100% correct on this subject. He did not say a hand held light is superior from a tactical viewpoint. He warned people of the likely scenarios where they WILL be charged with felonies. Even here in Arizona, we have those laws where pointing a gun, even by accident, is a felony with MANDATORY prison sentencing. Watch the legal videos with numerous cases of gun owners being imprisoned for pointing a firearm at someone they thought was the bad guy. Pointing a firearm towards anyone should always be a last resort action. Pointing a firearm at an unarmed burglar can get you jail time in many states.
@@briangc1972 that’s not what he stated. He stated that in your home searching with a firearm with a light and you point it at someone (a family member) while believing an intruder is in the residence you can be charged. NO. Obviously you should have training and experience for doing these things, but his analogy is incorrect. If you point a firearm at a person for no reason yes you can be charged. Remember to have a crime you must have a couple of things. One party needs to be in fear and the other needs to have intent. There is much more to clearing your house or property that you know better than another person from a tactical standpoint. Such as when and where to use a light etc.
@@briangc1972 No, it's not. I know you don't care about my training or experience, but Ayoobs advice will get you killed in real life. Ask me how I know.
Paul Harrell said something along the lines of, "a weapon mounted light is good in addition to, not in place of a handheld light". Never point a firearm at anything you dont intend to destroy.
Why put yourself in the situation where you have to wander around at night with a flashlight and gun possibly getting ambushed. Your afraid to point your gun at someone until you identify them, but a criminal will never give you any consideration. Secure your home, make it impossible to enter and get a big German Shepard that likes your kids.
Sorry, as a private citizen, I'm not searching my house without turning the lights on. Almost every trainer and expert says to shelter in place in a designated location with what ever room aheads light on. Not to mention if you fear you are being burglarized, you have justification (in most jurisdictions) to have a weapon up and ready. Outside is a bit different. Public vs private property is different. There is no "one size fits all answer".
This is my basic approach now, shelter in place and use the element of surprise. I used to go outside armed when I heard a noise in the back yard etc. That was until one day the PD showed up at my house late knocking on my front door asking to come thru the house into my backyard to encircle a neighbor who was threatening his mom and they were concerned would jump the fence to flee. It occurred to me, what if they hadn't asked my permission and just went in my backyard in the interests of expediency? Could have ended up with dead or injured cops and/or myself...no thanks.
Well, sometimes you're not sure there is a break in. If you're not sure you go look to see what is going on before you call the cops. If you find out a break in is going down then you should retreat.
Exactly bro. This thing about searching our home in the dark is glorified by tv. Good gravy, turn the lights on from around the corner. Anyway, on to another subject. Massad usually has decent info, but he is making a comparsion between some goober hunting out in the open and our home which is protected by the 4th Amendment. Besides, law enforcement do this on a regular basis - point a gun at a suspect... even if they don't immediately see a weapon. I guess they commit felony aggravated assault everytime they order a suspect to the ground?? No. Why should trained citizens be any different? If more people realize how quickly a suspect can produce a weapon and fire shots at you before you can even bring your unholstered weapon up (even more so drawing from a holster), they would get out of these liberal states that prosecute good citizens defending themselves.
@@JamesReedy Oh I know. It is a no brainer that if I get a "funny feeling" in a parking lot, I'm not going to pull my gun to search around. In that case, yes, use a handheld light but probably have hand on the gun while moving away from the believed danger. If I'm in my back yard where I think something is trying to do something bad (burglar or large predator animal), yeah, I'm probably gonna have a gun at low ready. But I am also turning the back porch light on. If I am in my house in the middle of the night and think someone broke in, there isn't a jury in any state worth living in that is going to give you felony aggravated assault/brandishing charges. Family member or not.
@@AC_metro Yeah, pretty much every trainer or expert says that clearing a structure alone is suicide. Gather your family, shelter in a hard position if possible and call 911 while being ready to shoot a bad guy coming through the door. You aren't John Wick.
As a carrier of 20 years, we get so used to having a gun….. it is almost second nature. Sometimes we tend to forget just how much power and responsibility we have. I love the reality checks I experience when I watch these videos. It’s like a slap to the back of the head, telling you, hey! Heads up dude! Think about what you are doing or about to do.
Thank you for the constant education.
How Right you are! Too many fast changing laws and as LEO's we find ourselves viewed as the criminal instead of the defender by those we've dedicated our lives to protect and serve!!!
@@chrisriker6421 If less of you fuckers did sus shit you wouldn't have such a bad rap
I have been riding motorcycles for well over 45 years. About 20 years ago, I moved to Texas and needed to get the "M" on my license. I didn't HAVE to take a motorcycle safety course, but doing so would expedite the process and would save me money on my insurance... At the time, I had been riding for well over 25 years; there was "nothing" any of these trainers were about to tell me that I didn't already know (especially from a BASIC riders course). I spent half the class thinking, _"My god, you mean I've been doing that wrong for 25 years?"_
CONTINUING Education is the cornerstone of anything that can potentially risk our lives or the lives of others. Processes change due to new technology or new data, LAWS change... or, like me, those who are already doing it, began doing so during a time where there was limited education and we basically have trained ourselves and we only THINK we know. Anyone who carries - or even owns - a deadly weapon, should always be seeking the opportunity for continuing education that will keep them, their family, and the public as safe as possible.
Do you think that's why the right to bare arms was placed as the second amendment?
That's why it's really good to rehearse good training, too many times I found myself a little too overconfident after learning I was doing it wrong.
As Clint Smith said, "Use your flashlight to get to a light switch. Never fight in the dark."
Power might be out, Always want to account for worst case scenario.
@towtruckAJ Power out during a zombie apocalypse with marauding bandits looking to break into your shit. Let's be honest here.
Chances of your house getting broken into during a short term power outtage in a normal functioning society is pretty close to zero.
Chances of someone coordinating an attack on your house where they cut the power lines in order to break in are also pretty damn slim because you're probably not that important. A crackhead looking for a quick buck to steal will not go through all that hassle. But if they did cut the power to break in, I'd say you have every right to just point your guns at them.
@@Gun_Talk sure but what isn’t uncommon is for light switches to be in inconvenient spots, certain rooms to have to little to no light depending on how finished your house is, on top of that a lot of crucial electric components and electrical shut offs are outside, some are easy to tamper with others fortunately aren’t as easy, point being a lot of situations call for low light encounters and you should at least prepare for that.
@towtruckAJ Yeah, I get that. Anything could happen, and situations will vary.
Murphys law is a thing, after all.
So you can get shot when you ain't clears the rest of the room you just Wana get to that light
I am nearly 50 years old and a gun nut. Grew up competition shooting, hunting and have probably never gone more than a few weeks without interacting with a firearm and yet....you just taught me a few things. Thank you so much, Massad. You are a true legend and pillar in the firearms community.
Excellent advice, as always!
I would like to add: if your WML has a strobe feature, DON’T use it. Yes, it can ‘disorient’ the subject. It can also disorient you, in the sense that any movement they make will appear herky-jerky, making it difficult to accurately identify what if anything is in their hands or whether their actions are threatening or surrendering.
A strobe should only be used if there is a secondary solid beam of light on he subject, in which case you can clearly see them but they see strobe when looking at you.
I shined a 900 lumen strobe right into my eyes in front of a mirror, and rather than disorienting me the only pause it gave was to think "Huh. Look at that." For that matter, inside my lil' abode I've found that anything over 300 lumens has so much bounce-back that it impairs my sight probably just as much as anyone I'd be shining it on. If I had to search wide open outdoor areas I spoze I'd want one a them light cannons.
I'd use it if you are in a local advantage. If you know the place and the perp does not. Like home invasions.
Disorientation favors the prepared. It will then hurt the unprepared invader much more than you.
@@faryldaryl3975 I use an 1800lm flashlight. The bright flash itself ruins all your dark vision for minutes. And the strobe light dazzles me, even if I shine it down a hallway. Without having it shine directly onto me.
@@faryldaryl3975 Try it in the dark. Way more effective once your eyes have adjusteed
I have really yet to figure out a practical use for the strobe function on these lights. I wish they would stop adding it. It's all about positive identification so I know I am shooting at the right thing.
Nice to see a tactical expert who actually is one and gives practical advice for people in real life, as opposed to weird ways of holding an AR and how to shoot more targets faster, without regard for any of the real world implications that exist for producing a firearm anywhere outside of a shooting range.
If it gets to the point of me actively searching with my gun I’m already positive it’s not just a “guest” that I forgot I invited over.
What if it’s ur drunk cousin lol
@@HotBoii91 That broke into my home in the middle of the night?
@@prezmil4282 or ur drunk son visiting home from college? Everybody’s family situation is different is the point I’m making.
@@HotBoii91 I don’t have a drunk son and yes, that’s why I only spoke for myself.
@@prezmil4282 drunk mom?
Huge props for the thorough explanation. Gun safety and respect needs to be taught and received more and this was a fantastic example of explaining thoroughly what should and should not be done. Thank you.
I look forward to every Mas video I can get. Thanks Mas and thanks Wilson Combat!
I'm actually humbled ayoob brought this up and I'm so glad when I worked as a armed security guard and in executive protection I never used a weapons mounted light and I always used a separate flashlight/torch.
Thats because you were a rent-a-cop 😂
And at least I got away with more things, go ahead and laugh life is too short. Till then go f**k yourself
I've watched your videos for decades. The first ones are on VHS, which I still have. What keeps me interested, is the obvious experience and common sense.
Please continue to guide us and stay safe.
Thanks
Glad you like them!
Thank you guys so much for bringing this one up. This has bothered me for a very long time. I have seen so many videos of, and have personally witnessed, security guards, cops (*especially* cops) etc. flag people with loaded guns because they were using their WML flashlights to simply search for something or for illumination, instead of using a separate light. I know it’s more convenient, but there’s a fine line between convenient and lazy/dangerous. I understand the argument for needing to ID or blind the target in an actual situation, but that is one of the few times where flagging is understood, and possibly justified. Personally, I think it’s laziness more than anything. This is why I don’t have WML‘s personally. I train with tac lights the old fashioned way. I understand there are situations where they are beneficial, as it keeps the gun in the flashlight together and offers one-handed use. I get that. But overall, I say if you’re going to use one, carry a separate one.
First off, if you're in a situation where you lawfully deemed it necessary to draw your firearm, then we have established based on various factors that whatever you are searching for is a threat and is lawful to have them at gun point. If you only draw your firearm when lawfully allowed then you will always have good reason to assume the subject located is a threat and only after determining he is not a threat, do you stop flagging the person. Let's use common sense, obviously if you hear a noise in your front lawn you should not flag anyone, but that's because that situation does not require a firearm to be drawn!! If you have a lawful reason to believe there is a home intruder then treat as a threat until proven not a threat.
I'm always concerned with counter detection. My light gives the bad guy a fix on my location, often before I see him.
They probably already know you're there.
@@RonSpilkerthey know you’re *there* but they don’t know *where* ! 😅
Jim is running around with nods in his house
@@marshonmellowshahaha
I call bs on that you will serve hard time for pointing a gun at someone in your house. 1st there had to be more than just the other person saying you pointing a gun at them, there has to be a witness to the fact, without that it is just say so and no one is going to incriminate themselves unless they're that thick in the head, if that is the case they have no buisness owning a firearm. May bring up the question why I know this.
I love this man's soothing voice.❤❤
I could listen to this gentleman for hours. Commons sense, "Dad Humor" , straight talk, decades of experience.
Excellent point Mass on use of flashlight instead of gun light to search on suspicious target. Thank you.
More good, practical wisdom from Mas. It's so easy to make an unintended "mistake" in these situations, particularly with the twisted legal systems in so many jurisdictions, that now favor a perp over their intended victims. Train, practice, think, prepare.
Pretty obvious why. Don't need any wisdom, just a functioning brain in the cranium.
How the fuck can it be illegal to hold your gun in your own home when laws specifically state you can open carry in your home.
Asking the real questions.
He’s just minimizing mistakes
It’s the same as you being able to open carry outside (in some states) but you can still be charged for pulling out your gun.
I thinks it’s dumb, but the key is if the courts determine you were not in danger in the moment you pull out your gun, then you have just made someone fear for their life (assault) even if it is at your home.
“Alexa, Houselights!”
In my personal experience, the lights and the knowledge of my presence made the intruders leave quickly. Over the course of about 50 years, it happened twice in the home, twice in the backyard.
Thank you Mr. Ayoob. You have provided wisdom that other proffessionals I know never even mention.
Thank you Mr. Ayoob once again you educated me on something I didn’t know anything about. I have a Glock 23 with a weapon light my dad was a huge fan of yours he’s no longer with us but years and years ago he always said Massad gives valuable info on guns and gun laws again thank you for the education sir
G23g4 👑
I just realized that his last name backwards is 'booya,' and that's really cool.
@@normanmccollum6082 one of my favorite random sayings 😆
It can be used as a point of aim. There is a 90% probability the shooter is right handed. One handed and with the light raised and off to the right is better.
That is when a left handed shooter has a momentary advantage. Do not limit your range of vision. Rightys only do the opposite.
But if you are not the one wearing the uniform, you are screwed.
Thank you for another great video. You make some great legal and safety points. In addition to your points, I don't want to depend on a light (weapon mounted or not) unless absolutely necessary. I don't want the light making me a target.
Your info on these videos and in Gravest Extreme is invaluable. One of the most memorable for me - and I see some people observing this in home defense situations where an intruder was shot - is that they fired the weapon to STOP the intruder. NOT to kill them. Just saying you meant to kill them puts you in hot water. Word choice means everything and I thank you for that gem.
Massed, attorney here. Great video and great advice. You may have saved a couple lives with this one.
ALWAYS learn something priceless and new to me every time i watch Mas. Please keep it coming. They'res no telling how many lives your lectures have saved.
More to come!
This is if im looking for my keys? Bro, if I'm searching with my gun, then I need my gun, don't you think? No one's searching Walmart with a gun if the lights go out.
.... One key statement by Massad that many people overlooked, with regards to being charged with felony aggravated assault for pointing your weapon at someone who [turns out to be] a known person of no threat in a home/self defense scenario was .... "WITHOUT LEGAL JUSTIFICATION".
Any well-versed attorney (which I am not by any means implying that Massad is not), knows that the establishment of a reasonable fear of the immediate application of force can be applied to not only the suspected intruder who had the weapon pointed at them, but also the homeowner; provided that the weapon was only pointed at the suspected intruder, until identification was established.
This is due to the fact that prior to the identification of the unknown individual, the homeowner is obviously unaware of who is in their home and is therefore presented with a clear and present threat of danger, serious bodily injury and/or death and as such, reasonably believes that the immediate use of force would be necessary to defend against said threat - hence, the grounds for "legal justification" are present in such a scenario, irrespective of whether or not a mounted weapon light was used.
~
Thank you for saying what I also said in a much better way. I don't like the "scare tactic" used here and ignoring all the points you just made.
Another highly informative video, teaching me things that I had not considered. Thank you!
Mas, I'm sure you remember Otto Orive, who took several of your courses back in the day. Otto was one of the firearms instructors for the Kent, Washington police department. The Kent PD range, on which I have shot, is a wonderful facility, with a control booth that, among other things, allows shutting off/turning on lights in each individual area of its huge main bay, to simulate various lighting conditions, all the way down to turning off all the lights, not only on the range but in the booth, as well, to create total darkness.
So, they set up a situation where officers had to clear a "house" that was created by hanging tarps from the ceiling to form walls and rooms. Officers had Sim guns, so did "criminals" who were being played by other officers, also armed with Sim guns. The goal was for officers to search the darkened house, and find the bad guys, ideally without being shot themselves.
It is a common piece of advice when searching with a light-mounted gun, "Use the light to search, then turn off the light when you move so they can't track your movement."
Otto commented, "We saw the same thing, over and over again. An officer would be searching, using the light, looking for the bad guys. When they had the light on to search, people would hide. The INSTANT they turned off the light, EVERY TIME, people would pop out and shoot at where the light was. As far as I'm concerned, the primary function of a weapon-mounted light, inside an unfamiliar structure, would be for me to find a light switch so I can turn on the fucking overhead lights. Why on earth you'd want to be searching in darkness, much less moving in darkness, when you could be doing it with good visibility in full light is beyond me."
The fact we live in a world where this needs to be discussed.. God save us.
So you’re saying in the middle of the night when you hear noise in your house your gun should be hostered till you know?
So how do you clear your house safely then!
You don't clear your house unless u have extensive training, its not worth it. You gather all important persons with your firearm and then set a boundary if u havent already come across the threat. Call the police.
Keep the gun pointed at the ground and search with a flash light.
My procedure is this
Step 1: Scream out "Let's do this"
Step 2: If I don't hear "Leeroy Jenkins!" yelled back...proceed to step 3A
Step 3A: You jump in with murderous intent...Weapons hot... If the voice does yell back "Leeroy Jenkins!", you proceed to Step 3B
Step 3B: You jump in with murderous intent...with your favorite flogging device... Mine is a hockey stick...
If on the rare chance they have brought chicken, you have stern words with them while you eat.
@@anthonymayor5171 eyes and muzzle should be pointed in the direction of the possible threat not at the ground
@@KB-jf8mj and thats how you accidentally shoot grandma who is sleepwalking
I learned so much from this video. Mas explains everything he speaks about so crystal clear that it’s a pleasure to listen to him and learn from him. Keep the videos coming!
Mas is the G.O.A.T. of concealed carry, legal CYA. His decades of police work and testifying as an expert at trials all over the country make him an indispensable treasure for gun owners/carriers everywhere.
I disagree. Most criminals are not going to assume a mounted weapon light. Now if it turns into a gunfight after the fact, I'm turning the light off. but until then I'm pointing my gun exactly where I'm looking and if they are in my house, god help them.
Sorry, but on my ranch there are only 2 people. So if I'm outside with my weapon mounted light (using a hand held flashlight won't do) I'm sorry it gets pointed at you. My question would be "what are doing here".....better have a good answer.
Thank you for such great information! I have decided to use a 20 ga. shotgun with a pistol grip and weapon light as my go to. I now know how to properly carry my shotgun and keep the search light in my opposite hand at arms length. This info is greatly appreciated!!
5 decades ago, and at a major city's police department's basic training class, recruits were taught to hold the flashlight with the nonshooting hand and arm extended. The instructor said, "why give the perp a signal where your torso is by holding a flashlight close to or attached to your firearm?" Why they don''t continue to teach that today beats me.
.... Firstly, If my weapon light is being pointed in your face .... my torso isn't facing you - my side is (not all of us use the archaic non-tactical, straight forward shooting stance). Secondly, if my 70,000+ candela weapon light is pointed at you .... you're blind and you won't be aiming at anything.
~
I really like that tactic it’s pretty cool how many different ways things are improved upon
I still train that way and refuse to mount a light for that reason. I can manipulate my muzzle and light in different directions. I can have my gun low ready, and my light 180 degrees.
@@TERMINAL-BALLISTICS If your weapon light is on, I know where you are.
They do continue to teach that technique in my state, among others
I doubt anyone would be charged if you point a gun at someone you don’t know in your own house in the middle of the night.
You won't. And if it was your brother. It's not like he's filing charges.
Just ultra Fudds saying fuddy shit.
Love telling ppl to not use things for their intended use.
I swear they will tell me next to not use my pocket knife to cut open boxes because it will dull the blade.
The states with brandishing laws might as sad as it is.
@@xenosayain1506 😂
@@xenosayain1506 Got any examples of it happening?
I think he’s more speaking to carry guns, and/or outside the home but he did also mention that someone may have invited someone to your home that you were not aware of. For what it’s worth, I have a WML on my home defense gun, but not on my carry pistols. I just think there is more utility, and much less downside, of a light in home defense application.
I disagree with your at home analogy. In florida we have castle doc. Anyone who is in my house I am not aware of is considered a threat and is treated so. If you dont know who is coming into your home that is your fault to begin with. poor communication. plus if your running around your house with your finger on the trigger you dont need to own a gun in the first place. The gun isnt going to just go off Mr Baldwin.
Awesome video, never even thought about many of these points
Great reminder on your educational video Sir, regards to the felony aggregated assault on any misuse of a firearm. 🇺🇲
Thanks for a great video. Having never had to try to conduct a search with a gun and having no lights mounted on my firearms, I confess to being ignorant about this issue and its importance. Once again, thanks to Massad Ayoob, I am ignorant no more.
same here buddy i buying hand held flashlight
This man is teaching me things our range instructors at the academy NEVER did!
Ayoob is a BEAST!
Listen to this guy and wake up in heaven.
Thank you Massad. As always your videos are excellent.
Glad you like them!
Read one of Massads books like 20+ years ago. Great mind when it comes to firearms. Thanks so much
I used to work as a Bike Patrol Officer for a Casino in Nevada. And, I can tell you, I caught a lot of shit from my fellow security officers when I spent $400 of my own money on a Streamlight tac light w/laser, for my department-issued firearm. When we switched from the S&W Model 13's (in .38 not .357) to the SAXD 9mm, I went out and purchased a SAXD .40cal and tac light, along with two new holsters (one for just the XD & one for the XD w/tac light) so that I could practice drawing, reloading, tap, rack, & clear drills (all the good stuff) at home.
About a year later, we get a report of someone walking around one of our parking garages, armed with a knife, threatening to cut people and chasing after cars. We find him, we see the knife, we confront him and draw our firearms, and tell him to drop the knife. He responds with "What knife?" and procedes to tuck it behind his leg and advance on my partner. He got about 60 feet from us, we both raised our firearms, and told him stop. He continued. I got behind cover and called in the status over the radio, and realized I was having a hard time focusing on my front sights...when it dawned on me, "hey, that's what you have that laser sight for, dumbass." He got to about 30 feet from my partner when I turned on the tac light. He stop dead in his tracks, looked at me, then looked at his chest and saw the red dot in the center of it, and dropped the knife. He called me a pussy and then put his hands in the air, and followed every direction I gave him from that point forward. I have no doubt that the $400 I spent a year before (not including the holsters) saved that guys life, that night...and, saved me and my partner a shit ton of legal headaches for years after (not to mention the trauma from having to kill someone).
Thank you, I was unaware of the consequences you brought up in this segment. I sent this to my son as well.
If I'm searching in the dark with a flashlight for a secretly invited guest, they're getting a gun pointed at them until I'm informed of that invitation.
A weapon mounted light is a tool. Tools can be used for an advantage if used properly. If used improperly then it could be a disadvantage. Point is get training to know how to take advantage of the light in different situations.
Yep! Having more tools in the toolbox is always better
Very good presentation, and an eye opener. Thank You Sir.
Exactly why I don’t have a WML on my CCW. Thx as always, Mas!
I tried to explain this to some tacticool people and was simply laughed at. Sadly, a LOT of people do not take this issue seriously.
Until they get arrested someday in a self-defense situation and realize that a local, "woke" jury might put them away in a real prison for years....
Thanks for another great video. This is the best channel for gun related content.
I shot IDPA indoors where we could have a dark stages. We used separate flashlights from our firearms. There were many different techniques used. I used a small LED light (SK78) that I could hold in my left hand between my middle and fore fingers and press the button on the back of the flashlight with my thumb to use it. When I needed to engage the target, I would fully depress the light button so it would stay on, point my firearm at the target and while holding the flashlight pointed at the target, I would use my left hand to support the firearm. Hard to explain so I googled searched images and found "Randi Rogers on Shooting With A Light" showing what I use but my light is a bit smaller. If the target was close, I could shoot single handed but I found this much better than one handed shooting because it added support to the firearm. Make it part of your dry fire practice. I do not use any mounted lights on my firearms as switching would just complicate things. If you have a mounted light, consider how and when you will turn it on.
So you search with a hand held light with gun pointed downward & you find the intruder with his gun drawn, presented & sights on you. By the time you drop your light and present he probably will fire already. Why are the good always at a legal disadvantage?
because the good are stupid.
Well an intruder with a gun out will probably see you with your flashlight before you see them. I'd think PROPER handheld tactical light should inflict significantly more night blindness to an intruder than a WML to balance the delay factor.
I’m no tactical expert, but why would you walk around the house with the flashlight on, instead of just using a momentary illumination? Walking around with the flashlight on is a good way to let everyone know where you are and where you’re going
@@MadMagyar13 my dude, you are making logical points, tactifags don't use logic
@@MadMagyar13 yea. Black Scout Survival said basically what you said on his channel a while ago. A light on a gun isn’t meant for keeping on perpetually and looking around in almost every case. Most notably because it gives your position away.
Thank you for teaching me a few things I didn’t know!
I didn't realize this was even a question. Simple logic tells you that anywhere the light is pointed, the barrel is pointed. And since we don't point a barrel at something we're not willing to destroy, we don't search with a WML. I'm frankly amazed this even needs to be explained.
The way you casually and straight-faced said "booger hooker" and "bang switch" in the same sentence had me dying for a minute.
This guy is stone cold. He attacks men's rears with no care.
Outstanding advice. Thank you!
At 24 years old and recently got into owning firearms, I swear every one of your videos make me realize how many things I didn't think of. I now keep a flashlight next to my home defense pistol, which already has a WML. Thanks for the content!!
Years ago I had access to an FBI training book .
It specified using a separately held flashlight , for searching , and to hold it up and away from your body , so you don't illuminate or mark yourself .
I do remember lots of usefull information in that manual .
Glad to see someone of experience verify some of my thoughts. All of the guntubers like talking about absolutely needing a weapon light for positive target ID. I get what they mean I think, but they mostly are talking about everyday carry and I believe that’s flawed.
I’m walking in a dark parking lot and see someone approaching me. I draw my weapon and shine my extremely bright weapon light at them. Oh it’s a mother and child, maybe I’ll stop pointing my gun at them now. That seems far more likely than armed bad guy. In the civilian world using a weapon light to ID seems very situational and mostly stupid. If I’m drawing my weapon in public I’ve already identified a threat or else I’m not clearing garment in a Walmart parking lot. Yes before I fire I want to be absolutely sure of my target and the immediate area surrounding them. A weapon light seems important as that final check before using my CC, but a EDC light seems far more valuable.
While I understand not wanting to point you gun at someone, if your clearing a room with a weapon your gun should be oriented with your eyes. A weapon light just gives you clarity of what your pointing at. The question most of us should be asking is why are we clearing rooms and if absolutely necessary how can we mitigate risk like running into people who are innocent.
Soooo why isn't John Fetterman doing hard time in PA for doing just this?
He belongs to the correct party.
Because some animals are more equal than others.
I'm really glad videos like this are being made. So many people carrying these days with little knowledge or experience and it's frightening.
6-15-2023 I'm looking at Your Video and never thought of the things you've Talking about. Old dog learning even Today. Thank you for your Videos.
Every gun owner should watch Mr. Massad's videos... it makes sense and it improves safe gun handling, no matter which country you are in the world.
What if in the time of PID the threat is pointing a gun back at you? And while transitioning to two hands and engaging the weapon flashlight on, a lot can happen in those split seconds.
Fish or cut bait. Take the light off the gun.
For generations, single handed fire was what everyone used - and often successfully. Okay, I am NOT suggesting we return to that, BUT - and especially at the very short ranges associated with in-home lawful defense - a dominant hand grip, with a handgun aimed at the felon’s center-of-mass, will (imho) work.
I'm keeping my light for that reason.
Yeah, people want to defend their lives which could get them in legal trouble… but then to avoid legal trouble, they sacrifice the seconds it would take to screw around with putting their handheld down and getting their gun out. Your threat isn’t going to pause for you transition to your weapon and unless we’re all hood rats, it’s not a good idea to shoot one handed unless your missing the other. Remember, the button for the light only turns on the light and doesn’t pull the trigger with it.
@@PDPIE1029 Yeah this is the real answer. Also you aren't going to jail for pointing a gun at somebody when you thought they were a home intruder. I'd say a wml and a handheld light are both good to have. WML for home intruder type situation and handheld for everything else
Is it just me or is it a little too easy to get charged with aggravated assault in your own damn house? I get Massad is trying to promote safety and to protect us from making potentially deadly mistakes but it sort of seems half of this video is designed to appease zealous District Attorney's who charge people whose only intent was to defend themselves.
Just another way to empower the criminal and punish the law abiding armed citizen. Sorry my home my rules (when it comes to myself or my love ones safety). It is the responsibility of the visitor (or the party that invited them) to properly notify the home owner/renter before such a incident takes place.
They favor criminals over law abiding citizens. Those cases put fear of legal retaliation in people thinking about self defense in the hope they'll forgo buying a defense tool.
@@aphilipdent Right! Very well put. The criminal does not give one shit about any of this stuff. But the armed citizen is going to have a double mind and end up dead. Pretty simple equation.🤷🏻♂️
@@aphilipdent Yes they do and Fuds like this guy from Wilson Combat just fall in line.
I also feel it's ridiculous to get charged that easily
Am I the only one concerned about the amount of time it would take to switch lights, draw your weapon and reacquire the target?
While I could see this in a ccw situation outside the home, I find it unlikely that Id you drew a weapon on someone in your home late at night that you’d get felony assault. Without having even fired the firearm.
Thank you Jake. I thought I was the only one thinking this way. As an officer myself I have come across this situation several times and the home owner was never charged for any crime. As a matter of fact most of the time they were applauded by police for the courage to refuse to be a victim
Absolutely. No way am I searching my own home with my gun down while using my handheld search light. I live with only my wife, so when a loud thud is heard in my home at night I’m definitely using the gun light with her behind me. We have castle laws and carry insurance for a reason. Anyone who’s tested their speed to first shot with a handheld vs weapon mounted light knows the advantage of the weapon mounted light. I’m not giving a burglar any additional advantages. Statistically home invaders are armed, and I’d rather face a jury than limit my ability to protect myself.
In addition, I’m searching with a rifle most of the time in my home, so the handheld is out of the question.
Generally I like his stuff but this video is just a little bizarre. I’m trying to be humble because I know he’s an expert and I’m not; but this really isn’t making sense
@@KB-jf8mj I live vey rural with my75 yo wife and dog...I need a free hand as I have to be able to grab the dog...there is no one else thats going to be in my house as my family lives very far away.....I totally agree outside the home
thank you for the video, Wilson Combat.
This is a great video …. Thank you ….. I could never express enough to gun owners the difference of use of light mounted guns … and a spare flashlight …. This helps a lot in my exploration ….. Thanks again for your video .
I don't have a light mounted on my pistol, but there are so many things we may do because we don't know the letter of the law. Always such wise and considered advice, Mas. Thanks
Thanks Massad. I learned a couple of new things, tonight. I’ve entertained the idea of buying a light for my home defense gun. I just have to do my research on finding the appropriate light that’s suitable for my needs.
i disagree with 90% of this video. The only thing I do agree with is having a separate light besides the weapon mounted light. Some background about myself. Come November of 2022 I'll have 28 years with the LAPD. I'm a Department and FBI firearms instructor, POST tactics instructor and I've attended the DHS Active Shooter Response instructor course. I started my career walking footbeats in the housing developments of Watts and wished almost every day I had a weapon mounted light like the SWAT guys.
Ayoob takes issue with pointing the weapon at a non-threat while using the attached light to identify and determine if the subject is a threat or not. Using the weapon mounted light is this fashion is the EXACT same thing as using any of the two handed light/gun searching techniques. In his book "Stressfire" Ayoob covers several techniques for integrating the light and weapon into a two handed grip. All of the modern techniques, the Harries, Wilson/Surefire, and Ayoob's, all work by combining the light and weapon into one unit so the weapon AND light are pointed at the subject simultaneously. This allows the using to positively identify if the subject is a threat, and if so have the weapon lined up. Ayoob suggestion to identify a threat with a separate light, then discard that light and bring the gun to bear, is bordering on ridiculous. The time lost, while just fractions of a second, could mean the difference between life and death.
I take issue with Ayoob's fear mongering of the risk of prosecution. While I'm certain it can and in some cases has happened, I'd much rather be alive to deal with legal issues then be dead because I needlessly surrendered an advantage.
Excellent post and thank you for posting it. Hopefully others read it and understand it. I'm shocked that i disagree with Ayoob so much on this...I too would consider most of this video horrible advice. I'm a fellow credentialed LE instructor btw, combat veteran, 20+ years of experience, I've studied and trained this stuff for decades, etc. I could not agree more with you, and I was about to post the same points until I read yours. Context is everything, and if something merits you having your gun out in the dark in the first place, well, you'd better have it out and ready.
I by FAR have and will never come close to your expertise and experience. But even I was thinking EXACT same thing about this video. WTF! He really should take it down. It's embarrassing. Thank you for your service and for writing this.
Mark - I appreciate your service on the job -- and 28 years is a storied career. There is a fundamental difference however, that I believe you're missing here between your experience and mine (not being on the job; however, I am an attorney). Simply put - no county prosecutor will ever bring a charge against a PO, on the job, who inadvertently paints a subject with their firearm whilst performing a search. You're in a house, apartment, warehouse and searching for whomever or whatever with a presumptively valid reason. The first thing you're going to do is clear the premises. If you're serving a warrant, you're going to have a weapon at the ready (most likely). If I am in that space, and I am not your target, you're going to hold me until you can determine that I'm not the subject or a threat to you. Even if this should happen in your home, whilst off duty, you're not likely to be charged with a crime.
However, I don't enjoy that same privilege. Civilians can, an do, get charged with gun crimes all the time for these types of scenarios - especially in states that are very anti-firearm (cough Illinois). While I do disagree with some of the tactical suggestions here, the advice, in my opinion, is reasonably sound. I don't want to spend $200,000 to defend a criminal charge (which is not an unreasonable amount of money) from a prosecutor who doesn't like guns in homes, because I used a weapon mounted light and some mope decided to try and argue that I was the aggressor.
Like everything involving firearms, and so many things in your career, the situation can change on a moment's notice. And yes, I have considered that the potential cost of defense is part of the cost of carrying a firearm (legally) and keeping them in my home for home defense. However, if I can minimize the risk any, that's an improvement in my mind. I've seen too many good people face bad outcomes (or potentially bad outcomes) because some prosecutor either wants to enhance a reputation or, and more likely now, push a social justice narrative that the mope breaking into my home was the victim and I was the aggressor because I heard a noise and went to investigate.
@@gordongekko6001 The issue when people start talking about weapon mounted light vs hand light is the either/or discussion. The correct answer, which I agree with here, is BOTH. I also agree the user must be certain there is some type of threat before drawing the weapon.
Too many people jumping at shadows go straight to the weapon light. That is wrong. There IS a time to go with the weapon light and that is when the user would be legal authorized to draw a weapon. So when it comes to searching the question is would the user be legal justified searching with a hand light AND weapon, such as when using the Harries/Chapman/Wilson-Rogers/Ayoob techniques? If the answer is yes then the weapon mounted light is far and away superior to any of those techniques.
Example 1. You are getting money late at night at the ATM. Out of the corner of your eye you think you see movement in the shadows. At this time the answer is to illuminate the shadow with the HAND light. If there is a threat then I would continue to illuminate with the hand light while drawing the weapon and use the hand light with a hasty gun/light technique such as the Harries. This would allow me to continuously illuminate the threat, not lose the light while transitioning to the weapon light.
Example 2. You live in a rural area where local police response time is 45 minutes minimum if they come at all. You have a house with detached garage/workshop. The dogs are barking and you see a human shape moving towards the back of the garage. Searching with a weapon light would be my first choice, with a hand light standby so if the the shadow turns out to be the neighbor boy with his girlfriend his parents don't approve of you can transition to the hand light AFTER positively identifying the shadow was not a threat. If the shadow IS a threat then covering with the weapon light while calling the police is completely valid.
I have a close friend who was a vet and also an avid Hunter. He's in his 70s. He used his rifle as binoculars during a hunting trip. Turned out being a father ,wife and son on the other end. Ended up getting into a fight over it at camp, then ended up in court. He had to pay a large fine, lawyers fees and lost his concealed carry permit for one year. This was in the state of Oregon!
Totally agree with your frame of thought on the use of lights. great video, Sir.
I've never put a light on a handgun for these very reasons. Also now, any additions to your gun can be used against you by a political/ignorant prosecutor, who will try to say you were looking for trouble. I have no custom back plate, no modified trigger, no gold plated barrel, no nothing but a stock gun. It's scary how bad prosecutions are getting each year, there is no reason to give these jerks any more material to use against you.
Not having a mounted light could also be used against you. You should be able to identify what your about to eliminate in the dark. Even a shit lawyer would have a field day with that precedent.
@@blazerdude89 If you shoot someone in the dark without knowing who you shot, you are an idiot and deserve the fullest punishment. I never said draw your gun blindly and start blasting.
Lmao FOHHHHHHH In Your own house?
Your videos bring a lot of thought and education to me
What none of these guys talk about is that your light tells the bad guys where you are and what you are looking at before you see them. The light makes a good aiming point too.
That's crazy... I literally came home 30 minutes ago to find my back door wide open. I made the family go back out to the truck and wait, while I went and searched my whole house with my sidearm and weapon light only to find my chocolate lab decided to come in the house. Very good video to watch today... Thank you guys for all that you do!
This is more legal advice but when it comes to tactics... Searching with a WML isn't the best option simply because if someone is going to shoot at you they will shoot at the light. Sure, it's more difficult to see but you can still easily get hit. It's far better to keep a light off hand UP AND AWAY from you for searching. That way if someone does shoot at the light, it's away from your body and head.
Exactly! Should be common sense.
So how's that scenario changing holding a seperate flashlight?
@@jacobpetersen5662 As I said, you're supposed to hold the off hand light up and away from you while searching. That way if someone does shoot at the light, it's at least less likely to hit your chest and head. If you're holding it right next to your head, that's dumb and will get you domed. If you're holding it right next to your weapon, that will get you shot in the chest and head. So, once again, if you are searching... You should use a non-weapon mounted light to search with that is up and away from your body. As, once again, if someone were to shoot at the light, it's less likely they will hit your head and chest. Obviously you can still get shot in the head, chest, arm, etc. It is just less likely and there is basically no reason not to do it. Also tactically speaking, if you're already going to be searching, you should be doing this anyway as it is more tactically sound and there is LITERALLY 0 reason to do so otherwise unless you're in some sort of WROL scenario.
Maybe it's years of Combat, and maybe the training I've continued for the the past decade after military service...... But forgive me for not being willing to sacrifice seconds when milliseconds count.
If you have time to drop the flashlight and switch to WML, you just got shot. Bad guys don't wait for you to switch to your weapon while they're aiming through the blind side of the closet doorway. Milliseconds!
It's not ideal sure........ But if I flag someone who's not supposed to be somewhere believe me...... They were not supposed to be there. If for some unlikely reason it isn't a threat that requires deadly force, at least that's a decision I have the ability to make. You won't get that decision if you flag your handheld at that methed out intruder pointing a blaster at you.
That's where I stand. Right or wrong? Who's really the judge? In this case I am, and I'm making sure my family and I don't fall victim in order to save someone's Fe Fe's from being flagged.
Your videos are outstanding! Keep doing them....
Great video !! I was always taught to hold the light out away from your body because the light can become a target and with you behind it you become a target as well. I ve never quite understood the desire to have a light mounted on a weapon. If I'm blinded by someone using a flashlight, I'm going to shoot at the light.
Always educational. Thanks for a brilliant safety lesson.
Great advise from a true expert in laws that involve firearms. I can only wish that my Police Department would have Massad on video as part of in-service training instead of woke social issues.
What caliber and gun are you guys issued
Those woke social issues will save them from being sued for millions of dollars for beating up or accidentially killing unarmed poor people.
@@Horror_Film_Aficionado
The 9mm is most common as a police duty firearm
Social issue education will actually prevent a lot of shootings in the first place, but yes, add Massad as a part of weapons training
I respectly disagree with Adam. It is my experience that police firearm training is lacking and that more available time for advance training is required. Point and shoot only training lacks tactical shooting needed by police officers. I don't see how spending time on woke social issues saves lives or improves a police officer's expertise with his firearm.
One question though. Would searching with another flashlight then switching to your handgun be enough time in a self defense scenario?
I shot IDPA indoors where we could have a dark stages. We used separate flashlights from our firearms. There were many different techniques used. I used a small LED light (SK78) that I could hold in my left hand between my middle and fore fingers and press the button on the back of the flashlight with my thumb to use it. When I needed to engage the target, I would fully depress the light button so it would stay on, point my firearm at the target and while holding the flashlight pointed at the target, I would use my left hand to support the firearm. Hard to explain so I googled searched images and found "Randi Rogers on Shooting With A Light" showing what I use but my light is a bit smaller. If the target was close, I could shoot single handed but I found this much better than one handed shooting because it added support to the firearm. Make it part of your dry fire practice. I do not use any mounted lights on my firearms as switching would just complicate things. If you have a mounted light, consider how and when you will turn it on.
I had the same question. A cop I believe always carries with a round chambered ready to fire. If they didn't then there would be that second or two necessary to chamber the round aim and fire, potentially costing that cop their life.
Flashlight in left hand. Wrist to wrist. Left hand underneath. Boom gun and light problem solved.
@@il9861 BOOM ????? LOL
@@johncourtleigh6092 what….
I get it. Let’s be as safe as we can. It’s not at all the same…a weapon light and a scope. I’m not out in the woods with a 30.06 scanning the woods for a guy breaking into my house. I’m in the house scanning for a guy that just kicked in my door or whatever. You can’t really make those one and the same. I love y’all at WC but this is a reach. Weapon mounted lights are to make searching in the dark easier so I have both hands on my weapon. If I’m searching my home with my gun, I’ve already made it clear that someone’s there that shouldn’t be. The first thing I do if that situation is at hand is take inventory of my family. Wife, kids, check, ok now any other human in this house is a bullet stopper. See, I live in Tennessee. In Tennessee, we know everybody has guns so we don’t screw around and come around unannounced. I don’t have much family anyway so that’s never going to happen. If someone is in my home, I’m shooting first and asking questions later. I’ll be damned if they get passed me and get to my family. If we go into home defense mode, my wife and kids have their role and they know what to do. They won’t be anywhere near me. Besides all that, I’m very well trained as are a lot of guys in this comment section. I would like to think a lot of us can search a structure with a weapon light while still being aware of what’s going on.
Bravo! Can y'all list all the states that make showing a firearm "felony aggravated assault" so we not visit there or spend money with vendors in those states?
The laws must be terrible in New Hampshire for someone to “clear leather” in a confrontation and get charged with aggravated assault where he was a police officer. I was really hoping that this was a video that was from April Fool’s day, but was dismayed to find its a recent upload. So much of this is wrong that it pains me to know he has law enforcement experience. Telling someone to use a handheld and then drop it once the threat has been identified completely defeats the purpose of having a WML in the first place. Having been in law enforcement myself in easily the most dangerous area of a major metropolitan area for the last 8 years, I can say with absolute confidence that having both hands on my gun and utilizing my WML has saved my life on multiple occasions, along with saving the lives/well-being of people I encountered. I have cleared on average at least three structures a day in my time on the street, for various reasons, and not often while inside a structure would I have thought to do something so ridiculous as occupying my support hand with a handheld light that I would constantly need to re-holster to open doors, etc. (I’ll allow that for very large structures that it will happen at times). I can’t disagree that everyone should always have a handheld light on them because it would be equally ridiculous to not have one solely based on the fact that you have a WML. It just should not be your primary tool when doing searches for a threat in a confined space. Deadly force encounters are so incredibly quick that utilizing your weapon light to gain a PID can mean the difference between life and death in a split second. Not being able to articulate why you were using a light from your weapon is most likely why he is aware of people who have been charged during defensive displays with a WML mounted on a gun. These would likely be scenarios where they are truly using their gun as a flashlight, instead of as a tool to search an area for a threat. If you’re doing a simple bump-in-the-night for an unknown check, sure, a handheld light with your firearm at low ready may be the call. But at least make the distinction in the discussion instead of an absolute statement on a tactic that could get someone killed.
I don’t want to judge his LE career because crazy shit can happen anywhere, but it sounds like he may have worked in a truly lovely part of the country based on the logic he is utilizing.
This is a truly lovely part of this country. I wonder where you are from?
There are a great many terrible laws and worse prosecutors in far too many places.
Spoken like a true killbot. Shoot first, ask questions later. RUclips is filled with low IQ thug cops just like you. 🤷♂️
If I am to the level of having my gun to perform a search in the house I have already done due diligence to make sure it’s not someone ‘supposed to be there’
Which is why you impress upon your teenagers to check in with you when they come in after bedtime.
You don't want to hear noises & find out after you've shot their friend who came home with them that they'd been drinking & his parents would kill him for being drunk.
@@doughesson That would never fly here without getting permission ahead of time. Who just brings friends over in the middle of the night without their parents knowing ahead of time?
@@TheGeenat Lots of kids do, figuring that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, especially in the scenario that I'd posited of drinking at a party & the other kid spends the night at your place to sleep it off.
You might want to impress upon yours that while you'll be ticked off that they were drinking, you're going to put their friends up for the night & deal with it in the morning.
Bright sunshine & loud talking....
You're not condoning the underage drinking, you're keeping them safe by not going to Defcon 4 on your kids' friends.
Empty Nest...no.kids...no problem...
Accidental shootings and mistaken identity happen all the time. No one ever thinks they would be the moron that did it. This is their mentality and how it happens.
Don’t listen to him on this subject. Do your own research and make your decision. Search out people that have been doing it in real life for some time and listen to them if you haven’t done it yourself. I love Wilson but the arrogance in which he delivers this nonsense is incredible. This is what happens when no one is actually questioned on their BS and given a platform to spill bullshit. He has no real accountability with this platform and has gone way too far, which exceeds his respect in the community. Thanks.
You must be new...
@@donnajanegrimsley1640
Lol! Hardly. But, thanks for the note😊
Great advice! A trigger finger can react before the brain can tell it to stand down.
Tu Lam the founder of Ronin Tactics
Did a training where if you are room clearing with a pistol. If your off hand hold the flashlight, but holding flash light positioned off to the side so that if someone targets you they shoot at the light (thats displaced) and not directly at you
I'm very confused at what situation you can possibly have at your house where their is someone who is suppose to be there but somehow you didn't know was there and also would press charges at you if you "quote" catch them in the middle of the night... Help me understand what your talking about please.
Your 20yo daughter living at home, brings in her yuppie libtard boyfriend late. You and him do not get along and have had words in the past, hence why he was snuck in late. He goes to the kitchen for one of your beers. You think she's not even home tonight, much less having a guest. You surprise him in the kitchen with your gun. He's got just what his libtard ass needed to really stick it to you in a court case against you and firearms... because he's a POS liberal that doesn't care about you or your daughter beyond her body. Massad Ayoob's advice is pretty solid. He's seen how actual court cases have played out. A wealth of real world information, not tacticool fantasy. There are such ridiculous charges that really do make it to court nowadays. My two cents worth anyways.
This is a great lesson. I took tactical pistol courses for two years and my instructor did not prefer weapon mounted lights and always taught the use of momentary handheld flashlights.
Did your instructor teach you about both hands on the handgun? I’m actually asking a question I’d love to hear the answer of.
@@peterreily1490 it’s a great question! Jokingly, it’s called a “handgun” and not a “handsgun”. But in all seriousness, your support hand will generally (a) rest under your strong arm’s wrist (b) rest above your strong arm’s elbow pit or (c) be used tactically away from the body to not give away your specific location. We also trained with various ambush tactics, on moving targets, and on the move but that’s why I said “generally”. I am by no means qualified to teach on this. My instructor was a former special ops sniper and the training was pretty hardcore. Often too hardcore for me.
@@j-dub8399 great advice, even “if not qualified “
The saying is a WML doesnt replace a handheld light.
@@peterreily1490 ,there are multiple tactical flashlight holding techniques being taught. One if the more popular is the (Michael) Harries technique. None of the techniques afford a strong off-hand grip; employing a non gun-mounted tactical flashlight involves a bit of a compromise, one that still makes sense.
Massad I have been involved in operations for over 30 years. I disagree with your opinion on the light and optic. As an operational team member, team leader, trainer and person that has used these tools in operations and combat they are valuable. I think your out look on the law and your scenario is extreme (like .01%). I would suggest getting some training time with sims ammo and some highly qualified operators/trainers. I’m pretty disappointed in Wilson Combat in putting this video out.
His legal advice is 100% correct on this subject. He did not say a hand held light is superior from a tactical viewpoint. He warned people of the likely scenarios where they WILL be charged with felonies. Even here in Arizona, we have those laws where pointing a gun, even by accident, is a felony with MANDATORY prison sentencing. Watch the legal videos with numerous cases of gun owners being imprisoned for pointing a firearm at someone they thought was the bad guy. Pointing a firearm towards anyone should always be a last resort action. Pointing a firearm at an unarmed burglar can get you jail time in many states.
@@briangc1972 that’s not what he stated. He stated that in your home searching with a firearm with a light and you point it at someone (a family member) while believing an intruder is in the residence you can be charged. NO. Obviously you should have training and experience for doing these things, but his analogy is incorrect. If you point a firearm at a person for no reason yes you can be charged. Remember to have a crime you must have a couple of things. One party needs to be in fear and the other needs to have intent. There is much more to clearing your house or property that you know better than another person from a tactical standpoint. Such as when and where to use a light etc.
@@philhawkins9636 You need to watch the video again. My statement was correct.
@@briangc1972 No, it's not.
I know you don't care about my training or experience, but Ayoobs advice will get you killed in real life. Ask me how I know.
@@oscarapple1365 Then maybe you should get your own RUclips channel.
Paul Harrell said something along the lines of, "a weapon mounted light is good in addition to, not in place of a handheld light". Never point a firearm at anything you dont intend to destroy.
Why put yourself in the situation where you have to wander around at night with a flashlight and gun possibly getting ambushed. Your afraid to point your gun at someone until you identify them, but a criminal will never give you any consideration. Secure your home, make it impossible to enter and get a big German Shepard that likes your kids.
Sorry, as a private citizen, I'm not searching my house without turning the lights on.
Almost every trainer and expert says to shelter in place in a designated location with what ever room aheads light on. Not to mention if you fear you are being burglarized, you have justification (in most jurisdictions) to have a weapon up and ready.
Outside is a bit different. Public vs private property is different.
There is no "one size fits all answer".
This is my basic approach now, shelter in place and use the element of surprise. I used to go outside armed when I heard a noise in the back yard etc. That was until one day the PD showed up at my house late knocking on my front door asking to come thru the house into my backyard to encircle a neighbor who was threatening his mom and they were concerned would jump the fence to flee. It occurred to me, what if they hadn't asked my permission and just went in my backyard in the interests of expediency? Could have ended up with dead or injured cops and/or myself...no thanks.
Well, sometimes you're not sure there is a break in. If you're not sure you go look to see what is going on before you call the cops. If you find out a break in is going down then you should retreat.
Exactly bro. This thing about searching our home in the dark is glorified by tv. Good gravy, turn the lights on from around the corner.
Anyway, on to another subject. Massad usually has decent info, but he is making a comparsion between some goober hunting out in the open and our home which is protected by the 4th Amendment. Besides, law enforcement do this on a regular basis - point a gun at a suspect... even if they don't immediately see a weapon. I guess they commit felony aggravated assault everytime they order a suspect to the ground?? No. Why should trained citizens be any different?
If more people realize how quickly a suspect can produce a weapon and fire shots at you before you can even bring your unholstered weapon up (even more so drawing from a holster), they would get out of these liberal states that prosecute good citizens defending themselves.
@@JamesReedy Oh I know. It is a no brainer that if I get a "funny feeling" in a parking lot, I'm not going to pull my gun to search around. In that case, yes, use a handheld light but probably have hand on the gun while moving away from the believed danger.
If I'm in my back yard where I think something is trying to do something bad (burglar or large predator animal), yeah, I'm probably gonna have a gun at low ready. But I am also turning the back porch light on.
If I am in my house in the middle of the night and think someone broke in, there isn't a jury in any state worth living in that is going to give you felony aggravated assault/brandishing charges. Family member or not.
@@AC_metro Yeah, pretty much every trainer or expert says that clearing a structure alone is suicide. Gather your family, shelter in a hard position if possible and call 911 while being ready to shoot a bad guy coming through the door. You aren't John Wick.