Bikes and Bullets This Ain’t Hollywood…Dispelling the Myths By Mark “Six” James A buddy who is an avid biker recently asked me, “What is the best handgun for a bike?” I told him there isn’t one. In general I tell people the best handgun you can have is the one you currently have. However if you are getting ready to add to the collection or purchase your first one, below are some general rules of thumb for me when recommending a firearm: • Reliability - I want a firearm that goes bang every time. One that is not temperamental and accepting of multiple types of ammo. • Simplicity – Refers to ease of operation. How easily can you operate the firearm under stress? Both basic weapons handling and reloading. • Accuracy - Should always trump caliber size. Don’t buy what someone else carries buy what you shoot the best. You wouldn’t buy a bike without test driving it first, so rent before you buy. It also doesn’t do any good to have a large caliber that you can’t shoot accurately. Only hits count, you can’t miss fast enough to catch up.
The Bite – “Bikes & Bullets”
• Training on tactics - Most people usually survive deadly force encounters based on their tactics first and their marksmanship second. Not getting shot will always be more important than shooting, thus shooting is extra credit. Regardless of the type of firearm you carry get training on how and when to tactically deploy it. The Challenge Before these steel horses (motorcycle) get to far out the barn, pump your brakes. Let’s address one fundamental truth, most people don’t shoot well while they are riding or ride well while they are shooting. So riding will probably take precedent. Since unlike a car a motorcycle involves two hands to operate whether negotiating the clutch or the throttle. Since 90% of the population is right handed, two of the most important controls on a bike the throttle and the front brake are both operated with the right hand, the practicality of most people shooting from a bike with their strong-side hand has 1 virtually been eliminated.
The Bite – May 2016
Also if you are operating a bike at 50 mph that means you are moving at 75 feet per second. So even if you wanted to consider shooting and you understood the concept of lead or lag depending on who is moving faster, as soon as you turn your head to look at your potential adversary most people are going to influence the movement of the bike. Then trying to regain your focus on the road and avoiding an obstacle, curve or another vehicle probably becomes more dangerous than the adversary you are concerned with in this encounter. Balance Even while stationary some of the other challenges often involve balance and clothing. If you had to draw your weapon from a seated or standing position how well can you effectively balance your bike? Can you stand up and hold your bike between your legs while attempting to draw your firearm? Negotiating your Gear Since many bikers often employ sturdy leather clothing for both safety and comfort if you can’t balance your bike between your legs without utilizing a least one hand, can you effectively draw your firearm with one hand? Many riding jackets often taper and function like a second skin for protection and aerodynamic considerations even with two hands can you clear the sturdily tapered garment with one hand while accessing the firearm with the other and maintain balance of the bike? Also since many bikers ride with gloves how often have you practiced manipulating the operating controls of the firearm in gloves? If the answer to any those questions is no, I think we are starting to see some of the challenges under the best considerations even with a stationary bike.
The Bite – “Bikes & Bullets”
If you do believe engaging is a possibility if you wear your firearm on your waist you may want to consider getting a riding jacket that can unzip from the bottom verses the top or has dual capabilities as it makes accessing your firearm easier as it shortens the distance to clearance. If you prefer a jacket that zips in the traditional method you may want to consider a shoulder holster for easier access. Also there are a number of riding jackets that have built in holsters in the upper pockets.
2
The Bite – May 2016
However please understand motorcycle officers are trained to engage off the bike not from it so unlike your latest “Mission Impossible” movie engaging from a bike is a tactic often reserved for Hollywood. Every time the assassins tried shooting Mike Banning in “London has Fallen,” he hit them with the car. CCW Holders Be Damned If you are not riding in protective gear and just wearing a tee shirt or light jacket often when riding the wind makes your tee or jacket blouse out away from your body and even if you have a CCW permit depending on your state someone may attempt to take your bike’s tag number contact the authorities and report you for brandishing a firearm.
Utilizing Distance
When we think about bikes, there main assets are speed, acceleration and maneuverability. So now let’s consider those strengths in the context of the tactical triad of cover, concealment and distance. One of your first consideration in any potentially deadly force encounter is often to create distance. In the words of my friend Tony Scotti, “Escape the kill zone.” Most people don’t shoot well over distance so my goal is to put as much space between me and my adversary as possible. This is where a bikes acceleration and maneuverability capabilities come into play. A bike can go from 0 – 60 much quicker than an automobile. At 60 mph you are moving at 90 feet per second. So in 3 seconds you have almost placed a football field between you and the threat. A tactical escape beats a tactical encounter every time. Just like in vehicle gun fighting, the only time I am fighting with my handgun is if my bike is disabled and I don’t have the ability to escape.
Understanding Cover, Concealment and Distance If you feel you must engage the fundamental principles of surviving a deadly force firearm encounter don’t change regardless of standing, walking or other transportation mode. While no two defensive encounters are the same, from a survivability standpoint they generally should incorporate employing your tactical strengths, and the situation should always dictate the tactics. Cover, concealment and distance are always your friend. However application of those principles may be applied slightly differently from your bike.
The Bite – “Bikes & Bullets”
3
The Bite – May 2016
Dealing with Road Rage
Bike Jacking Whenever you are stopped constantly scan your surroundings maintaining situational awareness. If someone makes you uncomfortable or you notice their actions are triggered off of yours, then ride away. I would rather you explain to an officer why you ran a stop sign or red light based on the suspect’s actions. If a person pulls a handgun on you even if you are wearing a handgun, consider complying real or feign, as action always beats reaction. You can’t outdraw a drawn gunman. Depending on your training and accessibility to your own firearm you can draw on a distracted gunman but if you are in full riding gear that can be tough as discussed above. The things you own are insured including your bike so it is generally not worth it to attempt to engage late. Now if they want you to go with them, in my best Bill Maher voice now we have, “New Rules.” At this point it is game on. If you are going to be shot or victimized consider making your stand here in a heavily populated area. There is a better chance someone can assisting you or at least calling 911 and getting help on the way. If you allow yourself to be taken to a remote location there is no guarantee you will ever be heard from again.
The Bite – “Bikes & Bullets”
Drive courteously. If you accidentally cut someone off always make it a point to apologize. Consider looking their direction and say “I am sorry.” Often a hand placed over the heart is seen as a sign of sincerity. Corral your ego and avoid an encounter particularly if you accidentally initiated the misunderstanding. Now if a driver gets out of his or her vehicle then just ride away. If you are stopped at a red light, use the other cars as cover or concealment by driving in between them or around them to include going onto the sidewalk to get away. Do everything you can to keep a person from potentially getting you into a life altering situation. Remember ride safely and your firearm should only be considered as your last line of defense.
Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC. He is an internationally published author, keynote speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and frequent contributor to a number of print, broadcast and online media. Panther Protection Services is a full service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Protective Services, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction. 4 www.pantherprotectionservices.com