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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
While that's possible, it's not probable, and I think that's a context this specific video is sorely lacking. You don't have to wait until you are actively being murdered, to prevent your murder. No sane judge/jury on Earth would actually convict you of anything simply for maneuvering your defensive weapon in such a way as to make it ready for use under circumstances you can articulate justify it. Such a conviction would literally upend our entire right to self-defense (look to the Rittenhouse case for examples of how absurd a case would need to be made to even attempt that, as well as the outcome).
in or CC class they brought in a lawyer. he said assume you will be arrested for any action you will take with your gun and assume they will take your vun for it. assume every prosecutor, judge and juror will be a anti gun. let that along with compleat knowledge of the law guide you actions and you might be ok.
@spookytkid if that's the case, you're already fucked. Do what you need to in order to survive, and let the chips fall where they may on the legal side.
@@foxhoundusmc it just means train adequately, know the laws, act appropriately. then if any one or more of those things become a reality your lawyer has the best chance to defend you successfully. but hey go ahead and John Wayne it, and when you're carrying out your duty's as Tyrone's wife in the federal pen. you xan look back on those words of wisdom in a CZcams comment section and your flippant response. good luck Duke, lol
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.
Thank you, sir, for your priceless advice. My introduction to you was your book "In the Gravest Extreme". I thank God that several decades have passed since I read that book without any mishaps whatsoever. That book was a kick in my butt, and I am glad you did!
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
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
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.
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.
There is much more context that needs to be given to this topic other than just "never use weapon mounted light to search". If you are doing an outside search because a old home owner thinks she heard something outsider her house and wants law enforcement to conduct an property search to make her feel better, then I absolutely agree use a hand held light. However if I am responding to a building alarm and find an open door then the search is getting done with a weapon mounted light, if I am responding to a homeowner who comes home and finds their front door kicked in and wants LE to clear the house, I am conducting that search with my weapon mounted light, If I am carrying out an arrest warrant at a house for a known felon known to be in possession of firearms then the search is getting done with my weapon mounted light. Context matters and the notion that using a handheld light to search all the time and that you can just drop it and draw your gun if you need to already puts you behind the reactionary curve. ****UPDATE BELOW**** Since there are so many comments about how his advice is not meant for law enforcement but the average citizen. Lets break it down like this, if you are asleep in your own home and hear a noise and grab your gun and begin clearing with your weapon mounted light and find someone that was invited into your house by another family member and you pointed the gun at them until you were able to figure out who they were and why they are there, you are not getting charged with assault with a deadly weapon (that’s just plain not true). A homeowner in their own home pointing a weapon at someone until they can identify them is completely legal, now if you go outside because you heard a noise and end up pointing a gun at someone walking across your property posing no threat or lets say a boyfriend sneaking out of your daughters window that’s a different story (don’t go looking for a fight you are not conducting a direct action operation). Secondly lets address the drop the hand held and transition to your firearm, this is just plain bad advice, you come around a corner in your home and find a person in your own with a firearm and you think you are going to drop your handheld and transition to your weapon faster than they can shoot you is just not the case and science of reaction time will prove me correct however, there are cases with extremely well trained individuals who have the ability to operate efficiently under extreme stress and would likely be able to react correctly however they are still behind the reactionary curve. Lets also add in what’s called the sympathetic nervous system response, you already have one object in your hand and something triggers the fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) you are more likely to continue to hold that object while trying to access another or even if you have both one handheld light and your gun pointed down at your side you are likely discharge a round the moment you are startled and presented with a life or death situation (there is much more science surrounding the subject that I encourage people to read). This is why officers who have had people at gun point and reached up to push the button on their radio have also discharged their firearm at the same time or had objects such as a handheld light in their hand and during a fight or flight situation have failed to drop the object in their hand thus complicating their employment of the deadly force weapon this is all based on science. Now with that being said can this be trained out of someone yes and no, 99% of the population (to include police officers) will never train to the level required to experience this type of reaction and thus will never reach the proficiently level required during a situation like this. However, since everyone responds differently to fight or flight some people are better accustomed to deal with that biological response than others, so this is not a blanket applies to everyone statement, but it applies to most people. Lastly your gun should be for searching because you have a reasonable belief there is a deadly force threat (not to search just because it has a light on it), if you head something outside your home don’t grab a gun and go searching around to “find the bad guy” you have no right to protect property with deadly force (even in Texas) unless you are in danger and that’s hard to argue when you go out and aggress the threat. Stay in your home arm yourself and call the police, when they show up place your gun down and let the police search your property for whatever you heard. If you return from a night out and find your door kicked in do does not enter and try to find the bad guy, call the cops and let them do their job (this obviously does not apply if you have family members inside the home such as children that you believe are in danger). One last thing, if you carry a firearm for protection make sure you are studying case law and understand the various case laws regarding self defense and shootings.
Exactly! This is what people in these comments dont understand. Theres a huge difference between using a handheld light to do a cursory search of a large area and actively searching for a dangerous suspect (shooter) with a wml. They are not interchangeable. Your gonna catch rounds way before you can use your duty weapon with a handheld in your hand
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.
Thank you for that insight. You just gave me training that I never experienced. The justification for your comments along with identifying the issues at hand, are incredibly important. Fortunately I have never had to track someone down or even identify a target, however, now i understand the proper and important way of doing it
Great video and very thought provoking! Thanks for what you do. Everybody that shoots needs to be watching these videos, even if it's just to keep the safety reminders, fresh in our minds!
I used to be a cop in a huge city. I’ve had to do building searches many many times, both with and without weapon mounted lights. No weapon mounted light really really sucks. Maybe as a cop I was allowed to temporarily point a loaded gun at some innocent where a regular citizen wouldn’t, I don’t know. But having to open doors and work a radio and move things with my support hand while my primary hand held whatever weapon bearing light was really handy. Thinking of doing everything other than holding my weapon with my support hand makes me thing that hand would be overwhelmed with tasks.
I am also a cop. I definitely had to take this in context. I use my WML every search. If I didn’t it would be task saturation to the point of being dangerous. And the quality of any gunfire I send down range would be hurt . His advice isn’t for professionals tho this is good advice for a home owner.
@@aaroncheney9966 I disagree. As a 27 year veteran cop, and a 22 year veteran firearms instructor, I can tell you that his advice is DEFINITELY for Law Enforcement and civilians alike. You shouldn't be pointing your weapon at everything you look at while searching. Have your weapon in your dominant hand in position Sul, and have your handheld flashlight in your support hand. It takes no time to bring the weapon up to engage or cover a threat when you identify one. Remember that LEO's are held to a much higher standard with regard to accidental shootings than civilians are. We never teach to search with a WML. It's just not how we do it. Stay safe Brother!
For 12 years I showed movies in a Grindhouse and between showings I had to pick up cold cups and butter tubs while the credits were rolling so that I could get upstairs to thread the projector and then run down to tear tickets. So to stuff the trash bag I carried a penlight made of plastic so that I could hold it in my teeth while reaching under seats for all of those empty candy boxes.
@@MrBradPenton I disagree with your statement that LEOs are held to a higher standard. That's what is supposed to happen, but reality rarely reflects that anymore. A police officer gets innocence until proven guilty, as it should be. They have an entire police force and government giving them the benefit of the doubt. To be fair, this idiotic "defund the police" movement often puts an unnecessary target on their back in the public eye, so I can definitely sympathize with that. However that same public scrutiny can destroy the life of a private citizen just as easily due to mindless anti-gun rhetoric. A citizen who shoots a mugger or housebreaker gets one expensive lawyer on their side, that's it. Everyone else tends to assume the worst of their actions until proven otherwise beyond a shadow of a doubt, especially these days when criminals tend to have more rights in the court system than law abiding citizens.
@@herbderbler1585 respectfully, put on a badge and God forbid have an incident where you use deadly force. I can personally attest that was the worst 19 months of my life. I can without any hesitation tell you that LEO’s are held to a higher standard than civilians because of their training. We live in glass houses, but I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. I know of several cases in my career where civilians have used deadly force and the case was simply sent to the grand jury for a no bill. The investigation following a use of deadly force incident in law enforcement, is far more complex. The legal term you were eluding to is qualified immunity. That is under attack at every angle. I know that it can be an unwelcome event in a civilians life, but it’s not the same.
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.
Excellent logic. Thanks for the information. I've used one for years but mainly for the laser sight and always in combination with my regular flashlight. I also live alone with no one other than me having legal access to the home so my circumstances are a bit different at this stage of my life, but I'd still never search with only the light on the weapon.
These are all fantastic points and part of the reason I always carry a small handheld light in my pocket as well as a weapon mounted light on my handgun. Fenix PD25R for the pocket light and a Surefire X300 for my pistol. I mainly carry both as a contingency for the other but also carry a handheld light because I need it more often than not. And obviously pulling out your handgun to find a tool you dropped in the engine compartment of a truck with a bunch of people all around in the shop is a no-go. I cannot praise enough the benefits of having a pocket light. That, plus a good folding blade and your handgun is essential.
This makes perfect sense. However, I live alone. No one has a key to my home. If someone is in my home, there is a 100% chance that they are there uninvited. I am skipping the secondary light.
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.
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.
.... 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. ~
Excellent video, thank you. I’ve always used a hand held (and rarely illuminated) high-intensity flashlight. Why: 1. I know my home’s “territory,” but the felon doesn’t; I don’t want to provide any illumination than might help the criminal. Therefore, I’ll activate the light only for a second . . . IF I need to make an identification. 2. I don’t want to reveal my position or my movements. 3. I don’t want to provide the felon with a target; most firing stances place the weapon-mounted light very near your center-line.
@@hummingbird_saltalamakia May be disorienting to both the felon and the lawful defender. I’m generally not in favor of fashionable adjuncts; rather, I believe in mastering and executing the long-acknowledged fundamentals with precision and skill.
I’ve said this about weapon mounted lights ever since I first saw one. There are a lot of things you will need to point your light at that you do not want to point your gun at
In a cqb situation when you have to switch between right and left hand, it's almost impossible to do it quickly if you're holding a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other. If you're just looking for something, a pocket flashlight will suffice.
Well that's because you can't think of other people who have a different situation and a home defense set up that's different from yours. Some people have a home that doesn't have kids. Doesn't have anybody else with keys or alarm codes or anything else that will end up with a unexpected person lawfully in their house. Some people have zero problem legally or morally shining their weapon light and pointing their gun at anything in their house. Like duh. It's not a search light,. Don't use it as a regular flash light, you're pointing a gun at things. That should be obvious to the majority of the gun community. It should also be obvious to the gun community that there's definitely people/ situations and use cases for having and using the lights. PS. I am one of those people that doesn't have to worry about it being some lawful person in the house etc. There IS a light on a home defense pistol. Yet I have NEVER used it. I use my regular flashlight for regular "searching" around the place. The gun won't even come out of the holster unless there's clearly something that's a real problem. And if it ever does,. I'm glad it has a light on it and whomever or whatever gets gun/ light pointed at it deserved it.
You can flag innocent people by doing any search, even if you don't have a mounted light. This video really just gets across the legal risks one assumes when they grab their weapon.
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.
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 much ado about gun tech wizardry, this is so fundamental, yet I suspect sadly a huge number of fans have long forgotten the cardinal rules of firearm safety - if they ever learned them. You NEVER point a weapon at anyone/thing you don't intend to shoot. Practically, the startle reflex might just cause you to pull the trigger, should your beam suddenly sweep onto a cowering human, especially if they jump or, fearing for their life, decide to lunge at you. A humble reminder, for those obsessed with overtraining that mostly builds a reflex to fire before thought can intervene - the firing of a gun is likely to be the final act in any defensive situation, so treat it that way. Exhaust all your options before committing to this irreversible action: shelter in place, if feasible, anticipate an aggressor's approach, and fire only when their intentions and proximity are made apparent. Never chase, pursue, or go through any area in search of a bad guy, because they will already be waiting for you to expose yourself - unless that noise turns out to be a sleepwalking child or spouse, who you may shoot in the darkness, as you are blind with fear.
.. This video's content (of concise but thorough firearm laws education and more than qualified instruction) is one of many reasons why I am your fan and a enthusiastic subscriber! .. I sincerely appreciate your clear insights and years of hands-on skilled experience! Your channel should be REQUIRED VIEWING for any newbie and even seasoned professionals that may have become complacent &/or mentally rusty on many of this channel's video subjects .. Please continue with your excellent content and may you soon hit 1 million subscribers! ...
I don't even need a gun in my country (and we are not able to), but I like this video. He speaks in a calm, composed manner, with logical and well-organized thoughts. He also has a deep and trustworthy voice, good one
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
My solution is to have 2 lights on in the house all the time. They are low power LED’s so they don’t burn much energy, but provide enough light to clear the house in case of a problem. They also tend to discourage burglars because they see a light in the window and think someone is up. This also means I have enough light to do things at night without turning on a light to see.
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.
I think there are a few people in the comments that need to rewatch this video. They misinterpreted what was being said or they just had to inject their 2 cents without watching the entire video. (BC) Literally everything Mr Ayoob said was 100% correct and factual. If you really wanted to be bored by "contect" then the vid would have been 20 minutes longer. And Mr Ayoob did put enough context in it. However some people don't listen well enough and have to talk over the one actually speaking and teaching because "they know better". Mr Ayoob is no noob, go research his history. This video was mainly pointed at the untrained home owner, a little for the hunters and a sprinkle of LE. The tactical use of lights on firearms has changed over the yrs and hasn't gotten to everyone yet. I'm a firm believer that as it is our right to keep and bear arms, it is our responsibility to also get training from a knowledgeable source that has had actual real world experience. Every instructor and coarse is different. It's up to us to decide if the training is beneficial, appropriate and useful. All Mr Ayoob is doing here is imparting knowledge from decades of experience to the untrained noob, hunters and some LE.
Also, if you use a flashlight, in the event of tracking an armed suspect, hold the flashlight laterally at arms length away from your body as you search. That way given that your light makes your position obvious, if they take a shot at you, they might miss, as apposed to holding the light (or a weapon light) right in front of you, you give them a center-mass target.
Same way I was trained. Also, we were instructed to have a lanyard long enough to make that stretch that you mentioned in your post. When you need to use that hand to manipulate door handles etc, you can simply let go of the light instead of stowing it.
Honestly, if you want to really do it right as a 2A person, I don't think there's a better resource out there than this channel. There are many great channels now, but between Mas, Bill, and Ken, you're getting a combined total of nearly two centuries of wisdom from these guys. We are so lucky...
For years I've carried a flashlight as part of my EDC as well as a weapon mounted light.But you never know when you just need a light.You can't pull out your weapon.
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 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.
Thank you for the excellent advice. I had a long discussion with a friend on this topic. He has a gun mounted light and I’ve never been a fan. My argument is this…if in total darkness you are walking around with pistol and light on and the bad guy is sitting in a dark corner with gun , he knows exactly where you are.
Notice that often in movies the FBI, SWAT or Troops use weapon mounted lights or Lasers. Effectively giving away their location and direction of travel.
But what if the person you find isnt a bad guy? How are you identifying them? Verbal commands? Then they still know where you are and you still have no idea of knowing who they are.
Very good advice . I was surprised to hear that . I been carrying my Stinger Flashlight for years. .doing my searches with it . Can always learn something everyday. Thanks .
I think it depends on the situation. If everyone in your household is actually accounted for and it's clear that someone broke into your house, I don't see any problem with a blinding weapon mounted light for identification for home defense. I understand the caution but wouldn't make it an absolute.
Aye, that kinda goes into the category of prior intel. If you simply hear a noise and don't know who or what is causing it, searching with a gun light might be a bad idea. However as you said, if you have your whole family accounted for and they've all vouched that they did not invite someone over without telling you, you know there's an entity in your house that isn't authorized to be there. Your next move might be different then. That being said, the possibility of a panic trigger pull is something to consider. There are many situations where you might catch someone who isn't supposed to be there, but you don't necessarily want/need to shoot them. Perhaps the home intruder is someone you know who is currently making a very stupid mistake but you'd prefer they didn't die for it. No matter how legally justified you were in shooting them, you'd probably feel awful about it for the rest of your life. It's just another complicated set of decisions you have to make in the moment. If I'm home alone I'm probably willing to give an identified intruder a moment to surrender, whereas if my family is there perhaps I'm more likely to just end the threat upon identification because I am NOT willing to risk the safety of my family for the sake of a burglar. Either way, perhaps Massad has a point that sweeping the house with a loaded gun while your nerves are at Def Con 1 should be treated as an absolute last resort.
@@herbderbler1585 I don't plan to go searching when my family is accounted for. That's dumb. I will post up and blind any intruder with a powerful WML. If they want to step into the light after my warnings, that's their fault and will get shot.
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.🤷🏻♂️
Another thing to consider is that YOU know every inch of your house. The intruder does not. This gives you a great advantage in the dark as you can navigate your way around while the intruder is constantly scanning the area to figure out what he is looking at. When you turn on that light, not only can that light illuminate the room, allowing the intruder to see the area just as well as you can, but it also gives your position away by telling him where you're coming from.
Gotta watch out for already illuminated areas such as where night lights are positioned around the house. Maybe take them out in the event if you have the wherewithal?
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
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?
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.
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 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.
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!!
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
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.
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!
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.
Excellent point Mass on use of flashlight instead of gun light to search on suspicious target. Thank you.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mr. Ayon’s clear-headed, experienced-backed wisdom and logic is so very valuable. I wish it were more contagious.
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.
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.
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.
That part about being charged for almost taking your gun out of its holster is CRAZY!
While that's possible, it's not probable, and I think that's a context this specific video is sorely lacking. You don't have to wait until you are actively being murdered, to prevent your murder. No sane judge/jury on Earth would actually convict you of anything simply for maneuvering your defensive weapon in such a way as to make it ready for use under circumstances you can articulate justify it. Such a conviction would literally upend our entire right to self-defense (look to the Rittenhouse case for examples of how absurd a case would need to be made to even attempt that, as well as the outcome).
Depends if it was to intimidate. It's hard to know. If so though I have no sympathy.
Maybe I heard the story wrong though...
in or CC class they brought in a lawyer. he said assume you will be arrested for any action you will take with your gun and assume they will take your vun for it. assume every prosecutor, judge and juror will be a anti gun. let that along with compleat knowledge of the law guide you actions and you might be ok.
@spookytkid if that's the case, you're already fucked. Do what you need to in order to survive, and let the chips fall where they may on the legal side.
@@foxhoundusmc it just means train adequately, know the laws, act appropriately. then if any one or more of those things become a reality your lawyer has the best chance to defend you successfully. but hey go ahead and John Wayne it, and when you're carrying out your duty's as Tyrone's wife in the federal pen. you xan look back on those words of wisdom in a CZcams comment section and your flippant response. good luck Duke, lol
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.
I look forward to every Mas video I can get. Thanks Mas and thanks Wilson Combat!
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.
Thank you, sir, for your priceless advice. My introduction to you was your book "In the Gravest Extreme". I thank God that several decades have passed since I read that book without any mishaps whatsoever. That book was a kick in my butt, and I am glad you did!
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!
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
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.
I just love Critical Mas. Learn and reenforce so much. Thank you.
Another highly informative video, teaching me things that I had not considered. Thank you!
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.
There is much more context that needs to be given to this topic other than just "never use weapon mounted light to search". If you are doing an outside search because a old home owner thinks she heard something outsider her house and wants law enforcement to conduct an property search to make her feel better, then I absolutely agree use a hand held light. However if I am responding to a building alarm and find an open door then the search is getting done with a weapon mounted light, if I am responding to a homeowner who comes home and finds their front door kicked in and wants LE to clear the house, I am conducting that search with my weapon mounted light, If I am carrying out an arrest warrant at a house for a known felon known to be in possession of firearms then the search is getting done with my weapon mounted light. Context matters and the notion that using a handheld light to search all the time and that you can just drop it and draw your gun if you need to already puts you behind the reactionary curve.
****UPDATE BELOW****
Since there are so many comments about how his advice is not meant for law enforcement but the average citizen. Lets break it down like this, if you are asleep in your own home and hear a noise and grab your gun and begin clearing with your weapon mounted light and find someone that was invited into your house by another family member and you pointed the gun at them until you were able to figure out who they were and why they are there, you are not getting charged with assault with a deadly weapon (that’s just plain not true). A homeowner in their own home pointing a weapon at someone until they can identify them is completely legal, now if you go outside because you heard a noise and end up pointing a gun at someone walking across your property posing no threat or lets say a boyfriend sneaking out of your daughters window that’s a different story (don’t go looking for a fight you are not conducting a direct action operation).
Secondly lets address the drop the hand held and transition to your firearm, this is just plain bad advice, you come around a corner in your home and find a person in your own with a firearm and you think you are going to drop your handheld and transition to your weapon faster than they can shoot you is just not the case and science of reaction time will prove me correct however, there are cases with extremely well trained individuals who have the ability to operate efficiently under extreme stress and would likely be able to react correctly however they are still behind the reactionary curve. Lets also add in what’s called the sympathetic nervous system response, you already have one object in your hand and something triggers the fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) you are more likely to continue to hold that object while trying to access another or even if you have both one handheld light and your gun pointed down at your side you are likely discharge a round the moment you are startled and presented with a life or death situation (there is much more science surrounding the subject that I encourage people to read). This is why officers who have had people at gun point and reached up to push the button on their radio have also discharged their firearm at the same time or had objects such as a handheld light in their hand and during a fight or flight situation have failed to drop the object in their hand thus complicating their employment of the deadly force weapon this is all based on science. Now with that being said can this be trained out of someone yes and no, 99% of the population (to include police officers) will never train to the level required to experience this type of reaction and thus will never reach the proficiently level required during a situation like this. However, since everyone responds differently to fight or flight some people are better accustomed to deal with that biological response than others, so this is not a blanket applies to everyone statement, but it applies to most people.
Lastly your gun should be for searching because you have a reasonable belief there is a deadly force threat (not to search just because it has a light on it), if you head something outside your home don’t grab a gun and go searching around to “find the bad guy” you have no right to protect property with deadly force (even in Texas) unless you are in danger and that’s hard to argue when you go out and aggress the threat. Stay in your home arm yourself and call the police, when they show up place your gun down and let the police search your property for whatever you heard. If you return from a night out and find your door kicked in do does not enter and try to find the bad guy, call the cops and let them do their job (this obviously does not apply if you have family members inside the home such as children that you believe are in danger).
One last thing, if you carry a firearm for protection make sure you are studying case law and understand the various case laws regarding self defense and shootings.
Agree. Just keep your finger off the trigger until it's necessary.
Exactly! This is what people in these comments dont understand. Theres a huge difference between using a handheld light to do a cursory search of a large area and actively searching for a dangerous suspect (shooter) with a wml. They are not interchangeable. Your gonna catch rounds way before you can use your duty weapon with a handheld in your hand
@@lambchop6210💯% True. You can't transition fast enough with Ayoob's light tactics.
@@tjmayer9103 what kills me is all the people in the comments stating that this is the right way blows my mind
@@lambchop6210 Yes! Lacking common sense and experience, I presume.
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.
I really appreciate the way you present your material. You've helped clarify many of my gun ignorance preconceptions. Thank you
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.
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
Thank you for that insight. You just gave me training that I never experienced. The justification for your comments along with identifying the issues at hand, are incredibly important. Fortunately I have never had to track someone down or even identify a target, however, now i understand the proper and important way of doing it
Great video and very thought provoking! Thanks for what you do. Everybody that shoots needs to be watching these videos, even if it's just to keep the safety reminders, fresh in our minds!
I used to be a cop in a huge city. I’ve had to do building searches many many times, both with and without weapon mounted lights. No weapon mounted light really really sucks. Maybe as a cop I was allowed to temporarily point a loaded gun at some innocent where a regular citizen wouldn’t, I don’t know. But having to open doors and work a radio and move things with my support hand while my primary hand held whatever weapon bearing light was really handy. Thinking of doing everything other than holding my weapon with my support hand makes me thing that hand would be overwhelmed with tasks.
I am also a cop. I definitely had to take this in context. I use my WML every search. If I didn’t it would be task saturation to the point of being dangerous. And the quality of any gunfire I send down range would be hurt . His advice isn’t for professionals tho this is good advice for a home owner.
@@aaroncheney9966 I disagree. As a 27 year veteran cop, and a 22 year veteran firearms instructor, I can tell you that his advice is DEFINITELY for Law Enforcement and civilians alike. You shouldn't be pointing your weapon at everything you look at while searching. Have your weapon in your dominant hand in position Sul, and have your handheld flashlight in your support hand. It takes no time to bring the weapon up to engage or cover a threat when you identify one. Remember that LEO's are held to a much higher standard with regard to accidental shootings than civilians are. We never teach to search with a WML. It's just not how we do it. Stay safe Brother!
For 12 years I showed movies in a Grindhouse and between showings I had to pick up cold cups and butter tubs while the credits were rolling so that I could get upstairs to thread the projector and then run down to tear tickets. So to stuff the trash bag I carried a penlight made of plastic so that I could hold it in my teeth while reaching under seats for all of those empty candy boxes.
@@MrBradPenton I disagree with your statement that LEOs are held to a higher standard. That's what is supposed to happen, but reality rarely reflects that anymore. A police officer gets innocence until proven guilty, as it should be. They have an entire police force and government giving them the benefit of the doubt. To be fair, this idiotic "defund the police" movement often puts an unnecessary target on their back in the public eye, so I can definitely sympathize with that. However that same public scrutiny can destroy the life of a private citizen just as easily due to mindless anti-gun rhetoric. A citizen who shoots a mugger or housebreaker gets one expensive lawyer on their side, that's it. Everyone else tends to assume the worst of their actions until proven otherwise beyond a shadow of a doubt, especially these days when criminals tend to have more rights in the court system than law abiding citizens.
@@herbderbler1585 respectfully, put on a badge and God forbid have an incident where you use deadly force. I can personally attest that was the worst 19 months of my life. I can without any hesitation tell you that LEO’s are held to a higher standard than civilians because of their training. We live in glass houses, but I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. I know of several cases in my career where civilians have used deadly force and the case was simply sent to the grand jury for a no bill. The investigation following a use of deadly force incident in law enforcement, is far more complex. The legal term you were eluding to is qualified immunity. That is under attack at every angle. I know that it can be an unwelcome event in a civilians life, but it’s not the same.
Always educational. Thanks for a brilliant safety lesson.
I could listen to this gentleman for hours. Commons sense, "Dad Humor" , straight talk, decades of experience.
Subscribed, I like how straightforward, to the point and yet educational this video was
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.
Excellent logic. Thanks for the information. I've used one for years but mainly for the laser sight and always in combination with my regular flashlight. I also live alone with no one other than me having legal access to the home so my circumstances are a bit different at this stage of my life, but I'd still never search with only the light on the weapon.
These are all fantastic points and part of the reason I always carry a small handheld light in my pocket as well as a weapon mounted light on my handgun. Fenix PD25R for the pocket light and a Surefire X300 for my pistol.
I mainly carry both as a contingency for the other but also carry a handheld light because I need it more often than not. And obviously pulling out your handgun to find a tool you dropped in the engine compartment of a truck with a bunch of people all around in the shop is a no-go.
I cannot praise enough the benefits of having a pocket light. That, plus a good folding blade and your handgun is essential.
I always suggest having a good pocket light to everyone. I use it almost on the daily
Thank you Mr. Ayoob. You have provided wisdom that other proffessionals I know never even mention.
Thank you, I was unaware of the consequences you brought up in this segment. I sent this to my son as well.
Totally agree with your frame of thought on the use of lights. great video, Sir.
This makes perfect sense. However, I live alone. No one has a key to my home. If someone is in my home, there is a 100% chance that they are there uninvited. I am skipping the secondary light.
As always, great information. Thank you for helping people stay safe.
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.
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.
This makes perfect sense, I had not thought of it this way, thank you for bringing up the topic of weapon mounted light.
Great show. Wonderful advice.
Life saving and safety wisdom. Thank you.
Thank you Massad. As always your videos are excellent.
Glad you like them!
.... 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.
Outstanding advice. Thank you!
Excellent video, thank you. I’ve always used a hand held (and rarely illuminated) high-intensity flashlight. Why:
1. I know my home’s “territory,” but the felon doesn’t; I don’t want to provide any illumination than might help the criminal. Therefore, I’ll activate the light only for a second . . . IF I need to make an identification.
2. I don’t want to reveal my position or my movements.
3. I don’t want to provide the felon with a target; most firing stances place the weapon-mounted light very near your center-line.
strobe effect would disorient
@@hummingbird_saltalamakia
May be disorienting to both the felon and the lawful defender. I’m generally not in favor of fashionable adjuncts; rather, I believe in mastering and executing the long-acknowledged fundamentals with precision and skill.
I’ve said this about weapon mounted lights ever since I first saw one. There are a lot of things you will need to point your light at that you do not want to point your gun at
💯 agree! Never understood this. It’s why I don’t run lights on my guns.
@@OMG_No_Way until you loose the use of a hand to hold that light. Then you're gonna want one on that gun them.
In a cqb situation when you have to switch between right and left hand, it's almost impossible to do it quickly if you're holding a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other. If you're just looking for something, a pocket flashlight will suffice.
Well that's because you can't think of other people who have a different situation and a home defense set up that's different from yours.
Some people have a home that doesn't have kids. Doesn't have anybody else with keys or alarm codes or anything else that will end up with a unexpected person lawfully in their house.
Some people have zero problem legally or morally shining their weapon light and pointing their gun at anything in their house.
Like duh. It's not a search light,. Don't use it as a regular flash light, you're pointing a gun at things. That should be obvious to the majority of the gun community.
It should also be obvious to the gun community that there's definitely people/ situations and use cases for having and using the lights.
PS. I am one of those people that doesn't have to worry about it being some lawful person in the house etc. There IS a light on a home defense pistol. Yet I have NEVER used it. I use my regular flashlight for regular "searching" around the place.
The gun won't even come out of the holster unless there's clearly something that's a real problem. And if it ever does,. I'm glad it has a light on it and whomever or whatever gets gun/ light pointed at it deserved it.
Ok boomer
This is one of the most useful videos I have ever watched. Thanks.
You can flag innocent people by doing any search, even if you don't have a mounted light. This video really just gets across the legal risks one assumes when they grab their weapon.
Usual brilliant lesson thank you sir !
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.
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."
Read one of Massads books like 20+ years ago. Great mind when it comes to firearms. Thanks so much
So much ado about gun tech wizardry, this is so fundamental, yet I suspect sadly a huge number of fans have long forgotten the cardinal rules of firearm safety - if they ever learned them. You NEVER point a weapon at anyone/thing you don't intend to shoot. Practically, the startle reflex might just cause you to pull the trigger, should your beam suddenly sweep onto a cowering human, especially if they jump or, fearing for their life, decide to lunge at you.
A humble reminder, for those obsessed with overtraining that mostly builds a reflex to fire before thought can intervene - the firing of a gun is likely to be the final act in any defensive situation, so treat it that way. Exhaust all your options before committing to this irreversible action: shelter in place, if feasible, anticipate an aggressor's approach, and fire only when their intentions and proximity are made apparent. Never chase, pursue, or go through any area in search of a bad guy, because they will already be waiting for you to expose yourself - unless that noise turns out to be a sleepwalking child or spouse, who you may shoot in the darkness, as you are blind with fear.
I recently bought a flashlight/laser for my carry pistol. I'm glad I caught this video. Thanks.
.. This video's content (of concise but thorough firearm laws education and more than qualified instruction) is one of many reasons why I am your fan and a enthusiastic subscriber! .. I sincerely appreciate your clear insights and years of hands-on skilled experience! Your channel should be REQUIRED VIEWING for any newbie and even seasoned professionals that may have become complacent &/or mentally rusty on many of this channel's video subjects .. Please continue with your excellent content and may you soon hit 1 million subscribers! ...
I don't even need a gun in my country (and we are not able to), but I like this video. He speaks in a calm, composed manner, with logical and well-organized thoughts. He also has a deep and trustworthy voice, good one
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.
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.
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!!
Always Great info.
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
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.
thank you for the video, Wilson Combat.
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....
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
Excellent video! Good food for thought, and sound tactical reasoning.
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.
My solution is to have 2 lights on in the house all the time. They are low power LED’s so they don’t burn much energy, but provide enough light to clear the house in case of a problem. They also tend to discourage burglars because they see a light in the window and think someone is up. This also means I have enough light to do things at night without turning on a light to see.
To my knowledge house burglaries nearly always occur during the day, business hours specifically
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.
As always it's a pleasure listening to your knowledge 💯. Thank you
I think there are a few people in the comments that need to rewatch this video. They misinterpreted what was being said or they just had to inject their 2 cents without watching the entire video. (BC)
Literally everything Mr Ayoob said was 100% correct and factual. If you really wanted to be bored by "contect" then the vid would have been 20 minutes longer. And Mr Ayoob did put enough context in it. However some people don't listen well enough and have to talk over the one actually speaking and teaching because "they know better". Mr Ayoob is no noob, go research his history. This video was mainly pointed at the untrained home owner, a little for the hunters and a sprinkle of LE. The tactical use of lights on firearms has changed over the yrs and hasn't gotten to everyone yet. I'm a firm believer that as it is our right to keep and bear arms, it is our responsibility to also get training from a knowledgeable source that has had actual real world experience. Every instructor and coarse is different. It's up to us to decide if the training is beneficial, appropriate and useful. All Mr Ayoob is doing here is imparting knowledge from decades of experience to the untrained noob, hunters and some LE.
Also, if you use a flashlight, in the event of tracking an armed suspect, hold the flashlight laterally at arms length away from your body as you search. That way given that your light makes your position obvious, if they take a shot at you, they might miss, as apposed to holding the light (or a weapon light) right in front of you, you give them a center-mass target.
Same way I was trained. Also, we were instructed to have a lanyard long enough to make that stretch that you mentioned in your post. When you need to use that hand to manipulate door handles etc, you can simply let go of the light instead of stowing it.
Yes!!!! The fbi didn't teach that maybe now they learned never used a fun mounted light!
@@HDSME A fun mounted light? Is that like a multicolored disco ball that goes on the end of your gun and plays music?
@@elmateo77 for me, I don't really know the answer to that question. However, in a non-life-threatening situation, that would be f****** awesome! 😂😂😂
Your 100% right Phil
Honestly, if you want to really do it right as a 2A person, I don't think there's a better resource out there than this channel. There are many great channels now, but between Mas, Bill, and Ken, you're getting a combined total of nearly two centuries of wisdom from these guys. We are so lucky...
For years I've carried a flashlight as part of my EDC as well as a weapon mounted light.But you never know when you just need a light.You can't pull out your weapon.
Mas, thank you for your super videos. I've enjoyed your books for decades.
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
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.
Thank you for the excellent advice. I had a long discussion with a friend on this topic. He has a gun mounted light and I’ve never been a fan. My argument is this…if in total darkness you are walking around with pistol and light on and the bad guy is sitting in a dark corner with gun , he knows exactly where you are.
Notice that often in movies the FBI, SWAT or Troops use weapon mounted lights or Lasers. Effectively giving away their location and direction of travel.
But what if the person you find isnt a bad guy? How are you identifying them? Verbal commands? Then they still know where you are and you still have no idea of knowing who they are.
If you are using it incorrectly. Its supposed to be a quick flash and then off and move.
Very good advice . I was surprised to hear that . I been carrying my Stinger Flashlight for years. .doing my searches with it . Can always learn something everyday. Thanks .
I think it depends on the situation. If everyone in your household is actually accounted for and it's clear that someone broke into your house, I don't see any problem with a blinding weapon mounted light for identification for home defense. I understand the caution but wouldn't make it an absolute.
Identification is fine. He is advising against using a light for searching.
Aye, that kinda goes into the category of prior intel. If you simply hear a noise and don't know who or what is causing it, searching with a gun light might be a bad idea. However as you said, if you have your whole family accounted for and they've all vouched that they did not invite someone over without telling you, you know there's an entity in your house that isn't authorized to be there. Your next move might be different then.
That being said, the possibility of a panic trigger pull is something to consider. There are many situations where you might catch someone who isn't supposed to be there, but you don't necessarily want/need to shoot them. Perhaps the home intruder is someone you know who is currently making a very stupid mistake but you'd prefer they didn't die for it. No matter how legally justified you were in shooting them, you'd probably feel awful about it for the rest of your life.
It's just another complicated set of decisions you have to make in the moment. If I'm home alone I'm probably willing to give an identified intruder a moment to surrender, whereas if my family is there perhaps I'm more likely to just end the threat upon identification because I am NOT willing to risk the safety of my family for the sake of a burglar. Either way, perhaps Massad has a point that sweeping the house with a loaded gun while your nerves are at Def Con 1 should be treated as an absolute last resort.
@@herbderbler1585 I don't plan to go searching when my family is accounted for. That's dumb. I will post up and blind any intruder with a powerful WML. If they want to step into the light after my warnings, that's their fault and will get shot.
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
As always great information.
Great info, Sir.
Another thing to consider is that YOU know every inch of your house. The intruder does not. This gives you a great advantage in the dark as you can navigate your way around while the intruder is constantly scanning the area to figure out what he is looking at. When you turn on that light, not only can that light illuminate the room, allowing the intruder to see the area just as well as you can, but it also gives your position away by telling him where you're coming from.
Gotta watch out for already illuminated areas such as where night lights are positioned around the house. Maybe take them out in the event if you have the wherewithal?
What if the intruder sold you the house?
So you don't PID?
@@SavageGunFighter21 do you DIP?