What is Defensive Shooting? How Does It Relate to the Statistically Perfect Gunfight? Why Does it Matter?

Studying statistics and data can help you to choose how and what to train when you are practicing with your firearm. It is the scientific method to see what is the most likely scenario that you would need to defend yourself. 

So what is the typical distance of a gunfight?

Well it depends on whose statistics you look at. If you base your training distance according to the most cited statistic which is the FBI LEOKA study you are looking at 44% of shooting occurring at 0-5 feet and 21% from 6-10 feet which is about 3 yards. 

Here is the study from FBI LEOKA covering statistics from 1994-2003.

Many firearms instructors will say the statistically perfect gunfight is 3 shots at 3 yards in under 3 seconds. Watch here for a video of this from the USCCA:

But, this only looks at law enforcement gunfights. Is that really relevant to the average citizen? After all, LE personnel run towards bad guys while the average citizen will look to run from bad guys.

There is a great meta-analysis on the Lucky Gunner website which gives more insight from several sources including Tom Givens from Rangemaster who has been teaching defensive shooting skills for several decades. He also keeps the only known database of citizens involved in gunfights. Here is the article: The True Distance of a Typical Gunfight

Tom’s statistics show that his students had to shoot defensively from 3-5 yards 87% of the time. You can see the statistics and get more of his commentary on these events from his book Concealed Carry Class.

So, if you go to the range and are always plinking with aimed fire at 10, 15 or 25 yards you may not be ready for a defensive gunfight which is close, quick, and violent. 

Please do NOT go out and copy what you are about to see without first getting training. People have and will continue to shoot themselves negligently without training. That said, a defensive shooting may look something like this:

I offer a class in defensive shooting which is very different from learning pistol fundamentals. This is a more advanced class which is beyond the basics of: “This is a semi-automatic pistol, these are the parts, here are the safety rules for safe gun handling, etc.”

My Defensive Pistol class will introduce you to the violent and fast altercations that occur in a self-defense scenario where deadly force may be needed. We cover safety, skills acquisition, point shooting and practice of those things that are relevant to a defensive shooting for civilians. 

As always I am here to help with your defensive needs and am available to answer questions and guide you in the process. Feel free to shoot me a text or pick up the phone for a chat. I love inquiring minds.