During my full course for initial CCW (14 hour holster class), I have each student perform the Tueller Drill. Since my class size is limited to no more than 4 students, I take the time for this vital training during the full 14 hour holster course. California law requires a 12 hour course of instruction.
The Sheriff has advised (in a prior meeting with all county wide CCW instructors) that CCW holders were drawing their firearms “too soon”.
In my view, merely discussing the Tueller / Reactionary Gap Drill is not sufficient. Students need to actually conduct the physical drill in an effort to bridge the gap which exists between a mental thought process and the physical world.
One must also recognize that the Tueller Drill is most likely the best possible situation you will be in. It only gets worse! During the Drill, the student is expecting the “attack” and the “attacker”, during live fire drill, is observing the student and making sure he doesn’t trip. In the real world, the attacker will be hitting you like a steamroller, and you will not be expecting the attack. You may experience a denial response during which you find yourself questioning whether the attack is really even happening. Further, a determined adversary may continue to stab or bludgeon you even after you have shot him in vital organs which “should have stopped him”.
This exercise not only helps students recognize when they should or should not draw their firearm (which is a different standard than when you should fire the shot), but also the critical importance of the Color Code of Mental Awareness. It also brings into focus other training factors, such as: moving off of the line of attack, recognizing pre-attack indicators, the importance of on body carry, the importance of a good / proper holster, positioning of the firearm on your body, etc… .
The drill also brings into focus that your attacker is in fact closing distance. Thus, your method of drawing and deploying your firearm must take that into account. It may be that the attacker is in full body contact with you by the time your firearm is out. Have you practiced for a body contact shot with weapon retention? Or, did you go full extension and “hand the gun” to the attacker as he closed on you? Or, as you draw the firearm is it pointing at the ground – so firing a shot will not even hit the attacker when he is 1 foot in front of you? Are you blocking the knife with your “off hand”?
Also, a range record may be useful for your Attorney to use in explaining your training, and showing why you drew your firearm when you did.
My range record sheet has changed over the years. Attached is the current copy HERE