Veteran lawman displays expert gun handling form

Six Shooter Junction – Photos snapped of Sheriff Parnell McNamara at a recent Republican gabfest display the footwork, form and function of an experienced pistol-toter behind the badge.

Seasoned lawmen and pistoleros alike recognize the stance and posture instantly.

Notice that the Sheriff's stance is open – bladed - as the men of his profession call it, feet placed in an oblique position and favoring the gun hand. It's the stance used by Michelangelo in his statue of David contemplating a sling throw at Goliath, the right eye ready to track the path of the projectile.

The right hand is near the holster, trigger finger extended and kept out of the trigger guard until the final commitment to shoot is made.

There is a reason for that. Should an aggressor attempt to disarm the lawman, he could wind up with a finger bent back to the breaking point – thus becoming easily controllable – and losing possession of the firearm.

If and when the firearm is withdrawn from the holster, the feet are in position to take a step back and leave the firearm in the same position, if possible. If not possible, a triggerman can shoot from the hip, in close quarters, with deadly effect.

Coming to a combat stance, the gun hand pushes, the off hand pulls against the gun hand, and the weapon is brought on target at the end of an extended right fist, front sight first, rear sight adjusted, as needed, later.

Naturally, in these pictures, the Sheriff is talking with his closest partner in prosecution of crime, DA Abel Reyna. 

Nevertheless, he is in position to defend himself, his firearm, and take control of the situation.

After 40 years on the job, it's become conditioned in his routine, handgun combat skills proven by the men who live and operate by the gun, knocking on doors, bracing known criminals and facing

down threats from unknown actors acting in perilous ways.

It's a style you won't see in a John Wayne movie, but it's called the Jack Weaver combat stance, and it's taught in the type of defensive handgun courses former Deputy U.S. Marshal Parnell McNamara has been teaching since his retirement from federal service at age 57.