Drawing Your Pistol While Seatbelted in a Vehicle: Click It or Ticket?

Have you ever imagined becoming caught up in your seatbelt while in a car or truck in a self-defense situation? Here are some factors to think about while deciding when is the best time to draw your firearm.

Should you draw before removing your seatbelt? Or do you unbuckle your seatbelt and then draw? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Make your selection immediately, before a menace appears at your car door. I intend to give sound advise as a tactical educator, but I occasionally question if I made the proper option in terms of what I teach. My background is insulting in nature. So, what does this imply for a law-abiding individual? I feel that having an attacking mindset allows us to maintain the tide of success flowing in our favor. You're behind the eight ball if you're always on the defense.

Being offensive does not imply stalking the streets of small-­town America with a gun drawn; it does imply being ready for any eventuality that may arise. Being provocative is not only fine, but it should be the sought-­after mindset if you are living a virtuous life.

The way we think about readiness is referred to as "battle mindset." We want to be efficient in our decision-making processes in order to be composed. You say, "Translate." Make as many difficult decisions as you can now, before disaster comes knocking. Making such judgments now will allow you to react quickly and effectively in a life-or-death emergency.

One of the most important decisions you'll have to make is "when" and "if" you'll draw your weapon. This is a decision you should make now, rather than when you're in the middle of an armed confrontation. Allow me to put up a hypothetical situation, and you decide how to respond:
You're a Tennessee citizen driving through downtown Nashville with your wife and children. Unbeknownst to you, an aggressive rally is en route to cross the public road you're on. Your automobile is a perfect match for the type of person they despise. Perhaps you drive a four-­door, four-­wheel-­drive vehicle with an NRA sticker on one of the windows. Maybe you're a Marine, and your front license plate features an eagle, globe, and anchor."When" and "if" you'll draw your gun is one of the most important decisions you'll make. This is a decision you should make now, rather than while you're in the middle of a tense situation. Let me create up a scenario for you, and then you pick how to respond:
You're a Tennessee citizen who's driving through downtown Nashville with your wife and children. Unbeknownst to you, an anti-government gathering is en route to the public road you're on. They despise you because your car fits the profile of the person they despise. Perhaps you have an NRA sticker on the window of your four-­door, four-­wheel-­drive vehicle. Perhaps you're a Marine, and your front license plate features an eagle, globe, and anchor.As you begin to consider your options, you are startled by the sound of a frozen water bottle thudding against your front windshield. Another terrorist moves in from your flank, wielding a tire iron, and you notice activity to your left. You lean slightly to the right as this person raises the tire iron to crack your window. What are your plans for the future? Will you pull out your weapon? Will you draw after the window has been broken? What will you do if they try to remove you and your kids out of the car? As the crowd overruns your vehicle, how would you treat your wife or child's head injury?

Returning to the situation, you've decided to draw your pistol. Now the question is whether you should try to draw first, then remove the seatbelt, or vice versa. There are just two possibilities.
SGM Craig "Chili" Palmer, a fellow instructor and former U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, prefers to loosen the seatbelt first and then draw. I, on the other hand, prefer to buckle up and then let go. We are both correct, because this is a personal decision. You must determine what works best for you. If you're carrying a pistol in such a way that you can't get to it without loosening the seatbelt, you'll need to do it right away.

I carry using an appendix holster, so I don't have to remove my belt before drawing my weapon.

Other Things to Think About

It is critical to be prepared in advance of an incident such as the one mentioned. Step one: Always have a prepared mindset. This is especially vital if you're traveling with your family. We are the protectors of those who are unable to defend themselves, therefore prepare your thoughts.
Following that, I prepare my outfit and holster for such an event. If I'm wearing an overgarment, I make sure it's out of the way of the seat belt and that I can get the pistol by simply lifting the clothing out of the way with my support hand. The same is true if I'm carrying behind my hip.

Allowing your apparel to obstruct your access to the rifle is not a good idea. Make an effort to think about what you're wearing.
Consider how you would draw with one hand as you work through these scenarios. What if someone grabbed your support arm and tried to drag you out of the car? Is it possible to do the same draw with only your support hand? (Another reason I favor appendix carry is that it allows me to use both hands.)
Now it's time to practice! I used a shot timer to prove that getting to the gun before removing the seatbelt was faster. I drew the pistol using each strategy once a threat was identified. I was consistently faster with the draw if I kept the seatbelt fastened.

Remember that I employ appendix carry, therefore your method may have a different step-by-step procedure. If I can get the handgun into the action soon, I should have more time to unbuckle the seatbelt. It's a moot point if it isn't.

Remember that you may need to remove your seatbelt after drawing, so practice putting the belt around your arm and stepping out of the vehicle. I'd look for an alternative strategy if yours entails switching the pistol from hand to hand. Pull the seatbelt around your pistol with the non-firing hand without covering your hand with the pistol.Remove your firing hand from the seatbelt and that's it. If you are left-handed, this will only effect you on the driver's side; if you are right-handed, it will only affect you on the passenger's side. Don't overthink the process and practice your technique.
Only you, and only you, can decide when your life or the lives of those you love are in danger, but consider those options now, while the world around you is still quiet. Don't put off figuring out what you're going to do. Practice and picture what you'll see and how you'll react after you've decided on your plan of action.

Practicing with an airsoft pistol or in dryfire mode inside your garage or driveway will help you grow more comfortable. It's not a good idea to carry out your plan the first time when rioting terrorists are approaching your vehicle.