Can a Knife Beat a Gun? The Truth About the 21 Foot Rule

  •  08/21/2025 05:19 AM

When it comes to self defence, many people assume that a firearm gives them an overwhelming advantage against an attacker armed with a knife. Films and television often reinforce this idea: if you have a gun and your attacker has a blade, you win. But reality is not that simple. In fact, research and training in law enforcement circles has shown that a knife wielding attacker can be just as dangerous, if not more so, within certain distances.