What is one essential guideline when encountering a subject with a handgun?

The essential guideline when encountering a subject with a handgun is to prioritize your safety and that of others. Moving your body out of the way is a crucial tactic to minimize the risk of being hit by gunfire. This action increases your chances of avoiding a dangerous situation and gives you the opportunity to reassess your surroundings and the subject's actions.

Engaging directly with the subject immediately could result in unnecessary escalation or harm, especially if you are unprepared or outnumbered. Calling for backup is certainly a wise move in potentially dangerous encounters, but it can take time for assistance to arrive, and immediate movement to safety is often more critical. Drawing your weapon first can also escalate the situation and may provoke an aggressive response from the subject. Therefore, the most immediate and effective action is to create distance between yourself and the threat, prioritizing safety above all.