Which description corresponds to Type III handgun retention?

• A. Pressing down on the slide with the palm
• B. Grip as drawing and twisting toward body
• C. A fist on the belly button, elbow on weapon and press down on the slide
• D. Grabbing bottom of holster and pulling up into ribs

Answer: (C)

Type III handgun retention relies on actively controlling the firearm with your body to create a tight barrier that a attacker cannot easily overcome. In this description, placing a fist at the centerline (belly button) gives you a strong anchor point, while the elbow bracing on the weapon presses downward. This creates a wedge that pins the gun against your body and limits the attacker’s leverage. Pressing down on the slide adds a further obstacle by preventing the action from being manipulated, so the weapon cannot be cycled or drawn more easily. This combination is what makes this approach effective for Type III retention.

Other options describe partial motions that don’t establish the same level of control: pressing the slide with the palm alone doesn’t create the same anchored barrier; drawing and twisting toward the body is about retrieval, not retaining against a grab; and grabbing the bottom of the holster and pulling up focuses on holster control rather than actively retaining the weapon against an assailant.