Which description corresponds to Type IV handgun retention?

• A. Pressing down on the slide with the palm
• B. Gripping 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: (D)

Type IV handgun retention relies on using the holster and your body as leverage to prevent a draw when someone has grabbed the weapon or is trying to get past the holster. Grabbing the bottom of the holster and pulling up into your ribs creates a strong, controlled resistance against the attacker's hand. The holster acts as a structural anchor, and pulling upward toward your torso adds a degree of pressure that helps keep the gun seated and limits the attacker’s ability to yank it free. This approach emphasizes control of the holster and body positioning to maintain safety and allow you time to recover or disengage.

The other described actions focus more on manipulating the firearm itself or on a drawing/retention method that doesn’t leverage the holster and torso the same way. Pressing on the slide or trying to twist and draw the weapon can inadvertently loosen the weapon’s securement or aren’t aimed at defeating a holster-grab scenario, whereas pulling up on the holster into the ribs directly targets the retention goal of Type IV.