[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by smc

I think you have perceived only part of the point I was making. Yes, I use my brain to minimize threats, make sensible decisions, and stay away from risky situations. You correctly call that "using your noggin." But I also use it as a weapon. I have used the power of persuasion to win what would have otherwise been a fight involving violence on more than one occasion. (I have little doubt that I would have lost had the threatened violence ensued.)

I call the latter "using your wits."

I understand that. It is always advisable to de-escalate a potentially harmful situation without using physical force. I keep my guns and steel as a last resort; I would never use it as a means to defuse a situation where the outcome could have turned out otherwise had someone been talked down. Of course persuasion and reason is the best way to win a fight and being able to talk someone down is preferable to shooting them. However, the situation dictates the level of force and you will know quickly when a firearm or blade will become absolutely necessary. Diplomacy and verbal persuasion is not always effective against your local crackhead/tweaker, espesially if they have themselves a nifty crowbar or knife and are coming straight for you. In that event, I let John Moses Browning or Gaston Glock do the "persuading" for me. Usually, the sound of racking a weapon is sufficient to let someone you know mean business.

I pray to God that I never have to shoot someone in defense of myself and I hope to God that I never have to live with the burden of taking someones life. I am just prepared for a time when I may be confronted with the options of kill or be killed.