Self Defense

[Rachel]

SSTs are a saboted .50 cal slug The double barrel is very light and balanced. Double trigger can fire either barrel first so you can have a choice of a first shot load. 2 quick shots. If I'm hunting South Jersey it's much brushier I bring the short double. If the terrain is more open I opt for the slug gun.

[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Rachel

SSTs are a saboted .50 cal slug The double barrel is very light and balanced. Double trigger can fire either barrel first so you can have a choice of a first shot load. 2 quick shots. If I'm hunting South Jersey it's much brushier I bring the short double. If the terrain is more open I opt for the slug gun.

Cool!

[WudLuv2try]

A thing about 'Self Defence'

Guns... knives...

Are you REALLY going to blow his brains out?

Stab him in the guts?

AVOIDING is the best.

Don't get in fights in the first place.

There is no shame in running away.

[Rachel]

Run run run away live to run another day? Run where? Away from home? Running may be an option if you are a track star. If not...

[rpm]

I am licensed to carry a concealed firearm and have a few different guns to carry depending on what I will be doing or how I'm dressed. I normally carry a 9mm but also have a snub nosed .38 and a smaller .380 auto.

For the home, I am fully prepared. I have a 12 gauge shotgun, an AR-15 and an AK-47. If someone ever breaches the security of my home at night with the intent to cause harm, that will be the last mistake they ever make.

For those in this thread talking about backing away or getting out of a situation, sure, that is the best way to do it if at all possible but you will not always be able to do so. I have a 9 year old daughter to protect and I will do so at any cost...and yes, I am fully prepared (mentally and physically) to shoot someone if I have to in order to protect myself or my little girl. It's not something I want to do but I know it's possible that there may not be a choice.

[WudLuv2try]

Often I find myself 'LOOKING FOR TROUBLE'.

Instead of looking for safe way out, I look for trouble.

But I shouldn't do that. Instead, I should tell myself,

It's OK to just back off. Let it go.

[Mel Asher]

Originally Posted by WudLuv2try

Often I find myself 'LOOKING FOR TROUBLE'.

Instead of looking for safe way out, I look for trouble.

But I shouldn't do that. Instead, I should tell myself,

It's OK to just back off. Let it go.

The real enemy is FEAR. This causes us to over-react, to go weak at the knees, become paralysed with indecision, to crap ourselves etc. when faced with what we perceive as a threatening situation. The legal position on using force as a response varies considerably from country to country, and it is not always possible to argue successfully that one's own violent response was either appropriate or reasonable. With such a possibility it is essential to control the Fight or Flight reaction to be able to respond cooly and objectively. As has already been pointed out, Walking Away from aggression is best if it can be achieved without provoking further aggression and you're not already placed in a no-place-to-turn position.

Self Control is extremely difficult in situations of extreme danger. To reach this level of Zen a number of Martial Arts do offer a way. It seems a contradition in terms for a Martial Art to claim to be primarily defensive, but this is indeed the case with one or two. Classical Aikido is a case in point where an Advanced Practitioner would consider it a retrograde step to use more force than was necessary to achieve neutalisation of an adversary. Almost every class I have ever attended ( and I have lost count of how many ) every Instructor has always pointed out that Walking Away is the hardest thing that anyone can do, even for the most advanced practitioner.
And in situations that you cannot avoid ? The system of training allows you to remain calm and respond / think swiftly and to make the right choice, even if it has to be a violent one ( for ' violent ' read also ' passive ' ) A couple of Karate schools promote similar ideas.

And how long does it take ? Basic competency 2 to 3 years. Near total self-confidence a lot longer.

Add to this a course or two on Accepting and Managing Directed Anger, and you will feel real good about yourself, and equally aware that you don't know it all !

Meantime, other precautions are common sense. Minimum money and no credit cards in wallet, avoidance of dark places etc. The list goes on.

I also rely on an extensive a vile collection of insults, aggression and smarm. And it is surprising how effective a touch of ' Black Humour ' can be.

I agree. Fear stalks our streets in places unsavoury, so by all means be prepared.

[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by WudLuv2try

A thing about 'Self Defence'

Guns... knives...

Are you REALLY going to blow his brains out?

Stab him in the guts?

AVOIDING is the best.

Don't get in fights in the first place.

There is no shame in running away.

You fail to notice such things as home invasions where they have brought the fight to you. I pretty much guarantee you that anyone who has a CCW or home defense weapon is not going out picking fights.