Self Defense

[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.

[Rachel]

He bravely ran away He bravely ran away. When danger reared it's ugly head he turned his tail and bravely fled Brave, brave Sir Robin

[Mel Asher]

Originally Posted by Rachel

He bravely ran away He bravely ran away. When danger reared it's ugly head he turned his tail and bravely fled Brave, brave Sir Robin

Brits now seem noted for their cynicism, so indeed the popularity of that intrepid band of burlesque Brits Monty Python. But how does a cynic respond to very-real threat ? Not very commendably or bravely, I would imagine. But bravery comes in various guises, which was perhaps the theme behind my earlier post. It takes a peculiar sort of bravery to walk away from a threat ( if indeed any opening is available ), when the instinct is to kick, punch, stab or shoot one's way out of trouble.

That said, this thread seems to be mainly about Gun enthusiasts promoting the benefits and / or enjoyment of using guns. The reality is that complete reliance upon only one such a set of skills, instaed of having a menu of skills upon which to draw, might offer security only from an extreme emergency situation, not from the problems which might develop from precipitous action.
I feel that concentrating exclusively on firearms solutions is rather too far removed from the thread originator's first post.

Meantime I will withdraw and hide trembling in my dojo, leaving my rusting rifle at home !

Enjoy the club.

[randolph]

Is it better to be a live coward or dead hero?

[Mel Asher]

Originally Posted by randolph

Is it better to be a live coward or dead hero?

Are those the only permissible combinations ? Dead Coward seems quite likely too - how likely, depends on how resourceful. Live Hero would by definition be pretty resourceful. It would mean he beat the odds and got accolades for it too. It all depends on how you choose to stack the deck !

[The Conquistador]

This is my backup weapon should my rifle poop out on me; 3 feet of hard wood in the form of a riot baton. AKA: Hippie shampoo (works best when applied to head)

[WudLuv2try]

Originally Posted by Mel Asher

Are those the only permissible combinations ? Dead Coward seems quite likely too - how likely, depends on how resourceful. Live Hero would by definition be pretty resourceful. It would mean he beat the odds and got accolades for it too. It all depends on how you choose to stack the deck !

Amen.

I think you know what you're talking about.

[Be_my_nude]

This seems to be a very macho thread, but I suppose it's to be expected with all you testosterone-loaded guys doing a centre-stage. I think it's all about a state of mind. Like sexual assault, the weakest and seeming-weakest are most likely to be the first to be attacked. This doesn't mean that I should walk around with a bowie knife strapped to my hip. It means that if my body-language is confident and self-assured, a would-be assailant is more likely to move on and pick on someone else. This does not mean I do not carry a surprise with me in case of being cornered. I certainly will if I go into parts of a city which I do not know very well. But I usually check carefully so as not to drift into danger unprepared. So far I've only run into trouble once, and I think he was more scared than I was !

[Tread]

Originally Posted by TheAngryPostman

If that were true, more troops would use a pistol for clearing rooms instead of a shotgun. In CQB, the shotgun is king. Pistols are generally used in areas where it is not practical to to have a larger weapon (i.e. concealed carry purposes, inside a vehicle etc) or is used as a way to fight your way to a more powerful weapon.

I don't think the shotgun is king in CQB. It depends on the situation. I think submachine guns are more flexible and more often used by special units in CQB. But that has not much to do with home defence.

Originally Posted by TheAngryPostman

True, but you forget that 1 shell of 000 buckshot contains 10 pellets roughly 9mm in diameter. That means 1 shell of 12 gauge 000 buck has the same capacity as 1 magazine of 9mm Parabellum. You will have more hits on target vs. rounds fired with a shotgun than a pistol.

... ...
Handguns take considerable amount training to hit something accurately compared to a shotgun or rifle. Pistols have less stopping power unless you are comparing the ammo to birdshot which does not penetrate deep and has a large spread. The spread of the shot can be changed by the amount of choke the shotgun has; the tighter the choke, the tighter your spread will be. At longer distances even with the spread, more pellets of buck will hit a target vs. pistol rounds. If I remember correctly (which I don't) the spread after 20 ft. begins to open up 1 inch every 6ft-10ft depending on the load and choke.

If you are firing slugs from a shotgun, they will reach out and touch someone accurately at 100+ meters(Accuracy tapers off at around 125-150 meters.) which is alot greater than the pistols 25-50 meter range.

Again, it all depends on operator preference. Someone may not like the size of a shotgun and choose a pistol, another person may not hit accurately with a pistol but can hit better with a shotgun or a carbine. It all depends on what you are comfortable with. If you are comfortable with a pistol, get a pistol. If you are comfortable with a shotgun, get a shotgun and so on and so forth.

If you miss one time, 10 pellets miss, or 10 pellets can't focus on more than one target. There is still a capacity advantage. 1 buckshot has not the same energy than a magazine 9mm.
It can't be much more difficult to hit a human sized target with a pistol than a shotgun at max. Room distances.
In a defence situation you don't know how much attack, for a quick reaction at a close combat I see more advantages for a pistol than a shotgun, plus it can be carried for self defence if it is allowed (I still think a gun is not a good solution).

My question still is why some have a gun, and buy a shotgun or rifle extra for home defence (not collecting or sport).