Self-defense

[kork13]

Kork
I won't neccesarily accuse you of being"medieval" but when Ancient armies discovered projectile weapons, particularly those employing gunpowder, you can guess which side gained a decided advantage.

I think it was stated several posts ago"don't bring a knife to a gunfight". The only thing worse to bring to a gunfight is a stick(baseball bat, club,etc.). If a knife or sword or whatever bladed instrument was most effective the police and the military would be using them instead of the firearms they trust as their primary weapons.

If you're comfortable with a knife then go with it but don't take on someone with a gun unless you're a ninja. Then again, they were defeated by guns too.

It's a question of range. If you're 5-10m or more away from the person, yea, projectile weapons are easily more effective. I don't know about others, but I don't have wide open spaces like that... I walk out of my room and i'm 10 feet from my front door. In such cases, a knife/blade seems just as effective, and also less dangerous for others who might be around (like in surrounding apartments). Stray bullets can go through walls. A knife, even if thrown, will stop when it hits a wall or the floor. What's more, it is better controlled than a bullet that can be accidentally fired with a single twitch of the finger (whether intentional or otherwise). So in a home-protection situation, I would personally prefer a bat, a blade, or something similar.

But you're right. Against someone wielding a gun, the only thing you can do is be passive. If trained in unarmed combat, you could try to disarm, but again, there are no guarantees there.


BA, do I understand it correctly that if someone breaks into your home, you cannot threaten harm, draw a gun or other weapon, or anything like that unless there is a threat of death to you? That's absurd. To draw a weapon is a threat. When your home is broken into, isn't there an implied right to protect yourself, your family, and your property? The guy is trespassing if nothing else, and threats can be used. Yes, to actually fire or cause physical injury is a different story. Without implied threat of death or grievous harm, even police, military, and federal agents are not allowed to fire. However, in circumstances of ensuring security or safety (as is the case with a break in), weapons may be drawn and threats may be given. And if this is not the case, well, fine. I'll face the consequences when my attacker sues me for threatening him while he's breaking into my home.

As for the psychological element, you're right. It is difficult. However, it's also true that once a person realizes the need for close combat, adrenaline goes crazy and the fight/flight mechanism sets in. You have to either fight to whatever end, or figure out a way to escape. When the latter is not an option, the former will set in. That's human nature. (the other case, a person may freeze up entirely, which really is about as dangerous as doing nothing at all, so it's a wash anyway)

[Broken Arrow]

I think it was stated several posts ago"don't bring a knife to a gunfight".

Ah, the good ole "Don't bring X to a Y fight". Elsewhere in the internet-land, I try so darn hard not to get drawn into that, because in the end, it just depends on the situation.

In the case of a burglary, where everything is indoors, close quarter weaponry such as knives are actually extremely effective. In the right hands. In some ways perhaps more so than firearms. They don't require loading. They don't require ammo. No issues of over-penetration. The list can go on and on.

This subject, long mused, analyzed, and debated, have eventually come to the consensus by groups much more experienced and skilled than I am, and it's what I have stated earlier: Skill trumps tools.

BA, do I understand it correctly that if someone breaks into your home, you cannot threaten harm, draw a gun or other weapon, or anything like that unless there is a threat of death to you? That's absurd.

Heh. Yeah, I've heard of that rebuttal before. I'm not saying it has to make sense to both you and I. But that doesn't mean it isn't the law.

Fortunately, laws surrounding the circumstances of self defense varies from state to state. Texas? Most likely legal. Massachusetts? Most likely not. It just depends, so again, I urge everyone who wants to take self defense seriously to be up-to-date on their state laws.

To draw a weapon is a threat. When your home is broken into, isn't there an implied right to protect yourself, your family, and your property?

No... you can't imply that. Not unless you can clearly articulate the threat of serious bodily harm or death clearly based on the events and circumstances that follow. For example, a burglar going after your TV isn't the same as a burglar going after you or your loved ones.

When it comes to serious situations such as this, be prepared for anything, but don't assume anything. I might sound overly dramatic, but it really can spell the difference between life or death, freedom or prison. This isn't the same level as losing money in our 401k.

That said, I'm not a lawyer and don't even pretend to be one in your state. So, again, please check with credible sources and your state law for further guidance.

As for the psychological element, you're right. It is difficult. However, it's also true that once a person realizes the need for close combat, adrenaline goes crazy and the fight/flight mechanism sets in. You have to either fight to whatever end, or figure out a way to escape. When the latter is not an option, the former will set in. That's human nature. (the other case, a person may freeze up entirely, which really is about as dangerous as doing nothing at all, so it's a wash anyway)

Well, yes, I'd agree. However, as we sit comfortably in front of our computers, ruminating the possible scenarios that may occur, it's... pretty easy to discern how things should work out....

In an actual fight or flight though, those who are not properly prepared and trained mostly just freeze up. This may even include some who have supposedly trained for years in self-defense (because they didn't train properly for it).

Yeah, ultimately, we all do what we have to do. However, it's funny how some people, when they finally face that white elephant, up close and in the flesh, what we often end up doing is far from the results we hope for. Many just end up in the hospital with a lot of gashes on their forearm and torso because they simply find themselves frozen and balled up in the instinctive defensive posture. Is that what they wanted to do or have even trained for? No, but that's reality.

For anyone who is serious about self defense, the real question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are you prepared to risk your life to fight? Are you prepared to get beat, get cut, and slowly bleed to death for what you are fighting for?

Now, I'm not asking, "Do you want to?" Nobody wants to get hurt. I'm asking, "Are you prepared to ante up to that level of risk to yourself?" Because, that's what we risk in real life lethal encounters, whether we realize it or not.

If not, that's OK. It means you're a rational individual like most of the rest of society. That's also why it's universally recommended to avoid a fight if it can at all be helped. Actually, even highly skilled individuals go out of their way to avoid fights if they can help it.

However, being prepared to hurt someone isn't the same thing as being prepared to get hurt. Most people can somehow get past the first part, but few are actually capable of handling the second. And that's why even some supposedly trained individuals end up freezing. That's the life and death difference.

However, if you ARE willing to sacrifice yourself that way. If you ARE willing to get hurt and die for what you believe in. Well, then....

[GREENBACK]

My state recently passed a law called the "Castle Doctrine". It essentially states that if you cause harm (shoot) an intruder in your place of habitation (this may be temporary or permamnent) It is now up to the prosecution to prove that you did not act in self defense. Incredibly, it was the reverse of this prior to September 08. It used to be that you basically had to prove you were acting in self defense.

So much for "innocent until proven guilty".

As for close quarter encounters, you can't predict anything. The situation dictates your actions. A person that enters your home with no weapons but grabs a broom and come at you with it. Is he carrying a deadly weapon? Are you willing to shoot that person? you have a split second to decide this. The courts have months/years to decide your fate. Can you articulate that this now dead person was filled with rage and if he hit you with the broom he would have taken your knife or gun and killed you with it.

The fight or flight scenario works in a perfect world but it may come down to fight/fight.

So much of what we see in the media and on unreality tv makes things look cut and dried. In the real world it's not like that. You may come away from an encounter cut, beaten, bleeding or dead. The goal is to overcome the situation and survive no matter what.

[Broken Arrow]

The goal is to overcome the situation and survive no matter what.

Amen.

[tripods68]

I do believe in self-defense but not with a gun.

[GREENBACK]

tripods68
I fully understand your position and won't begin to try to persuade you otherwise.

It's important that everyone knows who they are mentally and physically. It's also important to know what you're capable of and what you're not capable of. Only we as individuals can determine this.

[Snave]

Someone I know brought up a good point the other day that I never thought of when it comes to security systems, etc... She read/heard somewhere to keep an extra car remote on/in your nightstand. The last thing someone wants is a lot of noise and to ptentially wake your neighbors. I thought this would be smart for someone who does not have a security system. Just check that from your bedroom, your remote could work.

[lemarquis]

I think it is a good idea as long as you learn as much as you can about safe gun ownership. Having the ability to own a gun to protect your family is a right. Just make sure that you don't do any harm to your family by introducing a gun into your household without everyone learning about it's responsible use.

[destiny10]

protection is better than cure. go 'head get the gun.

[sandyandry]

If you really want to have a gun for self defense then go for it. And it is better if you take lessons for that. Good luck

_________________
Budget management

[donjoaoresort]

Hello

Is it necessary to keep a gun for self defence? Why not somethingelse that does'nt take the life & also helps to defend your self



John
Don Joao Resort

[goldentraders]

It's very personal decision i guess, 'coz Bruce Lee a great Martial Artist Had no use of his martial techniques when he was killed(Maybe he should brought a gun instead...) However, There are rumors ranged from murder to drug overdose. None of which were true... Still, i believe Gun can't really save me... But a prayer would do... And so what if i get killed, at least my soul is safe...

I'm seriously thinking about getting a hand gun for home and self-defense. What do you guys think? I must admit I was very leery about guns for obvious reasons. However, after learning how to fire one I think its a smart thing to have as long as you're responsible with it. I plan on taking gun lessons. My friend was a home invasion victim at gunpoint!!! Luckily he and his family were ok but he now has a 9mm hand gun. What do you guys think?

[Well Spent]

I would not get a gun. You should exercise to make yourself fitter and stronger. Your body is your best weapon. That way if you are attacked in your home or the mall parking garage, you always have your weapon with you.

I recommend martial arts training, weight, yoga, and running (sprints and long distance).

[EEinNJ]

I would not get a gun. You should exercise to make yourself fitter and stronger. Your body is your best weapon. That way if you are attacked in your home or the mall parking garage, you always have your weapon with you.

I recommend martial arts training, weight, yoga, and running (sprints and long distance).

Bad advice. I've trained in martial arts over 25 years. I never learned how to be bullet proof. Against a knife, even if you are good you will almost certainly get cut or worse. If you invest several years in hardcore MMA training (not a storefront TaeKwonDo school) you'll be able to protect yourself to a point, at least one on one.

The mistake would-be gun buyers make is to think they can just buy a gun, stick it in a drawer or holster, and then be secure. Use of firearms is a martial art itself. Accurate shooting takes practice, and being mentally prepared is just as important.

[Well Spent]

You're right that being fit and strong doesn't make you bulletproof, but I don't want to own a gun because i don't want to be responsible for ending another person's life even if s/he is a thief, rapist or murderer. I don't want that on my conscience. Besides I live in the slums and see firsthand the result of violence. I've also known people who have had weapons turned on them and used against them. Also people who have bee attacked by thieves out in the town when their gun was at home so it was of no use to them. I'd rather have the confidence and skill to defend myself. You have to be strong to defend yourself against rape. It's more likely to happen away from home, and if a rapist attacks you in your home, it may be while you're sleeping and don't have access to your gun anyway. But you always carry your muscles.