Self-defense

[GREENBACK]

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.

Very good post

It is a martial(deadly) art. Just as a person shouldn't take a couple of basic karate courses and declare themselves ready for hand to hand combat. Neither should a firearm owner shoot at a static target a few times and think they can take on an armed person.

I'm all for a fit mind and body but can tell you from almost two decades of experience that nothing beats a well prepared and trained person with a firearm. Violent Criminals are usually under the influence of some kind of mind altering substance and simply do not respond to things that would deter the average person.

If you choose not to have a firearm that is a personal choice but don't think that you can win a fight with a drug induced, knife wielding psycho with your bare hands or even a ball bat. Remember, you're almost always dealing with someone who's mental state is severely altered (this is a very important point) and they may have no reaction to pain and certainly no fear of the consequences of their actions.

[maat55]

Reguardless of your training with a gun, IMO, you are safer when you have one as an option. It's just like Jack Bauer says: just point and shoot.

Good luck to anyone who is not armed for defense. I've spent years hunting and using an firearm, it does not make me a marksman, but sometimes a miss can be just as effective. When an attacker knows you are armed, it changes his perception of risk.

[GREENBACK]

Reguardless of your training with a gun, IMO, you are safer when you have one as an option. It's just like Jack Bauer says: just point and shoot.

Good luck to anyone who is not armed for defense. I've spent years hunting and using an firearm, it does not make me a marksman, but sometimes a miss can be just as effective. When an attacker knows you are armed, it changes his perception of risk.

maaat55

I know what you're saying and agree to a certain point but Jack Bauer is a fictional character and I love "24" but facing an armed attacker who is not a logical thinking person( almost always!)is very different from how TV presents it. When a person has decided to make an armed attack they are usually past the point of worrying about risk.

When you draw your weapon be preprared to kill. You must have this mindset because a split second of indecision here may be the difference between life and death. Firearms are meant to defend not deter.

It's difficult to explain the incredible adrenalin rush and instinctive thinking that a gunfight or lethal confrontation involves but if you're going to have a firearm for self defense you absolutely should prepare yourself for the most nightmarish scenario you can imagine because that's likely what you'll be dealing with.

[wincrasher]

I don't have anything against guns, but I've never felt the need. I feel a rant coming on though...

Having a gun doesn't instantly make you Dirty Harry with nerves of steel. There are alot of consequences to pulling that trigger - emotionally, physically, legally. Most property crimes are in search of easy money for drugs - so fairly desparate people, but rarely professional criminals. Most crimes are ones of opportunity, so you need to address that in your home.

If I were to choose between a gun and an ADT system, I'd choose the security system. Cost is fairly close - which provides better protection?

You really need to evaluate your risk. As a single, able bodied man in a nice suburban neighborhood, I think my chances of being raped, assaulted or murdered are extremely remote. My risk of being broken into while I'm away during the week may be higher. I think someone breaking in knowing someone is home is very, very low.

I don't think killing is an appropriate response to property crimes anyway. Actually making your home a less attractive target is a better idea - lighting, cutting shrubs back, security system, etc. Killing someone who violates the "sanctity" of your home, just because you can is morally wrong in my book. You'd be OK shooting a friend or family you startled you in the night? What about a neighborhood kid up to some mischief?

Most people are getting freaked out by watching the crime shows and the local news. Watch these carefully. How many times are the crimes perpetrated by people the victims knew? How many property crimes end up as rape or murder? Very few you'll find.

[EEinNJ]

Jack Bauer sleeps with a pillow under his gun.
Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.

Hollywood doesn't show gunfights realistically. Jack is running away from guys who are unloading on him full auto, every bullet misses, then he, one handed, running, shooting behind him, shoots them all dead with a couple of rounds.

In reality, people miss a lot, and getting shot doesn't mean the bad guy falls over dead right away. For us mortals, the best use of guns for self defense is as a deterrent. Nobody wins a gunfight.

[Broken Arrow]

Ah, this reminds me of the good ole days.

I think everyone has a facet of the truth, and if you combine them, then I think we'll see the full picture.

My current home defense plan, for example, does not actually include a firearm. I don't have anything against incorporating firearms for self defense, but to me, a gun is only a tool. My strategy does not center around a particular tool. Rather the tools are centered around my strategy. And right now, I just don't have firearm within my current primary strategy. It's there as a back-up plan right now, though that may change in the future.

To me, the most important aspect of self-defense is the 3 Ps. Preparation, Planning, and Practice. If you do that, you are already 80% effective, with or without a gun.

Separately, I personally don't believe that deterrence is a good policy.... I see it only as a beneficial unintended consequence. If the bad guy runs from the sight or sound of your gun, all the better. But you don't want to bet your safety on it.... Some bad guys really are NOT in their right minds when they decide to victimize you. Plus, not all states legally recognize the use of guns as a deterrence. If you're not careful, it could land you in jail, especially if you discharge your weapon, even for a warning shot.

In terms of strategy, it would be best not to resort to lethal force until it is legally appropriate, and for that matter, as a last resort. However, when lethal force IS introduce, it is best to simply apply it as such.

That said, in practice, the adrenaline dump really does change things. When you're in that moment, everything except for your gross motor skills go straight out the window. And if you don't have any, you're going to simply stand there and freeze.

Um, sorry, but I'm getting distracted by lunch, so... maybe more later, maybe not.

[GREENBACK]

Having a gun doesn't instantly make you Dirty Harry with nerves of steel. There are alot of consequences to pulling that trigger - emotionally, physically, legally. Most property crimes are in search of easy money for drugs - so fairly desparate people, but rarely professional criminals. Most crimes are ones of opportunity, so you need to address that in your home.

You are quite right with this statement but guns are meant to deal with that small percentage of violent criminals that the system keeps re-releasing on us. Shooting a person, whether you're in the right or not, is a long drawn out process that likely will cost lots of money and cause lots of stress.When you pull the trigger you're doing so to save life. Don't shoot someone for trying to steal your lawn furniture. You shoot when there is immediate eminent danger to you or others of death or great bodily harm.

If someone wants to rape you or violently assault you or your loved ones for whatever reason they have made a choice and my choice would be to stop them by any means neccessary including taking their life. Not everyone is prepared to do that and before considering lethal force this is something that you must decide.

[maat55]

maaat55

I know what you're saying and agree to a certain point but Jack Bauer is a fictional character and I love "24" but facing an armed attacker who is not a logical thinking person( almost always!)is very different from how TV presents it. When a person has decided to make an armed attack they are usually past the point of worrying about risk.

When you draw your weapon be preprared to kill. You must have this mindset because a split second of indecision here may be the difference between life and death. Firearms are meant to defend not deter.

It's difficult to explain the incredible adrenalin rush and instinctive thinking that a gunfight or lethal confrontation involves but if you're going to have a firearm for self defense you absolutely should prepare yourself for the most nightmarish scenario you can imagine because that's likely what you'll be dealing with.

I did not say I would try to miss. In many cases, armed robbers do not want firearm comfrontation. When they know they do not have the upper hand. they will usually flee. If they do not, I would rather have an equal option for survival.

I look at the most nightmarish scenario as being confronted with a weopon and not having one myself. IMO, armed breakins are limited due to the fact that many homeowners are armed.

[GREENBACK]

I did not say I would try to miss. In many cases, armed robbers do not want firearm comfrontation. When they know they do not have the upper hand. they will usually flee. If they do not, I would rather have an equal option for survival.

I look at the most nightmarish scenario as being confronted with a weopon and not having one myself. IMO, armed breakins are limited due to the fact that many homeowners are armed.

You're right that no robber wants an armed confrontation but I've seen people so jacked up on meth or pcp that they will do about anything that they wouldn't normally consider. My point with guns is that if you carry one or keep one in the house for self defense be prepared mentally and physically to use lethal force.

Australia and Great Britain certainly learned what a mistake it was to disarm the citizenry. Home invasions skyrockected. Oh yes, forgot to include South Africa. I agree that it is a deterrent but should you have one you must absolutely be willing to use it.

[maat55]

You're right that no robber wants an armed confrontation but I've seen people so jacked up on meth or pcp that they will do about anything that they wouldn't normally consider. My point with guns is that if you carry one or keep one in the house for self defense be prepared mentally and physically to use lethal force.

Australia and Great Britain certainly learned what a mistake it was to disarm the citizenry. Home invasions skyrockected. Oh yes, forgot to include South Africa. I agree that it is a deterrent but should you have one you must absolutely be willing to use it.

I fully agree.