Prepare to defend yourself!

About a year ago I took forty something years of experience with firearms to my first ever in-depth training on pistol shooting.  In one of my previous blogs, “Shooting and Being Shot” I touched on that first trip to the shooting range in Victoria.  I’ve now spent five weekends in Victoria at the shooting range in the past year:  Three for training in defensive pistol with Arrowhead Firearms Training and two for defensive urban rifle.

This last trip I learned the Farnam Method of Defensive Rifle, from a wonderful, humorous, and arguably one of the most experienced trainers in the world, John Farnam of DTI, Inc.

After a three hour informative lecture and two days of intense Urban Combat Rifle training I came home with a GREAT appreciation for the practical use of a tactical carbine rifle and a new set of skills that compliment my defensive pistol training.

John sends out emails to his students, sort of a “mini-blog” that are very well written and very interesting.  The following is clip from a recent email:

14 Mar 12

Comments from a reconstructive investigator and friend:

"My work in reconstructing domestic shooting (non-accident) events has lead me to these conclusions:

1) VCAs (Violent Criminal Actors) who ply their trade with the expectation of encountering a significant 'fight' represent a minuscule minority.  The vast majority are simply looking for an easy score with minimal exposer to risk.

2) When substantial resistance, particularly gunfire, emanates from an unexpected source (the intended victim), nearly all VCAs voluntarily disengage, immediately, and run away, having no interest in any kind  of 'fight.'

3) VCAs who do not immediately disengage upon encountering substantial resistance, and, in fact, close with you while under fire, are unbalanced, or are willing to make 'the wager.'  They are willing to risk life and limb for a chance to murder you.  At that moment, you will call his bluff, or not!

4) The best evidence that a person is fundamentally unwilling to employ lethal force in calling such bluffs is his self-deceptive belief in a talisman.  He will try to convince himself that, by sole virtue of the fact that he is carrying a particular gun or ammunition, he will merely have to waive it in the face of evil spirits to make them go away.  Such talismen take many forms, and the naive commonly carry several.  They are 'safe' only so long as their theory remains untested!

My summary of the four conclusions above:

1)   Bad guys look for the weakest and easiest targets and avoid those who appear otherwise.

2)   If a bad guy mistakenly chooses a victim trained in self defense who is prepared – he will run away.

3)   If he is a gambler, he may try to assault, rob, rape, or murder you anyway.  The victim has to make a choice to give up or use his or her skills to survive.

4)   Just because the victim has a weapon, (gun, knife, martial art, etc), and he or she shows it to the bad guy, doesn’t mean the bad guy will run away.  The victim MUST be prepared to use it.

My attitude towards gun ownership for defensive purposes has changed drastically over the past year.  I often have friends to decide they should get a gun for protection.  My advice now is to attend a intro to handguns class somewhere.  Borrow a gun, or use a “range” gun from the trainer if one is available.  At any given class there will be a variety of guns show up that one can try out, hold, and hear the pros and cons of each from the instructor.  Then at the end of the class a person can make a choice on which gun to buy, or to not buy a gun at all.  Owning a gun is a HUGE responsibility that some people probably shouldn’t take upon themselves.

If and when the decision to purchase a gun is made, it is up to the purchaser to learn how to safely handle, shoot, clean, and store the gun.  I suggest the new gun owner take as many classes as possible.  Learn how the gun works.  Learn how to clear jams (stoppages).  Learn about ammunition, cleaning, legal responsibilities, how to deal with the police, and how to keep ones self out of situations where actually having to use the gun is necessary.

Looking back at the second conclusion in the quoted lines above, a person would be wise to be prepared.

At the very least, be prepared in that situations are thought through in advance.  “What would I do if I was getting gas at night and a stranger approached me?”

Be prepared by being aware of your surroundings.

Be prepared with the confidence of knowing that whatever “weapon” you have, that you can get to it, that you are able to use it physically, and that you are able to use it mentally.