The Self Defense Gun-What is it?
Before reading on I’d like to point out this article is more about authenticity vs. any other agenda. I say this because I get the opportunity to hear about the mythical “self defense gun” that will protect the slowest, tiniest person against the most vicious threat.
Practical Use of Personal Self Defense Weapons
1st of all I would like to say, that I own firearms. I would also like to say I have a state issued CCW permit, which means I can conceal carry legally. I am fully aware that when a threat is obvious that a firearm might mean the difference between life and death.
Here is what Gets Me About the Self Defense Gun Argument
I am not saying it is not a right. It is.
A right that can be modified based on any number of factors. But that is not the part that bothers me.
The part that bothers me is people who FEEL as if they have to even justify having the firearm at all!
You don’t.
As long as the laws remain the way the way the remain, you do not have to justify owning firearms.
Do You Want to Know What Else Gets Me?
Good, I knew you would.
The other part that is comical is watching those that DO try to justify their position but fail miserably without even knowing it.
I have seen people say things like:
- I need this to protect myself
- The Firearm helps me defend my family
- What if we are invaded by a foreign power
- How about if our Government turns on us
Those are all terrible arguments. Each and every one, for most people.
Can You Really Defend Yourself?
Lets be real for a second. We have seen 300-400 lb people act as if the difference between their life and death is their weapon.
Seriously?
That next Big Mac might do more damage to them than any gang in LA could ever do!
What about if they had to run up a flight of stairs to get the weapon?
Your weapon does not do you nor your family any good if you have a massive heart attack trying to get it.
When was the last time you laced up a pair of running shoes?
But I am serious about defending myself they say!
Can You Fight Off Someone to Get to Your Weapon?
Unless you are in the military, is some sort of security detail or a Law Enforcement Officer, you probably don’t walk around all hours of the day figuring somebody might shoot at you. If you do, you probably will either end up institutionalized or maybe have that coronary we spoke about.
For the rest of us normal folks, leading normal lives there is a difference. If something happens it is either going to be spontaneous, a result of poor judgement or simply a surprise.
I will give you examples.
Spontaneous Self Defense
Spontaneous self defense can be a surprise but to me, its not usually a total surprise. An example of spontaneous self defense might be the guy that bumped your shoulder as you walked by. He might be the jerk that is leaning in and talking to your lady in an inappropriate manner. He also might be the guy that gives you the finger at the red light.
If you cannot manage your temper or emotion how is it that you can be considered a reasonable person to even own a weapon?
Being a hot tempered person is not something we want of any citizen. Let alone one that can suddenly unload several rounds into another human being.
People that cannot manage their emotions, they too say they are serious about self defense.
Keep reading, this gets better!
Poor Judgement
Poor Judgement often overlaps with some of the others. The guy that flipped you off at the red light? Now you are mad and want to get out of the car.
You go looking for some illicit substance somewhere. Guess what? No matter your thoughts on weed, cocaine or any other drug, at this moment it is still illegal in most places. If you end up in an area where people doing illegal things are working, and you know it, you have bad judgement.
If you have bad judgement, why should you have a weapon?
But I’m serious about protecting my family, they often say!
You Have Been Surprised
This one is the worst one. It is also my favorite.
When I say surprise I mean to say you are not mad at anyone. You haven’t used poor judgement. The “moment” did not get to you.
This is truly a self defense situation.
- You are grabbed from behind, can you break the hold before you are taken down?
- You are asleep in your bed and suddenly you wake up and 235lb man is sitting on your chest, can you escape?
- Someone sucker punches you. Can you recover and stay on your feet?
- Do you know what a sprawl is?
- Any idea how to break an arm, leg, neck or choke someone out if they are in between your legs?
- Do you have any idea how to get your attacker between your legs?
- Any idea why it is a GOOD idea to have your attacker between your legs?
- You are pinned, your arms is 3 feet long and your gun is 3 feet and 2 inches away…. Responsibly stored of course in a safe. Can you get to it? Do you have time?
You cannot defend yourself in any way shape or form without your weapon. But you are serious about protecting yourself and others?
This Ain’t The Old West
Meet me at the watchtower at high noon!
That’s not going to happen. You will rarely have an announcement and 20 paces in which to show off your gun fighting skills. Even if you did, you will probably miss more often than not.
Chances are you will be caught off guard and some sort of scuffle will follow. If you cannot get by the scuffle you certainly wont get to your weapon. Even worse, you might turn an unarmed attacker into an armed one after he gets your weapon.
Serious About Self Defense?
Stop it, just stop.
If you are serious about self defense a loaded baked potato shouldn’t be a potential threat.
Being serious about self defense includes the word serious….
Do you need your weapon to protect you from our government in case they turn on us?
OK, good.
You have been separated from your ammo, or maybe your weapon malfunctioned. There is a 26 year old solider all by himself. His orders are to shoot to kill you. This person is only 5’8″ 165lbs but has 8 weeks of boot camp and hand to hand training. You are only 6 feet away from him and you need his water, his gun and his ammo.
- Do you even have a chance?
- Can you run 1 mile without dying?
- Can you bench press your body-weight?
- Would you have the ability to get to your weapon if attacked while separated from your firearm?
- Ladies, most rapes and homicides vs women happens by the hand of someone you know. If a trusted guest in your home became violent, could you subdue him? Would you be equipped to fight him off long enough to arm yourself?
Gentlemen and Ladies. You reach into your pocket for your keys in the dark parking garage. Yours is the only car left.
Suddenly you are tackled from behind. You are face down, flat on your belly on the concrete.
The breath has been knocked out of you, your ribs hurt too.
Your gun is in your purse, but it slid 6 feet away on impact. Or, your gun is in your car. You weren’t allowed to take it in to the stadium/jury duty etc…
Are you equipped personally to get back to your feet?
Last Thoughts
Self defense gun. Go ahead an own one or two or seven. That’s no problem. But when confronted about gun control or gun violence or gun rights or whatever the term of the day is, if you cannot defend yourself without a gun….
You cannot defend yourself with a gun!
Like I said when I started this topic, I own guns.
I am not some Kung Fu Master either. What I am is confident that I can get to my guns, should I need them. That confidence comes from training.
The point is, if you are serious about defending whatever it is you want to defend, be serious.
Your firearms as your first, last and only line of defense is nothing without additional skills to back them up.
Self Defense Gun? get one. Then learn to REALLY defend yourself.
There are a number of self defense courses avaiable to both men and women.
My recommendation would be to train in a style that is heavy into grappling.
These styles would Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, Wrestling and Judo. You do not have to become a “master” or black belt. Your goal should be to be able to adequately defend yourself in knocked down, tackled, grabbed or pinned.
With an adequate knowledge of how to defend yourself without your weapon, it will increase your ability to get to your weapon if you are ever surprised.
