You saved up for years so you could go to that famous training facility. They drilled you with your 1911 until you left with a permanent bend to your trigger finger. You practiced shooting standing up, kneeling down, and even flat on your back using your weak hand. You practiced clearing jams so many times that the patent number on the gun’s slide became imprinted on the palm of your hand. But are you really ready to defend yourself?
Being able to pull the trigger on a human being that wants to kill you requires more than physical preparation. It requires mental conditioning as well. Recognize that no matter how well trained you are by not being the aggressor you are always the victim. Being the victim means you are in a reactive position and the disregard for law and life that an armed attacker brings to a fight means you are always at a disadvantage. We can compensate for the natural hesitation that comes with being the victim of aggression, but we can never eliminate it. The extension of that hesitation by just a few milliseconds can cost you your life. That means you have no time to waste when reacting to an attacker.
I do not intend to launch into a discussion of rapid handgun deployment or the speed necessary to find cover. I want to talk about what you need to do mentally to be ready to defend your life. Practicing effective self-defense techniques involves more than sending rounds down range. One needs to create a habit of running self-defense scenarios through their mind so that if a dangerous situation arises our reactions come swiftly and naturally. This is not paranoia, it is preparation. Just as we develop muscle memory by practicing our shooting skills we should develop mental skills to recognize danger as a familiar situation. Only then can our reactions be automatic in nature and fluid in execution. When you read about street violence in the media call upon what you have heard and learned and run that scenario through your head. How would you handle such a situation? What if you were with your family? Would that change how you would behave? The best way to find an answer is to ask questions. The best way to learn self defense is to ask yourself constantly- “What should I do when attacked?” Long before you find yourself in danger you should have contemplated and selected the best course of action to take and have prepared an alternate plan, just in case. Consistently contemplate “attack scenarios” and feed your mind a steady diet of “what if” questions. This will help you mentally prepare for what you hope never happens and it will save your life if it does happen. By practicing attack responses mentally as well as physically you train your mind to work with your body so that you can respond to danger faster. Working your mind with your body helps you to develop the ability to “act while thinking” rather than “first thinking and then acting.”
When I suggest that you try to imagine every dangerous scenario you might find yourself in, I really mean every scenario. It is easy to imagine using force to defend yourself against a crazed crack head bent on attaining his next fix over your dead body. It is not as easy to imagine placing two hollow points in the center mass of a 14 year old boy or a 110 pound female. Yet you may very well have to defend yourself from someone you normally do not consider a threat. Last year’s jump in the nation’s crime rate was attributed to the increasing number of juveniles involved in robberies, assaults and other violent incidents. Violence is not reserved for males, 17% percent of the people arrested for violent crime are females and 28% of those female felons were juveniles. While it is likely in your nature to hesitate before defending yourself against a young boy it needs to be overcome. If someone is pointing a pistol sideways at your head you will end up just as dead if he is 14 as you would were he 40. Being stabbed by a crazy street person does not make you less dead because it is a woman holding that rusty kitchen knife. Regardless of the attacker’s gender or age when faced with the threat of an unavoidable violent attack, the problem to be solved remains “kill or be killed.” You can only be safe by recognizing that anyone can be dangerous.
One must be aware of danger before one can defend against danger. When you are outside the security of your home you must be in a constant state of awareness. Conditioning yourself to recognize danger remains the primary defense against being attacked. The color code system of readiness is perhaps Jeff Cooper’s greatest gift to us and we must live it, not just learn it. Cooper described it as more than a system of formulating tactical solutions; he called it “a psychological means of overcoming your innate reluctance to shoot someone down.” Research the color code system and then live it. Spend your time on the street alert and aware. By walking around in “condition yellow” you should be able to tell quickly if that teenager is a danger to you. Stay alert and recognize that anyone can be an attacker. Learn to recognize before they act if that child or little lady is a danger. Then should danger present itself act decisively.
There is no shame in running from a dangerous kid and there is no crime in stopping her from killing you.
Finally, the best way to protect against violence is caution, not bravery. Do not enter areas you know are dangerous. If you are someplace that makes you suspicious or fearful for your safety and the safety of your loved ones – leave immediately.
Published Combat Handguns February 2008
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Pick Your Spot - It's all about location.
When was the last time you picked your seat when you went out to dine in a restaurant? When you went to see that action movie did you notice the exits and check out the entering crowd? As you waited in line to get on that commuter train did you look around to see who was behind you on the platform?
We often practice a variety of safety procedures for dealing with threats in our home but facts show that we are safer in our homes than we are in public places. While we are practicing escape and defense protocols against late night intruders remember that it is far more likely that your life will be threatened at a public gathering than in your own home. You need to pay attention in public.
Pick Your Spot
While the restaurant hostess may have a perfectly good reason for placing you in a tight booth with your back to the door nothing is stopping you from requesting a different table. As you enter the restaurant and before approaching the hostess for seating take a good look around the room and decide where the safest available location to sit is. When the time comes to be led to your seat politely indicate that it is important that you sit in the location of your choosing. Choose one that provides you with the best view of the room and its entrances and exits. Make sure that the location you choose provides you with the best available cover, and that it allows unrestricted movement. Try to choose a table in the back instead of a booth in the front of the room. If no choice other than a booth exists make sure you get one that allows your dominate or draw hand to be free of encumbrances without having your back to the door.
Movie theaters are dark, often crowded, and more prone than ever to urban violence. If you can not wait for this season’s blockbuster to get to the local video store then make sure that you exercise caution and security when visiting that multi-plex.
First off, get there early. Crowded lobbies and anxious jostling crowds present insurmountable security concerns. When possible avoid uncontrolled crowds. Buy your tickets early, and give yourself the time and opportunity to scan the theater before the lights go out. Also on the way in check and see if the theater owner has taken the precaution of having real security on hand. You never know when you may need a friend in a hurry. Being early also means you can pick the best location in the theater, but that doesn’t just mean the one with the best view of the screen.
The best location in a movie theater involves finding a seat that provides you with a good view of the entire room, close to the exits. Once again never choose a seat that “boxes in” your dominant hand. Drawing a weapon quickly and effectively requires that you have freedom of movement. Aisle seats remain the best location and they provide you with easier movement toward safety and away from danger.
Being able to react efficiently and effectively also means not being surprised. Choose a seat that allows you to view the patrons as they come into the theater. Watch for those folks who choose to bring backpacks into theaters. Quickly size up the threat from that loud and boisterous pack of youths. Are they “gangbangers” or just “wannabes.” Once the movie starts certainly try to enjoy yourself but also train yourself to break away from the story every so often and scan the theater to observe the behavior of the other patrons. Teach your ears to listen to the background noise of the people in the neighboring rows as well as the soundtrack.
Finally, as the movie is ending your choice is to be one of the very first to get up and leave or one of the very last. Avoid getting stuck in the rush to the door and the crush of bodies that inevitably follows.
Transportation depots in most cities attract the worst elements of those societies since opportunities for quick scores or easy victims abound. Being alert and aware of the people around you is always the key to your personal security. When the location allows make sure there is some distance between you and the crowd. Never stand so close to the tracks or curb that some lunatic can shove you into danger. Position yourself so that both feet are firmly planted and never lean forward. Looking down the platform won’t make your transportation arrive any sooner but looking around the crowd will provide you with a better assessment of possible threats. Always look for those who do not belong in the crowd and as always provide yourself with the opportunity for your hands and arms to move freely.
Airports are the modern bus station. Not just because of the popularity of air travel but also because the low end of society now also congregate at airports. While airports tend to provide a significant showing of security, not all of it is effective, and it may not be there when you need it. The inability for most of us to carry weapons in airports creates the need to rely on our wits and everyday possessions for protection. Again scan the crowds and avoid those people who seem out of place. Keep on hand sharpened pencils, rings of keys, the sharp edge of a brief case and whatever else you can use to fill your hand. As always keep your arms and hands free to move.
Finally, the best defense against public violence is caution and preparation, not bravery. Do not enter areas you know are dangerous. Do not solely rely on supplied security. You are your best guard. If you are someplace that makes you suspicious or fearful for your safety and the safety of your loved ones – leave immediately.
Published in Combat Handguns November 2007
We often practice a variety of safety procedures for dealing with threats in our home but facts show that we are safer in our homes than we are in public places. While we are practicing escape and defense protocols against late night intruders remember that it is far more likely that your life will be threatened at a public gathering than in your own home. You need to pay attention in public.
Pick Your Spot
While the restaurant hostess may have a perfectly good reason for placing you in a tight booth with your back to the door nothing is stopping you from requesting a different table. As you enter the restaurant and before approaching the hostess for seating take a good look around the room and decide where the safest available location to sit is. When the time comes to be led to your seat politely indicate that it is important that you sit in the location of your choosing. Choose one that provides you with the best view of the room and its entrances and exits. Make sure that the location you choose provides you with the best available cover, and that it allows unrestricted movement. Try to choose a table in the back instead of a booth in the front of the room. If no choice other than a booth exists make sure you get one that allows your dominate or draw hand to be free of encumbrances without having your back to the door.
Movie theaters are dark, often crowded, and more prone than ever to urban violence. If you can not wait for this season’s blockbuster to get to the local video store then make sure that you exercise caution and security when visiting that multi-plex.
First off, get there early. Crowded lobbies and anxious jostling crowds present insurmountable security concerns. When possible avoid uncontrolled crowds. Buy your tickets early, and give yourself the time and opportunity to scan the theater before the lights go out. Also on the way in check and see if the theater owner has taken the precaution of having real security on hand. You never know when you may need a friend in a hurry. Being early also means you can pick the best location in the theater, but that doesn’t just mean the one with the best view of the screen.
The best location in a movie theater involves finding a seat that provides you with a good view of the entire room, close to the exits. Once again never choose a seat that “boxes in” your dominant hand. Drawing a weapon quickly and effectively requires that you have freedom of movement. Aisle seats remain the best location and they provide you with easier movement toward safety and away from danger.
Being able to react efficiently and effectively also means not being surprised. Choose a seat that allows you to view the patrons as they come into the theater. Watch for those folks who choose to bring backpacks into theaters. Quickly size up the threat from that loud and boisterous pack of youths. Are they “gangbangers” or just “wannabes.” Once the movie starts certainly try to enjoy yourself but also train yourself to break away from the story every so often and scan the theater to observe the behavior of the other patrons. Teach your ears to listen to the background noise of the people in the neighboring rows as well as the soundtrack.
Finally, as the movie is ending your choice is to be one of the very first to get up and leave or one of the very last. Avoid getting stuck in the rush to the door and the crush of bodies that inevitably follows.
Transportation depots in most cities attract the worst elements of those societies since opportunities for quick scores or easy victims abound. Being alert and aware of the people around you is always the key to your personal security. When the location allows make sure there is some distance between you and the crowd. Never stand so close to the tracks or curb that some lunatic can shove you into danger. Position yourself so that both feet are firmly planted and never lean forward. Looking down the platform won’t make your transportation arrive any sooner but looking around the crowd will provide you with a better assessment of possible threats. Always look for those who do not belong in the crowd and as always provide yourself with the opportunity for your hands and arms to move freely.
Airports are the modern bus station. Not just because of the popularity of air travel but also because the low end of society now also congregate at airports. While airports tend to provide a significant showing of security, not all of it is effective, and it may not be there when you need it. The inability for most of us to carry weapons in airports creates the need to rely on our wits and everyday possessions for protection. Again scan the crowds and avoid those people who seem out of place. Keep on hand sharpened pencils, rings of keys, the sharp edge of a brief case and whatever else you can use to fill your hand. As always keep your arms and hands free to move.
Finally, the best defense against public violence is caution and preparation, not bravery. Do not enter areas you know are dangerous. Do not solely rely on supplied security. You are your best guard. If you are someplace that makes you suspicious or fearful for your safety and the safety of your loved ones – leave immediately.
Published in Combat Handguns November 2007
Love from the left..........
Sometimes the distraction can be the person you most want to protect. Recently when spending an evening stroll with my wife she turned and called me an “unromantic, paranoid clown.” In more than thirty years of marriage she has certainly called me worse but this time I was shocked because she reacted to something I had been doing for many years.
You see I carry my conceal carry weapon on my right side so when my wife attempts to hold my right hand in public I always step back and move to her other side to offer her my left hand. After many years of practice I assumed my maneuver was both smooth and unnoticeable. Not only did my spouse disagree about the smoothness, she added that the habit was annoying. I tried to smooth things over by turning on the charm and explaining that I need to “love you with my left hand so that I can protect you with my right hand.” Needless to say she did see the eloquence in that line and the mood did not get better. Rarely, have I found that there are things more important than pleasing your wife but this time I felt strongly enough to declare that this was one habit that wasn’t going to be broken. She continued to grumble but she did not demand her share of the community property. No matter how much I practice using my left hand I know that my right hand is better. With that fact in mind I need to ensure that I present the best possibility for success should a threat occur. Restricting the use of your dominant hand is never a good idea. Too often folks load down their dominant hand and as a result an efficient and complete defense becomes impossible. When fast reaction time is crucial to success wasting time freeing your strong side hand is time you cannot afford. Always keeping your dominant hand available for rapid use is crucial to personal defense.
Of course having your hand free is not enough. In fact carrying a weapon that you have practiced with and are competent using is not enough – the weapon has to be reachable. When riding in a car your weapon does you no good if a seat belt or sitting position precludes you from effectively drawing and aiming your weapon. I often wear a “small of the back” holster because it allows me to fully conceal my weapon but I also recognize that it is a less effective carry method when traveling by automobile. At those times I shift my weapon to a position that is easier to reach and allows a faster, controlled draw.
Being a slave to fashion also does not help. I always marvel at my colleagues who go with style over effectiveness when choosing a holster to carry their weapon. Since the weapon is expected to be concealed anyway I just don’t see where fashion needs to be a consideration. While they might feel good about the way they look it does them no good if the rig does not provide an effective platform from which to draw their weapon. The holster you use to carry a firearm needs to first perform well and next be comfortable so that you never find an excuse to be unarmed and you can always bring your weapon into play when needed. There are even times when no holster is the better way to carry and all of us need to continue to experiment, and research to determine the best techniques and products.Developing good habits takes practice and time and maintaining good habits takes personal discipline and vigilance. You must always assume there is the possibility of danger. The best defense against a violent threat is caution and preparation not bravery or marksmanship. Always pay attention to your surroundings. If you are someplace, which makes you suspicious or fearful for your safety and the safety of your loved ones, leave immediately.
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