This is an outstanding post about self defense. It covers a lot of ground and has some great pointers. Certainly somethings that I knew, and some others that I had overlooked. Go read it, it s good. Here is a little excerpt or two:
Once a man starts armed robbing he has crossed a line most won’t. Don’t forget that when you are looking these bastards in the eye. Their decision to kill you is already made. Your life means nothing to him. Only his does. His sole motivation for not killing you is he doesn’t want a murder case. He has already accepted he may pick one up though.
And
Chances are good you are a law abiding person except for maybe a little light weed smoking and maybe driving a little drunk every once in a while. Most of your life you have been taught to be nice and don’t point guns at people. You are the exact opposite of your enemy who was taught just the opposite. Remember a lot of street life is like prison life. Who’s the man is everything. Violence is the currency of the street.
You do not possess total disregard for the lives of others and do not want to kill anyone. You are concerned about the ramifications of shooting someone. Your family, your possessions and finances on the line. Your enemy has none of these concerns.
Here are the top points that I believe that you need to walk away with:
- Situational Awareness – Basic and fundamental building block. If you see it coming, you are ahead of the enemy.
- Anyone committing a crime has already made the decision that your stuff is worth more to them than your life.
- Be violent enough, fast enough. Old saying and it goes for whether you are a Marine in combat or a guy walking down the street. Escalate far enough and fast enough to stop the encounter in its tracks.
- Your body language and actions speak volumes to the enemy. Use these tools as deterrents.
- See 3 above.
- We teach kids not to talk to strangers, why is it any different for adults.
Your mileage may vary but, go read the doggone article. I hope that violence is not and will never be a part of your lives but you have to be mentally prepared to deal with it if it finds you. Find that part of you that can recognize the signs, and take action to protect yourselves and those you care about. Nurture and feed that part of yourself and hope that you never need it.