Don't stop posting because you received a few negative posts. Guns are much more likely to elicit an emotional response than other survival gear, either pro or con. Therefore the issue of whether to use one or not is likely to become heated. That does not mean it is not a worthwhile topic. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This forum, moreso than most forums I frequent, is extremenly civil. However, we come to forums to express ideas and exchange information. This leads to discussion and disagreement. Discussion and disagreement lead to education. If we all agreed on everything, we'd never learn anything.

If someone tells me I'm right, I may have learned one thing. If someone tells me I'm wrong, I have probably learned two things. Whether I choose to change because of it, is still up to me. Nevertheless, I have learned something, and that makes it a good day.

Christina,

If you are able, would you please give us more detail on the gunfight you are referring to. It sounds like something we could all learn from.

Thanks!

Part of me really wants to, if it would help somebody, but the other part of me remembers that this is the internet and I should keep details private out of respect for my family.

The only lesson I learned was this: Make right with your conscience and the people you love, because whenever you take a stand to defend yourself and others like that, you're just a roll of the dice away from tragedy. It takes incredible courage to do that, I think.

Something similar happened when I was helping teach a self defense class. There was one young woman who, by the way she was in the class had also been abused. As part of the class, we had the participants practice striking a kicking shield. When she was practicing each of the techniques, she looked as if she was trying to kill someone. It didn't seem like she was just really into the training, it looked she was thinking of someone she'd like to use the techniques on. I'm 6'3" and well over 300 pounds and she was hitting so hard that she was throwing me off balance...and she was an average sized woman. It really wasn't my business but I was concerned for her situation and wanted to recommend some local agencies that could help her if she was being abused. I was very concerned about her mental state.

In that respect, I highly recommend "The SAS Self Defense Handbook". It discusses the mental aspects of self defense as well as physical ones. It's straightforward and no nonsense and effective. Though the techniques should be practiced, they are simply "incapacitate the perp and get out of Dodge" techniques. Unfortunately there is still a need for such materials and training, but forutnately quality information is available.

"Look at the odds of falling into such a situation...."

dbeeksci you hit the nail on the head in my case. I packed a long time ago, but I learned I am a very intimidating person. I am 6'5" 250 lbs, and when the muscles relax in my face I just look dang mean. I found that the way my face looks combined with my size just scares the heck out of people.

This is my best story out of many: When in D.C. once, a friend dropped me off one night to where I was staying in a rough neighborhood. He drove off quickly, I was crouched over getting my bag ready to sling over my shoulder. Five gangstas surrounded me on the sidewalk, but dispersed when I stood up straight and they saw my height and the mean-ass look on my face.

Okay, maybe I still would have got slotted if it happened on a different night. But I've faced other potential instances many times and have never had any problem.

I've always been told "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Problem is, not meaning to boast, they have to make me fall first.

Lots of opinions on a touchy subject (for some) I guess. I will give mine. I have been around firearms of all types all my life (35 years), I am comfortable and proficient with just about anything that goes bang. As a hunter I have over 100 big game kills and know what it means to take life. You say that is not a human. Ok, I have fired my weapon at an individual on one occation, without hessitation. Technically we were both in the wrong. The person had attemted to Break&Enter, a family member jumped on the hood of his vehicle to prevent escape as law enforcement was on the way. Then the guy tries to drive off with my family member on the hood. I fired twice hitting the vehicle both times (family member out of the line of fire, mind you). The Deputies came, and I handed over my weapon. My family member was thrown from the vehicle a little over 1/2 mile down the road. The county P/A looked over the case and did not prosecute me. The A-hole that should have been charged with B&E and attemted murder, got off scott free as well. So don't look for the government to protect YOU. It is your responseablity to your children and family, and God who gave you life, to respect your own life and protect yourself. I may have been in the wrong as far as the letter of the law was concerened, but I, nor the prosecuting Attorney felt I was in the wrong in this situation. Would I do it again.....absolutly.
Now as far as my home is concerned, with a person forcing there way in to do whatever; I have two dogs that should deter you. If you are so stupid as to contiue to enter, you will be put down. Period. No hesitation.
What is your life worth to you?
One thing that saddens me today is there are people out there who care more for a damn animal, than for another human being or themselves who are made in the image of God. Love those values. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Any after saying all that, a gun is not the end all and be all of self defense, it is a tool, and a good one at that. Now that I am 10 years removed from my encounter that could have ended with a life lost, I am more consience about avoiding danger, but if danger finds me, so be it.
Only you know what you will do in the face of injury or death. Just be prepared to do it, and live with it.