H2H baby

Need to get some H2H skills in your toolbox. Maybe some pepperspray too. Definately learn how to maintain weapon control during a fight. :image035:

 

Because of my gender and size, I'm in a slightly different boat than you. The majority of men are much larger and stronger than me, so an unarmed man is still a threat to my life.

 

My biggest fear is being attacked by someone who is enraged but not armed.

It's not possible to know if someone's armed. Assume armed. You're absolutely armed, hence there is a strong risk of being disarmed and having it used against you. Bad juju.

When I was 11 or 12, I had another kid attack me violently with a dangerous blunt item he was swinging. I defended ... and I had to be pulled off of him by three grown adults. That was the one and only time in my life that I've found it necessary to fight a protracted engagement physically. The simple knowledge that a 12yr old could hold off an attacker and withstand the concerted efforts of three adults to separate us was a revelation. Lesson #1 was that I went well beyond defending and pushed the depth of the counter way, way beyond what was necessary. That was bad. I also learned a life lesson that day: On any given Sunday, a motivated person with a mission can be dangerous and unstoppable. On that particular day, I had my life threatened ... and I flatly refused the concept. Lesson? Assume any BG might just have this degree of motivation, for whatever reason. Being attacked is no joke.

How I will respond: If someone gets inside arm's reach violently, it's getting stopped by the means I have. I assumed armed. Thankfully, in my state I am not legally required to take shots, get battered, be robbed. If sucker punched and I can create any sort of distance from the perp, I'd prefer withdrawal every time. However, any sort of overt violent attack on me is getting stopped by the means I have. Being disabled limits my choices and does simplify things a bit (as I cannot run, can't physically defend for long against an aggressive attack, and being taken to the ground would be "curtains" for me). Disparity of force, here, is similar to elderly versus BG, or smaller woman vs BG, or one-on-many. Control of my weapon in such a situation is paramount. It won't get taken. I won't be killed. I won't allow it, no matter what it costs the BG.

The laws in my state support this, thankfully. YMMV.

 

You also have to look at your risk factors. Unless you are a prison guard, hang out at bars, clubs, busy streets, hang around with questionable people, the odds of someone starting a fight with you are nil.

Betty ditto.

 

Thanks but I don't buy this



You could use this same logic to argue that noboby really needs to carry a gun!

 

Learn so basic H2H skills. Also force escalation rules. Unless your physically disadvantaged by quite a bit, deadly force will be hard to justify.

 

Kick um in the groin then run like fire.

 

I used to worry about this as well. I dont go anywhere without the pepper spray. First I will try to avoid the confrontation. If I can't, the pepper spray is in my very loose front pocket. If I need anything beyond that to defend myself, it's (IMO) probably going to be justified anyway.

 

Anymore

All you need to do is make eye contact with someone at a red light, glance at someone's girl friend at the donut shop, or pull into a parking spot ahead of someone else in front of Walmart. It doesn't take much to set people off, it's a violent world. Also, I see a huge differance in how people behave in a small town or rural area VS Southern California or any other area where lots of folks are packed into a small area.

 

I agree that some degree of unarmed self defense should be learned by everyone. Now with that being said their is always going to be Someone that can "take you" in a fight. A less than lethal weapon is an alternative if you feel the need. OC, flashlight, collapsable baton etc. Just remember in any self defense situation:
Awareness and Common Sense are your best tools.

 

As for me, in my desire to keep myself and my family from becomming a victim, I adopted a 3 layered defense:

Layer 1 - Practiced 8 years of Shotokan Karate (although I stropped training some 12 years ago, I think I can still be somewhat effective against the average unarmed punk).
Layer 2 - I carry pepper spray with me all the time (for the BIG unarmed punk)
Layer 3 - My Beretta 96 FS (soon to be SW1911) in an IWB for that last gasp scenario we all dread.

Even with all that, my greatest fear is that in the heat of the moment, I can think clearly enough to know what to do.

:tumbleweed:

 

Fear for loss of life or greivous bodily harm. A blow to the head can cause either. Just like with a weapon, Shot placement is key. A punch to the eye could result in a broken bone around the eye orbit and could cause blindness and loss of the use of that eye (greivous bodily harm), a punch to the temple can result in death.

Some H2H training and some pepper spray might be a good thing to have, I have seen something advertised by Kimber its a 2 shot focused pepper spray thingie. Might be worth looking into

That said, If I truly feel fear of L.o.L or G.B.H I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Or even pushed around by 1 (my wife) for the rest of my life.

Thanks
MikeV

 

If You Attempt To Start...

a fight with me...it won't be because I did something...(?)...
I seldom drink, I don't go to bars, I let 'race car drivers' have the good parking spaces...
So, if you are approaching me in a parking lot with anger, you will first get an apology (for doing nothing!), as you get closer, it will be a loud warning...
If you keep approaching (this all happen in a few seconds), this 60Y/O will be pulling a weapon and you WILL stop...or be stopped!
In Florida, it's called 'disparity of force'...I had a right to be where I am, you have no right to 'plainly threaten me'...you were given a warning...

I have/had a reputable job, I have no 'record', I'm usually with my wife.
This older, no hair/white hair...couple will take our chances with the police and the new Castle Doctrine...

Oh, by the way, my wife will shoot your A** too!

OMHO

ret:urla9ub:

 

If the guy doesn't have arms I wouldn't want to look like the BG for beating up a handicapped person

Hand to hand is a must and you should be trained for it. Leaving a situation does not cost anything and many times in the past I have looked like a wimp b/c I wouldn't fight. I would rather keep that image than hurt someone or myself, or have my gun used against me.

 

Three statements for the Police when they arrive.
1. I was in fear for my life.
2. I thought he was armed
3. My I speak to my lawyer now.

All this being said as the coroner is putting the guy in body bag.

 

Here's something that I witnessed first hand when I was a kid. I grew up in detroit,Mich. not far from Tiger Stadium. I knew a guy we all called junky Jerry, he was a poineer when crack first showed up hot and heavy. He was also a pimp who knew not to carry a weapon you can't get as high in jail as you can on the streets right. So he let everyone and their brother know this dirtbag had AIDS and he was low enough to bite in a fight, if you can believe that. Even without the threat of being bitten would you bust a guys mouth who you knew has a deadly disease? Remember back then AIDS was a real mystery when it first came out, most of the younger people thought it was as easy to get from someone as a cold.

 

A female can easily get away with squeezing on an unarmed person. However, if male we find ourselves in a different boat. I would definitely get some H2H training or buy some spray. And don't forget running is always an option.

 

A properly trained person can kill just as effectively unarmed as armed. Even an untrained person can kill with a lucky shot.

I do not want to deal with the possibility of bloodborne pathogens. As well, I've gone H2H with a drunk person, and that guy was feeling no pain until the next day. I one, but only because I pinned him and some others convinced him to stop because they saw he was going to dislocate some stuff getting out of the lock I had him in!

In short, I am mortally afraid of what a person can do when in an altered state of consciousness, and I am also mortally afraid of bloodborn pathogens.

Josh <><

 

If you are in fear for your life or bodily harm shoot or run.

When I worked for the Police (CSI nothing like TV I was in a well lighted lab and never saw a BG expect in court) All of the officers talked about how they hated when a BG would strip :banned: and fight them. He was naked and unarmed, nothing to grab unto and most of these guys were ec-cons who knew how to fight through pepper-spray. I know they really liked the tasers when they got them.

 

I am a fairly large guy. I also have physical problems that make me use a cane to help walk when good days are here and either a wheelie walker or chair when the bad days are happening. For the last 5 years or so, I have carried a 2 oz pepper spray in a small carrier that is always around my left wrist when I'm out and about. Never had to actually use it, but have had to show it a couple times. I try not to go places without someone else around to help out if needed. It is hard sometimes, but I dont have many choices. I refuse to let the slime of the earth rule my life. Do whatever is necessary.

 

Situations like this stresses the one thing that is most important in any situation. Tactics. Having a firearm; knowing how to use it; knowing when to use it; all of that is very important, but it isn't everything.

In my opinion, if you are willing to carry a firearm for self defense you should also be willing to learn hand to hand tactics. Combine the fact that an average shooter is only 3-7 yards yards away from their perp; and, providing you did not hit a CNS, a determined perp will be able to put a hand on you before he bleeds out. Thats right, just because you put holes in him doesnt mean the fight is done.

In short, there are levels of escalation that you need to learn, and properly prepare for.