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Guns, Canes, and Home Security: What Senior Citizens Need to Know About Self-Defense
PJ Media ^ | 12/1/17 | Jeff Sanders

Posted on 12/05/2017 4:23:27 PM PST by x1stcav

It's easy for martial artists to talk about self-defense for most of us. Most of us probably don't struggle with physical challenges throughout the day. But what about senior citizens? I have taught self-defense to people in their late 60s and 70s. They were actually quite mobile and had the strength to hit the focus mits hard. (I remember one student was a 73-year-old retired physical education teacher. She was in great shape, had an awesome attitude, and man could she knock the stuffings out of the kick shield!)

However, in many cases, our elderly citizens struggle daily with loss of hearing, fading eyesight, arthritis, balance issues, and general lack of strength. Yes, I know there are exceptions like the amazing Helio Gracie (founder of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) who was still practicing his art well into his 90s:

(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; guns; selfdefense; seniors
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Not a bad introductory for an older person who is not woke yet to everyday security and self defense issues.

(I prefer a Glock 19 to some of the tips but its a personal choice.)

1 posted on 12/05/2017 4:23:27 PM PST by x1stcav
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To: x1stcav

Yeah, someone on FR once posted that an old person isn’t going to fight you, they’re going to shoot you. It’s just so much easier.


2 posted on 12/05/2017 4:33:07 PM PST by KingLudd
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To: x1stcav

I’m not woke yet to the replacement of the perfectly good word “aware” by the hipster/rapper slang `woke’.


3 posted on 12/05/2017 4:33:39 PM PST by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all white armed conservatives)
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To: x1stcav

I would love to find a certain kind of Sensei (Karate Teacher). A Sensei who was willing and knowledgable enough to work with arthritic older people who still have a lot of upper body strength.
I can’t run warm up laps around the Dojo now with the rest of the class, as I used to do. I don’t want to slow down those who can do it.
When I find someone who I can afford, I shall return to the Dojo! I miss the sparring most of all.


4 posted on 12/05/2017 4:35:13 PM PST by lee martell
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To: x1stcav
You left out Brella’s. Look at how to use an Umbrella for Defense and a”cane” for walking.
5 posted on 12/05/2017 4:37:32 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country)
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To: tumblindice

Yeah, I was indulging in a little hipsterism.

I’ll behave from now on.


6 posted on 12/05/2017 4:40:46 PM PST by x1stcav (We have the guns. Do we have the will?)
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To: x1stcav

The only self defense issue I face, as a senior citizen, is remembering to take out my hearing aids before pulling my 1911.


7 posted on 12/05/2017 4:43:09 PM PST by Chuckster ("Them Rag Heads just ain't rational" Curly Bartley 1973)
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To: x1stcav
If you're older you need this and the element of surprise.

Trying to fight is just gonna get you killed if you're old, slow, and haven't trained continuously for years.

Martial arts training is a serious lifestyle, not something you pick up in a self-defense seminar.

8 posted on 12/05/2017 4:43:20 PM PST by bankwalker (Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.)
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To: bankwalker

When I go for my morning walks I’m packing and carrying bear spray. Different defenses for different situations. (Who’d want to unnecessarily hurt a dog for instance)


9 posted on 12/05/2017 4:46:08 PM PST by x1stcav (We have the guns. Do we have the will?)
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To: Chuckster

LOL!

Post of the day!


10 posted on 12/05/2017 4:46:21 PM PST by Taxman (Replace the income tax with the FAIRtax and abolish the IRS!)
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To: x1stcav
From the piece...3. Get a gun.

Yes, except where seniors are unable or (sadly) opposed.

As one who is in his bonus years (If someone were to call me "old", I'll challenge that person to a five-mile foot race followed by a game of concentration), I'm able (if needed) to defend myself, and responsible gun ownership is a part of my preparation.

11 posted on 12/05/2017 4:48:34 PM PST by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except for convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: x1stcav

I teach self defense to many senior citizens ... including my 84 year old mother and a retired federal judge. I am ranked as a 5th Dan (5th degree black belt)master in Kyusho Jitsu which is pressure points. That system can be lethal or debilitating to the attacker with minimum effort and requires just a few months training to begin use it affectively. The system does not require any fancy kicking nor any fancy punching and no rolling around on the ground. Perfect for seniors ... (I’m 66 years old) I have been teaching it for 30+ years .... and yes I have had to use it in real situations ... as recently as last summer. Anyone interested can google Kyusho Jitsu


12 posted on 12/05/2017 4:50:52 PM PST by clamper1797 (We are getting close to the last "box")
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To: Taxman; Chuckster

Yeah, pretty damned good.


13 posted on 12/05/2017 4:51:33 PM PST by x1stcav (We have the guns. Do we have the will?)
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To: x1stcav

Small easily excitable dogs with the hearing acuity of a fruit bat make excellent companions for seniors, and provide enough warning time to access a firearm.


14 posted on 12/05/2017 4:59:03 PM PST by SpaceBar
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To: tumblindice

:)


15 posted on 12/05/2017 4:59:10 PM PST by Bigg Red (Vacate the chair! Ryan must go. Dump McConnman, too.)
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To: x1stcav

:)


16 posted on 12/05/2017 4:59:52 PM PST by Bigg Red (Vacate the chair! Ryan must go. Dump McConnman, too.)
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To: x1stcav

I am too old to fight a young hoodlum and for the last few years I have taken some precautions.

If a person knocks on the front door, I can see who it is but have a Walther PP in .380 in my hand until I do. I have better self defense handguns but the Walther has a fairly stiff, long double action so I will not accidentally pull the trigger.

If they are at the back door, I will answer it but as I pull the door back, I step back with the pistol in my right hand.

I have had a few embarrassing moments but rather that than take a chance. If it is after around 10, I just don’t answer the back door.

I keep a Cold Steel black thorn walking stick when I walk. It is a bit too heavy for a walking stick but still the best choice.


17 posted on 12/05/2017 5:02:15 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: KingLudd

I sometimes walk the neighborhood with a big walking stick. It is lightweight, 1” diameter and almost 6’ long. It is about 10% heavier than bamboo. I’m too old to run from dogs and I don’t like to shoot them in front of little children in the park.


18 posted on 12/05/2017 5:07:43 PM PST by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: x1stcav

AND DON’T LEAVE OUT THIS, ... https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hatpin-peril-terrorized-men-who-couldnt-handle-20th-century-woman-180951219/ “The Hatpin Peril”


19 posted on 12/05/2017 5:10:58 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country)
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To: x1stcav

Canes are freaking dangerous in the hands of someone knowing what to do with it.


20 posted on 12/05/2017 5:14:09 PM PST by ctdonath2 (It's not "white privilege", it's "Puritan work ethic". Behavior begets consequences.)
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