FR Gun Club: The Cornered Cat

The Cornered Cat ^ | Kathy Jackson

[sig226]

A friend sent me a link to this site and I liked what I saw. The site is dedicated primarily to female shooters, but the articles are well written and worthy of anyone's time. Kathy Jackson deals primarily with new shooters and people new to the idea that they might one day have to use deadly force to protect themself or their family. Although I've been around this stuff for a long time, I read many of the articles and even found a couple of things I didn't know on some of the n00b pages. It's definitely worth your time. If you are first considering firearms for your personal use, you'll see information presented in a different light than the common gun press and internet. If you're an experienced shooter, take my word for it, there is good stuff here.

Men:
If a woman in your life is wondering about your enthusiasm for firearms, or wondering if she should learn to shoot, send her here.

Women:
If you've wanted to find a more sympathetic ear to your concerns, this is an excellent site. "What should I do?' and 'What can I do?' are addressed by knowledgeable people without a lot of blather and "you have to do this," "you have to do that." These are some excerpts to the site, with links. The main link is a table of contents and will likely address any question you'd like to ask.

Main site

Cornered Cat.
When a cat feels threatened, she gets away from the danger as quickly as she can. She doesn't care what damage she inflicts on her way to safety, but she's not interested in fighting for fighting's sake. She does only as much as she needs to do in order to escape. She doesn't deal in revenge. If she feels threatened, she simply leaves. Efficiently.

Until she needs to use them, her claws stay sheathed. She doesn't go around threatening to maul people. She's cuddly, she's cozy, she likes to curl up next to a crackling fire on a warm winter's day. She's great company.

But don't try to trap her in a bad situation.

This site is about women and guns, not about cats. But in a way, it's about the cornered cat in all of us. It's about the determination to get away from an attacker if you need to. It's about making the decision to say, "Not me. Not mine. Not today." And it's about the tools to make that decision stick.

If you have to fight ... Fight like a cornered cat

A Word to Women
I didn't get permission from the author to excerpt, but this is a must read for anyone who might be on the fence about lethal force, not just women. Point a spouse or family member to this page if they're in that position.

Why a Gun?
If a criminal attacks me without provocation, why should he -- the aggressor, the malefactor, the bad actor -- get to choose which one of us survives our encounter? In initiating such extreme violence, the criminal has already chosen that at least one person will die or be seriously injured as a result of his acts. The law allows for lethal self-defense because wise people through the ages have recognized that in some circumstances, literally the only choice left for another person to make is whether the intended victim or the person who attacked her will be the one to survive.

There is something else, something perhaps more fundamental. I say more fundamental because at this point, those who are skeptical about the necessity of using lethal defensive force may be thinking, "Yes, but isn't there some other way?" And the answer is, not really. Not when innocent life hangs in the balance, and the attacker is both aggressive and determined.

Which Gun for Me?
Quality guns cost money. That's all there is to it. When it comes down to it, you may find yourself trying to find an ideal compromise between price and quality. I'm not hypocritical enough to say, as some do, "Well, how much is your life worth ...?" There's a lot more to the story than that, and I've been broke enough that we wondered how to finance the next trip to the grocery store. If you are in such a situation, you may have to make some hard choices -- but make them with your eyes wide open, aware of exactly what you are trading away and what you are getting in exchange. And don't be too quick to grab the first "bargain" gun that comes along. That's nearly always a mistake. If you're broke, you've got to spend twice as much time on research as someone who isn't broke. They can afford to make a mistake or travel down a blind alley in their quest for the perfect gun. When you're broke, you really can't afford that kind of waste.

I'll add that if you want to know how to get good guns cheap, I will write a piece about it and post it here soon enough. If you can't wait, freepmail me. I'll give you a few hints.

[Old Student]

My wife has always favored the .38 Special Charter Arms 5-shot 1-3/4” barrel. Says if it's good enough for John Lennon, it's good enough for her. At at any range up to about 15 yards, she can punch your lights out with it!

[Vinnie]

verga
I don’t know what kind of shorts you wear but a lightweight SW J frame is easy to carry in a front pocket. I do it all the time. Also cargo pants pocket, my favorite way.

freepersup.

Yes, a purse carry is an option but retention is a problem with that method.

I’m thinking of inventing ( in case it hasn’t been) the UTB carry. (under the boobs) :^)

[CholeraJoe]

David Berkowitz (aka Son of Sam) also used a Charter Arms revolver. “Street Proven.”

[Hugin]

Actually though I have seen my female cat, surprised by a German Shepard in our yard, puff up, back him down and chase him across the yard. Until the dog ran out of room to run, then, cornered, he turned, puffed up, and chased my cat back across the yard and over the fence. Funny as hell.

[Daffynition]

I can't emphasize enough the addition of CT laser grips to my S&W wheel gun. I went from accurate to deadly accurate. What a confidence builder when it is your carry-gun. ;)

[Uri’el-2012]

Model: 642
Caliber: .38 +P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Crimson Trace Laser Grips
Frame: Small - Centennial Style
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 6 3/8"
Material: Alloy/Stainless Steel
Weight Empty: 15 oz.

[Freedom2specul8]

Great thread! Thanks for the ping Joe.

I like the analogy to cats...no one ever WANTS to have to ‘maim’ another, but one has to do what one has to do.

Kim

[Uri’el-2012]

Lots of very detailed information in the article.

The one weakness is teaching the Cooper rules.

The Cooper Rules have been shown to be unsafe for most shooters.

[Lurker]

Thanks for the post!

L

[Freedom2specul8]

Just read a few pages ,IE: carrying to the dr’s office..

Great information so far! I’m definitely passing this along.

[LongElegantLegs]

I've been really happy with my Glock. Haven't got my permit yet, but I planned on
getting one of those vests with a special pocket to carry it.

[bmwcyle]

This is a great choice for women.

[pyrless]

The Glock G36 is a wonderful carry gun. Among the lightest available in .45 ACP stopping power. Perfect bra gun. I carry it in a shoulder bag with a back concealment pocket.

[Daffynition]

Nice choice! My Smith is a 649 ... just a step up in size from yours. In my hand, I like the heavier weight and can control it a bit better, especially for "rapid firing."

[MtnClimber]

Kathy is also a moderator (screen name PAX) at this firearms forum:

http://www.thefiringline.com/

[Uri’el-2012]

In my hand, I like the heavier weight and can control it a bit better, especially for "rapid firing."

When I first shot it, I was using 158 gr bullets.

Too much recoil.

I now shoot 110 gr Corban DPX +P

Recoil is very controllable.

[LongElegantLegs]

Mine is the 27. I dont think it would work as a bra gun, but I don’t foresee any trouble concealing it. It’s thick but tiny.

[blackie]

There work pretty good for concealed carry:

[pyrless]

Here’s some good sites for concealed carry purses, pouches, and bags.

http://www.skdtac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=902

http://www.shado.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=L

http://www.armsvault.com/productreviews_0009_crossbreedholsters_concealedcarryshoulderbag_jan08.asp

http://www.shado.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RHA&Category_Code=NP

http://www.ccwsupply.biz/CCWBeltPacksPage.htm

http://www.shado.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=T40&Category_Code=CP

http://www.holsterusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7&zenid=9675bcee5b2ce9c3ee8b5c1c9e68ad14

http://www.desantisholster.com/gunny-sacks—belly-bands—gun-caddies.html

[blackie]

Oops forget the link. >:-}

http://www.activeprogear.com/defender.html