Posted on 11/09/2021 3:41:15 AM PST by COBOL2Java
Due to handed-down stories and the movies, there have always been a lot of myths floating around about personal defense. Aside from the movies, people just tend to get reckless with the truth when they are telling about their adventures, adventures of associates, and adventures that they’re heard about. I guess it is human nature and there is not much that we can do about it. But I’m here to tell you that many of these personal defense myths can get people hurt, or get them in big trouble. Here, in no special order, are four personal defense myths that just won’t die. I’ve heard them all of my life and they just don’t seem to ever go away.
Women don’t need tiny pink guns in .25 or .32 caliber. What they need is the same thing that we men need—professional training and the most powerful handgun that they can shoot quickly and accurately. Guys might best refrain from shopping guns for the little lady and, instead, take her to a shooting range, let her shoot a number of good guns, and pick what she likes best. You’d just be amazed at the positive results.
A shotgun loaded with rock salt can cause serious injury and even death. In addition, regardless of what the gun is loaded with, you are discharging a firearm at a person. Your only justification for ever doing this is to prevent death or serious bodily injury. If your defense is that you used rock salt because you only intended to scare them and teach them a lesson, you may be surprised at the attitude of the court. Good luck with that defense.
We don’t carry a defensive handgun for when everything works out right. We carry a defensive handgun for when nothing works out like it was supposed to. Your defensive handgun should be adequate for handling the worst-case scenario. This is the reason that trained individuals carry the most powerful handgun that they can shoot quickly and accurately.
Yes, a .22 can be lethal. But personal defense is not about killing the person; it is about stopping the attack as quickly as possible, before anyone else is injured. Only a real defensive handgun can be expected to do this when properly applied.
We may chuckle at these and other personal defense myths, but they are out there and are believed by too many. The solution is to get your defensive information from trained individuals. You have made a commitment to carry a defense gun, but you should also make a commitment to get the necessary training needed to use it properly, safely and effectively.
Here’s another of my favorites: Keep your gun in the nightstand next to your bed for safety. :[ I had to argue bitterly with Mr K because of his belief in this “rule.”
I’ve had a gun in my nightstand for 20+ years. Is there some magic time of the night when the firearm jumps out and caresses your cheek or something?
I chuckle at the fact that anyone would write this crap and call it a defense myth.
What idiot would drag a body that they just shot to death, into their house and think that no one would know?
Who thinks that a woman should use a 22 for self defense?
These are four of the most ridiculous examples of "defense myths" ever posted.
The author needs assistance.
especially #4.
A guy I used to hang out with had broken into quite a few houses. Time and opportunity permitting, he would always check the nightstand to see if he could get a free gun out of the deal.
“...Keep your gun in the nightstand next to your bed for safety...”
Did you win the argument with Mr K and if so, where does he keep his gun? What role do you play on the home defense team?
You argued with Mr.K about the idea of keeping a loaded gun within easy access to his bed?
I assume you lost that "bitter argument"?
If Mr. K removed his gun both you and he are more at risk than before.
A pistol locked in a gun safe is worthless when the perp is at your bedroom door.
BTW, this is not a "rule" it is a decision that a gun owner makes, when he weighs two options.
You and Mr. K can keep your guns in a safe where the perp will also be safe.
I keep my S & W 357 Magnum and two speed loaders in my bed stand, and a 12 gauge in my walk in closet, with various other rifles, pistols and shotguns located around MY home.
My wife can shoot all of them and has done so on the range.
I particularly agree with #’s 1 & 4.
#1. Those small hand guns are very inaccurate. I had one of those little miniature semi-auto’s in 380 cal. It was a Ruger, model # started with an “L”. I literally could not hit a 55 gal drum at 25 feet. And with cal 380, you’d be better off throwing rocks. My weapon of choice is a Judge 45/410.
#4. Trying to scare someone away with a gun is just plain stupid. If you are hesitant or don’t know how to use it it will be taken away and used on you. Plus, never, ever pull a gun unless you are willing to shoot your opponent. I’ve been in self defense situations a couple times and always found a way not to pull out a gun. Whacking someone, even if in self defense, is a life changer. Ask any combat vet.
Whatever you do ..you have to have the mindset and be ready to attack.
Anytime anywhere. And at the same time maintaining a cool head.
Cautious without being paranoid.
Panicking in any situation is never good.
“... if you lie about that... you may be lying about the other stuff...”
Personally, I wouldn’t be lying if I said, “I was afraid for my life” and “I would like to speak to my attorney”. No way would I be answering a ton of questions that could be twisted later (depending upon the agenda of the D.A.). Just my 2 cents
The physically smaller weapon for woman was recommended for its easy concealability.
When I was in College, I had an X-military friend who slept with a 1911 45 auto under his pillow. Everyone knew it.
Is that overkill? It depends.
The 5 rules of a gun fight:
1) gun beats no gun
2) a hit beats a miss
3) fast beats slow
4) big holes beat small holes
5) two holes beat one hole
Learn them and understand them. If you cant clear a jam or run out of ammo, you have no gun. A .22 that hits is worth more than the .44 mag that misses. The first one to get their gun into the fight normally wins. Larger bullet holes bleed out faster. Two bullet holes also bleed out faster.
There’s a loaded gun in easy reach of everywhere in the house I spend time. Including my night stand.
Sure if somebody breaks in when I’m not there I’m sure they’ll look there. But so what. The important part is if they break in when I AM there I want to be able to leave the bedroom with something more helpful than my dork in my hand.
Mr K has had one training session shooting a gun and one cleaning the gun. He is not comfortable with firearms. I’m the one who does all that stuff; I’ve shot every kind of gun there is, just about, even machine guns, etc. I would not say I’m an expert but I have more than average familiarity.
I was the one who advocated him getting a gun; we argued about that as well. Then once he got one he got sore with me because I keep the gun with me all the time and he thought it should be kept in a nightstand because “what if you drop it?” (Like it might go off accidentally.) Stuff like that. If I have to leave the house and can’t take the gun with me, I unload it and hide the padlocked gun in one hard-to-find place and the clip in another.
I guess everyone wants to fight with me now, but: I didn’t say “if you keep a gun next to your bed you’re nuts.” I amended what I said because I know that’s where a housebreaker usually looks for a firearm.
A lot of people I’ve gone shooting with say “Don’t keep a loaded gun in the nightstand drawer next to your bed.” Once I met the guy who had broken into - by his report - more than 50 houses and apartments, I took this to be sound advice.
Clip? Magazine, please.
I’ve had my H&K 9mm USP Compact loaded with a magazine and one round chambered in my nightstand for 24+ years without ever having an issue. Even with 3 toddlers back in the day, I NEVER had any issues with unauthorized access.
Where should you keep it, under your pillow?
I’m with you, but let me suggest something to you: Folks on this site may be a tad smarter than some other folks you know. I can probably name you a dozen people within a couple minutes who believe at least one of these things. Seriously.
Just look for a big blowhard who wants to impress the ladies, and he’ll pass on anything that catches their attention. Dumb people always want to look smart, and in the right setting, they’ll repeat one of these things as gospel, and their friends will believe it.
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