Posted on 07/05/2005 10:00:25 AM PDT by vannrox
Works for me! LOL
Some other suggestions class gave was setting up a room that can be used like a safe room as much as possible. Having your weapon and ammo there, a phone that the line can't be cut through, flashlight, even house keys on a glowstick for the police to retrieve easily when you drop it down to them, and a solid door like oak or some special material that stops or slows down bullets. Can't recall what the material was, but it sounded like the same thing used on bullet-proof vests and very expensive to boot.
I will do a little bragging and say I have unusually quick reactions. I can always grab the dollar bill before it drops between my fingers and very few can do that.
I do remember one time when I was a kid, playing cops and robbers and was holding my cap gun on a friend. He surprised me by grabbing it before I knew what happened.
For that reason, I will never let a threat any closer than I have to.
When I worked for Civil Service, we were given some very basic self defense training. Our trainer was a national champion is some types of Japanese martial arts which I don't even know what they are.
Anyway I remember him saying that he would not try to overpower or take a gun away from an opponent unless he was sure the guy was going to shoot. Now if a person is dumb enough to let someone with reach, then they probably would be too slow to react.
To each his own. However, you might want to get a look at my subsequent posts for a bit of clarification on my position. :)
It all comes down to one thing... know what you are going to do before hand. Living in Texas, I am well within my rights to assume that anyone moving about INSIDE my domicile without my permission to be there is fair game. Get a clear eyeball on them, front sight post, steady squeeze.
Still doesn't beat being in a defensible position with a load gun and your finger on the trigger. A gun right there in your hand will always be worth more than a dispatcher on the phone.
Nope. I disagree. She did just right. Furthermore, she does not have to live with a guilty conscience because she shot someone.
Yep, you're right. And that was my point. You don't know if someone is in the house, but they may become aware that you are walking about, looking for the "noise."
Personally, the few times I had nothing for self-defense and aware that someone was about outside, I damn near panicked. (Even a little goofball knocking on our doors at night not too long ago just about sent me in a tizzy.) After getting handguns, I have walked around the house if I hear noises.
However, watching that video recently of a burglar shooting the owner who was checking up on noises about gave me a heart attack - how many times have I done that myself? So now there are extra precautions, like locked windows and such, so if someone tries to get in the house in the first place, it will, hopefully, be pretty obvious to me.
So darn many scenarios a person has to prepare for. Trying to figure out the "what ifs" now instead of later.
Read and understood. A guy with a weapon in a house he knows is occupied should get shot immediately when encountered.
Oh yeah, absolutely agree with you there! LOL Besides, it sounds like the gun and ammo are a lot cheaper than whatever these bullet-proof doors are made of! (I don't believe it was kevlar, though... Sorry, I simply can't remember what it was.)
Thank you for posting this wonderful article, vannrox! Another excellent example of a responsible gun owner defending their life and home.
One thing I noticed in reading the comments on this thread was that no one mentioned the fact that although a gun and a dog is your best line of defense, this woman came very close to making a dreadful, and potentially life-threatening mistake.
She said, "Less than two hours later my dog woke me with his loud barking. I was so angry that I scolded him harshly and was ready to spank him. He cuddled up next to me in a tight little ball as if asking for protection. He kept on barking, not toward the window, but into the apartment."
This woman's first reaction to her barking dog was not an uncommon one. She was first angry, then scolded him, then was even ready to spank the poor thing. If she had spanked him, and he had finally given up with barking and decided to just hide under the covers, the outcome could have been a deadly one.
So another important lesson learned in this story is to listen to your dog(s). Sometimes they might be pulling your leg, but rather than take a chance, check it out.
And don't try to clear a house by yourself
"And don't try to clear a house by yourself"
Good point! Years ago when we lived in a two story home with a narrow stairwell that led to the upstairs, my husband instructed me that if an intruder broke in and I was upstairs, I should NOT go downstairs but rather take my stand at the top of the stairs. At least I only had one area to focus on then. The bottom of the steps. And talk about a good shooting gallery. A load of buckshot, a stairwell, and you can't hardly miss.
Either way, one person can't sweep a home on their own and still watch their backside. Works great on t.v., but not in real life.
OK...but I still say, to each his own. :)
Depends on her state of residence. It would have been legal in Texas and several other states. Based on the cops reaction, this might be one of them.
However, the .38 is not a super good man stopper. Without really good shot placement, she might have just made him mad. The way it was it sounds as if he was about to wet himself, assuming he didn't when he first saw the gun.
You have the right idea. Eliminate the threat then think about what you could have done!
Please remember - the Akita knew her assailant and was probably confused. Especially if he had seen fights and feuds previously.
sp
The author of that article has a (very good) school in Los Angeles where he has this "knife attack" system. (Link is here: http://www.internationaltactical.com/index.asp)
Sometimes 21' is OK from the holster, but sometimes it isn't. The slightest little hitch with your draw and you'll be too late. Much harder at night. Anything under 10' is problematic from low ready. And forget about trying to run your mouth and get good hits on the guy at the same time.
And from 5', well, chances are that the bad guy could stick ya even if you hit him square in the chest.
well it's the 'red glow' which is giving him away, hummm, recall reading somewhere in some religious text of a religous sect, it's the sign of satan.... sounds like some of my ex's family members!
I see your point but we weren't there, she was. I trust her judgement.
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