[JillValentine]

Although a firearm is by far the most effective means of self-defense, I agree that martial arts training can be very effective and helpful - as a primary source of self-defense in places where guns aren't allowed, or as a way to buy that extra second or two to get at the gun.

And I would have loved to see a story about a wannabe thug getting his ass kicked by one of those black belt ladies.

[spinestein]

[And I would have loved to see a story about a wannabe thug getting his ass kicked by one of those black belt ladies.]



That did happen. Several years ago, one of our black belt ladies was attacked by a man in a parking lot after midnight; he pulled a knife on her and told her to get into his car.

She beat him down to the ground in a few seconds with some very aggressive kicks to the groin, ribs, neck and head, and he regained consciousness just in time to enjoy the trip to the hospital. She didn't get a scratch.

I'd like my daughter to take martial arts classes but you need a lot of dedication to really make it pay off-- and she's 13 right now with interests all over the board and she can't seem to pay attention to one thing for more than five seconds. :^)