Teaching Citizens Real Self Defense
ByI love seeing the news reports of a citizen using a gun and fighting back against their assailants. However, I’m really sick of hearing in the same reports a department spokesperson discouraging people from exercising their right to self defense. Generally, it goes like this:
Tina Smith was attacked in the mall parking lot by a man who was wanted for a string of rapes. The man, on probation for armed robbery, picked the wrong victim because Tina had a gun. When the man produced a knife and tried to force Tina into his car, Tina managed to draw her licensed .45 and permanently end his reign of terror.
“We’re glad Tina is ok,” said the police department spokesman. “But, we don’t encourage anyone to fight back.”
I’m sick of law enforcement fostering the victim mentality in the public.
What’s even worse, though, are departments that offer self protection training to the public (or more often just to women), but teach them tools that do not work. This fosters a false sense of security with techniques that will fail when they are needed most.
There are some departments that are teaching women to use their car keys to scratch a violent attacker. Some agencies suggest a woman urinate or defacate on herself to discourage a rapist. Others actively discourage weapons, most frequently guns, based on the erronious belief that the gun is more likely to be used on the woman by the assailant.
The fact of the matter is citizens are attacked by the same prison-hardened gang-bangers and thugs that attack and kill police officers. The citizens need similar training and tools if they are to survive a violent encounter.
I encourage departments to evaluate the training they offer citizens, and make sure it is realistic and not politically driven.
I encourage everyone to take a look at Women of Caliber, a blog about women, guns, and self defense. The author put together a great two part article called “Are You Prey for a Rapist?” The first article covers some of the basics about being aware and a less inviting target. The second part covers realistic self defense, such as don’t kick them in the groin…strike their windpipe!
Remember, our sworn duty is to protect the citizens in our community. We will not be there to protect them when they are attacked, unless we have trained them to protect themselves!
Stay safe!
6 Comments
May 21st, 2009 at 10:48 am
What a great blog post! Thank you for your mention of the Women of Caliber “Are You Prey for a Rapist” posts. It’s true - chances are that law enforcement won’t be there to help women defend themselves which is why it’s so important that women learn some skills to get out of sticky situations. Glad to hear you appreciated the information from Women of Caliber. http://tinyurl.com/7th2zp
July 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I’d also suggest this article set at “No Nonsense Self Defense”: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/rape.html
October 24th, 2009 at 2:02 am
after reading the marine corps manual for basic hand to hand combat, here are they only things you have to know. Kick them in the groin then punch them in the throat. real self-defense is very simple, its everything that is against the rules in MMA.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:11 am
Kicking a man in the groin is not a good defense. One, men are naturally very protective of this area, and will be, at least to some degree, ready for it. Try taking a playful swing at a friends’ genitals sometime. He will instinctively cover them, very quickly. A strike to the groin must also be on target, and clothing may obfuscate the actual target. Think about all those super-baggy pants. A swift kick to the upper thigh will not stop a determined attacker. Second, unless the strike is spot-on and forceful enough, a man could still retain enough “fight” to finish whatever he intends, and indeed be even more enraged. A strike to the throat is easier, usually not camouflaged by clothing, and if a man can’t breathe, he will stop fighting rationally, or at all, in almost every case. The quickest, dirtiest, and most destructive counter-attack is the best in a case where your life may be at risk.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:53 am
I’ll try to be brief. My mom [barely] fought off a rapist in Fresno one night who grabbed her and tried to drag her into the alley. He almost succeeded, but my mom carried a CONCEALED WEAPON (this is illegal) and stabbed him 6 times. He ran away scared and bloody. My mom took quite a beating and a few cuts of her own from the attacker’s knife. My mom banged on several doors before anyone was willing to help. When the police arrived, their first question was, “What are you doing out this late at night?” Now I carry a CONCEALED WEAPON–illegally–and I have no qualms about using it. Almost did one night…saved my pregnant girlfriend and I from a group of about 6 or 7 drunk thugs. The next group of thugs will not be as lucky. TO HELL WITH THE POLICE, I’m going to shoot and then go home. I neither need nor want their help.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Ben, I learned basic hand to hand combat in the Marine Corps. I carry a CONCEALED WEAPON because you are not going to go Bruce Lee on a gang of thugs. “Real self-defense is very simple”? Yeah, OK. What do you do when that doesn’t work? Have a backup plan, my friend.