If You Are Willing

“I want to protect myself but I don’t want to change my life that much.”

This is the statement that I was given by an intelligent, educated, young computer programmer. He was a 35 year old who was just starting to put on a little weight around his middle but still in pretty good shape. He understood the importance of self-protection but was not a gun guy. He was a computer guy. He was used to having problems put before him and him finding the solution. But he was not sure which way to go with self-defense.
We talked on the subject for some time. He finally came to the conclusion that he was ok with deadly force. He felt that a gun would afford him the tool for his needs. We talked about carry.
Not everyone can carry inside the waistband (IWB). You do have to change your life a little. Your pants generally should be one size bigger than you normally wear. Then you need a belt (also at least one size larger) to hold everything up. Then you need to experiment with holsters. Regardless of how you carry you will feel like everyone can see that you’re carrying. Although if you decide on an “outside” carry (hip, shoulder, etc.) you will have to dress different to keep things concealed. After all things are considered it comes down to “Is it concealed?” then, “Is it accessible?” then, “Is if comfortable?” Sometimes I think maybe comfort should be the first question because if you are not comfortable, you won’t carry.
One of the things that instructors need to remember is what we do is not self-serving. If you are a gun instructor because you’re a gun nut and it sounds like a “fun” way to make money and be around guns then you’re in the wrong business. Become good at competition and get sponsors if you want that life. Instructors are there for students. The regular guy. Not yourself or your shooting buddies. But to serve people. As an instructor I’ve sought out, and offered, alternate ways of self-defense. I’ve always taught heavily situational awareness and avoiding a fight. Other weapons that are less lethal are sometimes the best choice for those that are not willing to even think about killing another human being. I’ve had some that shied away from lethal choices say things like “I’d just shoot them in the leg.” Of course this is quite dangerous. If you have gone through many options and finally felt it was necessary to pull a gun, now is not the time to back-peddle on stopping the threat. Shooting someone in the leg is not stopping the threat. Being shot in the leg is no fun but you are still able to continue on. Certainly you can operate a gun. You may be able to keep moving and employ your knife or other close range weapon. I’m not saying you must shoot to kill, but you must stop the threat. If a shot to the leg doesn’t stop the attacker you may not have time to shoot to kill before he injures or kills you. So, your plan needs to include stopping the threat which ever option you use. There are many less lethal options:
Hand to hand combat. There are many disciplines out there. I like some and others, not so much. There are some that take years to master and others you can learn and practice techniques and be able to stop a threat without becoming an orange belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Learn these skills and practice often.
Pepper spray. I have a friend who has taught this for years and he has actually used it several times. He says, “Spray early, and spray often!” Using this weapon is not difficult but there is technique to it. There is also a right way and a wrong way.
Defense wand
One of the problems with this is it just seems like a club. This weapon can be very deadly if used improperly. There are “safer” targets than just smacking someone on the head. Make sure you get a quality product also. There are some cheap wands that may not do what they are supposed to do.
Stun gun
This requires a quality stun gun and good training.
Knife
This weapon can be very deadly and very messy! You must be trained correctly and know that if you have a hard time shooting someone, you’ll really have a hard time stabbing or cutting them!

Some of these weapons seem harmless but with improper use can, and have, killed. So don’t get a defensive wand and think you have no change of killing another human being. People have died from all of these weapons. No used properly, some of these weapons will stop an attacker and not kill them. But apart from good pepper spray, a taser gun, and a projectile gun, these weapons are up close and personal. Even pepper spray and a taser have limits that a bullet would not have.
Remember, you are completely responsible for using any of these weapons. Understand not only the psychological toll this can take on you, but the legal responsibilities.

If you feel you are willing to assume the responsibility of using a gun then know that you must learn how to “see it coming” or avoiding it altogether. The best fight is the one you never have. Fights are not pretty. If you’ve never been in one, ask someone who has. Often, two people lose in a fight. Defense is important but knowledge and having the tools doesn’t mean you won’t get injured or killed. That’s why I love avoidance.

Look for an instructor that will teach not only the safety, operation, and competency of shooting, but one who will teach it to you in a way that is good and right for you. Don’t think that if you take 5 classes from an instructor, buy his or her gun, holster and flashlight, that you will look, and function like them! Hopefully you find a serious instructor who is not into the Tacticool life. Find a system that will work for you. If you’re not really looking for another hobby then find an EDC (everyday carry) system that will work to keep you and yours safe.
I received my first paracord bracelet in the 80’s at jump school from an Army Staff Sargent who was in charge of parachute maintenance for the school. I wore it for 2 decades before someone saw it on me and called me a “prepper”. Trends come and go in the shooting world and you do not have to be part of the “gun culture” or “gun community”. I use paracord for everything because of its strength and functionality. So you’ll see it everywhere around my homestead. I joke with my wife, once I put paracord on something it is now known as tactical. So we have a “tactical mirror” in our shower. But you don’t have to so lame. If you have other interests and want a gun for defense, like buying a circular saw for cutting wood, then you need to learn competency with your gun and move on with your life. Hopefully your instructor can see and understand that. Not everyone is a 3-gun champion and knows who Jerry Miculek is. If you don’t that’s fine. There are a lot of things I don’t know about.
If you can’t find a comfortable way to carry your gun you might want to consider “off body” carry (OBC). I don’t care much for this type of carry but I’m not the one doing it. If you decide on this form of carry make sure you understand the addition thing you must do. One is you must know where your gun is at all times. You can’t leave your bag in a public bathroom stall! Of course that goes for all of us! But keeping control of the bag or whatever container your gun is in is imperative. One you don’t want to lose your gun. But two, and most important, you don’t want your gun in the wrong hands, as in children.
Another challenge to OBC is being able to access your gun quickly. In certain military combat zones you must not be more than an arms-length away from your weapon. Well that is probably a good practice with OBC.
Finding the right bag/purse/briefcase may also be a challenge. There are some great products out there but like holsters, you’ll have to experiment some to find what works for you and what you like.

All of this comes back to what you are willing to do to defend yourself and your family. The question of lethal force or not is a serious and important one. This a question that you must answer and answer honestly. Guns are not very good clubs and not good for much of anything else but shooting.
If you are willing, then there are many consideration you have to get yourself to a place where your gun is a defense tool. Being responsible is work and involves some money. It can be very rewarding or at the very least, life-saving.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn