Delta Force Personal & Family Defense

We Must Ban All Knives!

Of course the notion is silly; but the anti-gun lobby may want to look at this.

Man Armed with knife kills 10 in Philippines

5 children among victims in bizarre attack on family, neighbors, mourners

MANILA, Philippines - A man armed with a long knife killed 10 people, including five children, and wounded 14 more, during a rampage early Saturday in a central Philippine province, police said.

The man first attacked and wounded six members of his own family with whom he lived in a remote village outside Calbayog city in central Samar province around 2 a.m. local time, police desk officer Jessie Gianan said by telephone.

The man then barged into two neighboring homes where he stabbed and hacked at the sleeping occupants, then he returned to a wake where he had been drinking earlier and attacked everyone in his path, Gianan said.

Eight of his victims died on the spot and two died later at a hospital, Gianan said. Another 14 were wounded.

The man then surrendered to another villager who turned him over to the authorities. It was not immediately clear what prompted the rampage.

Knife-wielding man kills 10 in Philippines - Asia-Pacific - MSNBC.com

Link: Knife-wielding man kills 10 in Philippines - Asia-Pacific - MSNBC.com.

Concealed CARRY. Not.

In my state of residence, the handgun carry permit is not a concealed carry law. It is a permit it to carry a handgun, technically one of the make and caliber you used in the prerequisite class to qualify with. It says nothing about the weapon being concealed.

My personal classes strongly advocate concealing the weapon. Many people are not aware that provisions are made for carrying a weapon, and many criminals would like to know if you are carrying. It is not a deterent to display yur weapon openly, but it might be a cause for someone to challenge you, shoot you and steal your gun, or attack you and take it away from you. If you doubt this, do a little research on the subject, and you'll find an alarming high incidence of this happening to police officers who may be required to carry a weapon openly.

You lose any strategic edge that you may have by carry a concealed weapon. Once many years ago, I was returning home from a shooting competition held in a rural area of Tennessee. The place was big enough to have a Burger King, where I stopped to eat. I was famished. I was also wild looking with sunburn from the long summer meet. I was wearing one of my patent mesh shooting/concealed carry vests and wearing shorts. I often cut my own hair with a folding knife, and thereby go too long in between cuts.

My hair can be tamed even when fairly long under usual circumstances, but it gets touseled easily too. My eyes also stay bloodshot most of the time especially after being out in the sun for a while. So I probably was a very scary sight to the hamburger flipper who entered the restroom while I was washing up. He must have seen my 45, or another of my two weapons, which I take great pains to conceall for all the good reasons.

As soon as I saw the patrol car approaching and then two officers getting out, my antenae were up, whihc probably made me look nervous too. You should be nervous when approached by rural police officers or peace officers in general. They are not always the best informed about the legalities of carrying, and are very well endoctinatedabout the perils of armed encounters. I believe this to be one of the biggest dangers of carrying--the risk of being shot by a spooked officer of the law or a rookie.

These guys were okay though. They approached me casually and asked how I was doing. The senior of the two then asked if I had attended the competiton. I felt foolish, as I pride myself on discretion, but of course I kept my hands on the table and answered affirmatively. He then informed me that an employee had called in a complaint about an armed stranger  who looked suspicious. He didn't ask to see my weapon (nor would I have dared touch it if he had, although I would have invited him to check it himself, nicely). We all had a good-natured laugh and I went my way with their good wishes.

There was another instance when I was traveling interstate and had my weapon on the seat next to me. It does you no good if you can't get to it, in the event of a car-jacking attempt and what not. I was stopped by a stae tropper and told that a trucker had called in that a guy in a car had been "brandishing a weapon." The two instance taken together with the following story.

Maybe you know offhand who said, "Discretion is the better part of valor." I don't recall offhand, but they were not twits. The following post from a fellow member of the Tennessee Firearms Association relayed this message and it further ilustrates my point.

One of our TFA members, Giles Dye,  noted that J Floyd's Golf and Guns was posted.  Most of you probably didn't notice as it was only for a short period of time.  I was in the store on May 22d and it was not posted.  As you can see from the following, some nut entered the store openly brandishing a loaded weapon and it scared the clerk who put up the signs.  Even though the law does not specify "concealed carry," it still is a good idea to keep the handgun out of sight. Exposing it, just because you can, doesn't mean it is a dandy idea, and, in many cases you will be asked to leave as you are scaring the other patrons.  In extreme cases you may find yourself staring down the barrel(s) of guns wielded by the local police.  As one twit once said, "discretion is the better part of valor."

Bill Noll

TFA

www.wrightplace.com

Cheaper Than Dirt

I have mentioned www.cheaperthandirt.com before; they are a good source for emergency preparedness supplies. They also have the necessary parts to convert an old Remington 670 12 guage shotgun into a new hi-tech home-defense combat style shotgun. Be aware of the legalities of such in your area. I must also tell you that it is a violation of Federal gun laws for anyone other than a gunsmith to make these easy cosmetic alterations. Use your best judgment.

But the item I now have to review is the Italian military surplus blankets for $11.00. Having purchase one, I will purchase as many as I and my extended family might ever need for generations. Other than the heavy odor of moth proofing (which will disperse overnight if you drape it in your garage), these are clean, freshly pressed well-packaged 100% heavy wool blankets. As I have previously noted, 100% wool blankets are one of the few materials that will keep you warm even if it is wet.

This is one of the best buys in the universe. Do yourself a favor and buy at least ten of these blankets. You will find many other useful items on their web site and in their catalog. Load up. MRE's. Large parachute bags, which are ideal for packing your family 36 hour emergency preparedness kit in. You don't have to do it all at once. But by paying 30bucks to join their Buyers Club you'll get a discount along with a few other perks.

www.wrightplace.com

Ramification of Gun Legislation

TENNESSEE FIREARMS ASSOCIATION, INC.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE

Your doctor could put you on no-gun list
Congress fast-tracks plan to let physicians ban weapons ownership

Posted: June 21, 2007
11:04 p.m. Eastern

By Naomi Laine
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

The House of Representatives has fast-tracked new legislation to "improve"
the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by allowing doctors
to now decide who can own firearms.

The proposal, H.R. 2640, was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy,
D-N.Y., in the wake of the April tragedy at Virginia Tech, when a gunman
shot and killed more than 30 people, then killed himself.

If the Act passes in the Senate, it would provide grants so states can add
the names of criminals to the NICS system, which would label them as unable
to own firearms, but it also flags those with medical or psychological
issues as unfit to possess a gun.

The plan allows names to be entered into the NICS system based solely on a
physician's diagnosis or prescription of a medication: adults who have
taken Ritalin and soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would be
classified as mentally ill and given the same opportunity to own firearms
as convicted felons: None.

Gun Owners of America is one of only a few organizations alerting consumers
to the implications.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56311

"You should not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will
convey if properly  administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would
do and the harm it would cause if improperly administered." Lyndon Johnson,
36th President of the U.S.

John Harris
Exec. Dir - TFA

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com

http://www.tfaonline.org/memberforum

NOTE: To remove yourself from this mailing list, please send a request with the word "remove" to [email protected] and you will be automatically removed from the list.

If you want to modify your status with the TFA Egroup, you must go to http://www.yahoogroups.com/list/tennfirearmsassoc and change your account options at that site.

Reading Attack Postures

To get the full benefit of this blog, you should go to the beginning and read forward, as many self-defense principles build on earlier ones. I have stated more than once that good manners can diffuse or prevent personal attacks. But not all. Misdirected anger is often at the root of violent attacks.

A guy may endure a chewing out by his wife, then he gets a speeding ticket on the way to the store, and finally he perceives that you have cut him off as you made a left turn in front of him into a parking lot. Never-mind that you perceived that you had plenty of time to clear his vehicle, and never-mind that he was speeding. Actually an incident similar to this happened to me a few years ago.

I was parked and had gotten out of my car to go into a shop when a man screeched his car to a stop blocking my way. I paid little attention to this action other than attempt to go around the car. A guy much taller than me got out of the car and blocked my way and started cursing me out for "cutting him off." I didn't feel that I had done so, but I try to avoid altercations at all costs. I apologized to him, saying something like, "I didn't realize that I caused you problems, but I am sorry if it did."

That wasn't enough for him. I'm not sure what he wanted, but I listened to him saying something about disrespecting him and almost causing a wreck, which I know was not the case. Still I quelled rising irritation and in the most sincere tones that I could muster, I again apologized for any problems that I had caused him. I ignored his cursing response and tried to disengage from him and to continue into the store. I apologized to him and told him that I would be more careful in the future. Four or five times I swallowed my pride and apologized to him. Each times he rejected my apology.

It is my business to know how to read attack posture. This guy was in a classic attack stance. It is not hard to recognize. His right foot was substantially behind the other. Had he been left-handed, his left foot would have been the one behind. His feet were about shoulder width apart. He was looking away from me, upward and to the right; he was weighing the affect of attacking me. He was in a struggle between his logic and his emotions. His right-hand was behind him and his body twisted in that direction. This can be especially dangerous as many men carry a knife, fist-load, or gun in their back pocket or the small of their back.

His body and his mind were cocked and ready to explode into an assault on my person. Other signs can be agitation, strained voice, silence, fidgeting, looking around to see who is watching. I was a good six to eight feet from this guy. Still, being this close is in the danger zone, as the distance could be closed in one heartbeat, especially by this tall young man pumped with agitation. It's a dangerous position to be in. I knew that I had to do something to distract him from following through with his assault. I had already apologized to no good affect. I made a split second decision to take a different tack. His mere thinking about what I would say would slow and perhaps halt his attack.

This was an angry young man, physically fit, maybe a basketball player judging from his height. He was of a minority who in my area is known to be volatile and violent. I knew that his beef was really not with me. I just happened to be the last straw in a rough morning--or so I supposed. What I said may or may not have been the ideal response, but I was ready to either diffuse his attack or to provoke an attack on cue, so that I could counter it on my terms. Reading the body language forewarned that he was a step away from throwing a hard, weight-assisted and probably wide forward punch. I was prepared to counter and deal with this action.

"Look man," I said. "I don't know what is eating at you. I don't think I really am your problem. I was comfortable that I was making a safe turn, even though you were speeding, but I have been civil enough to apologize to you repeatedly." I let that soak in about two seconds before continueing.

"Now if you are going to hit me, have at it, if not I am going inside, but don't mistake my good nature for fear. You are jacking with the wrong person."

The guy relaxed his stance in order to reply. That's what I wanted. His hands were then both visible to me. At least he didn't have a knife or gun in hand. He looked like he was twice as tall as me. He was clearly my physical superior--which doesn't necessarily mean anything in an altercation.

He responded in disbelief with his voice high and cracking. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. I said you are jacking with the wrong guy!" I responded to his challenge.

He was not speechless, he was just so incensed that he spoke incoherently. He seemed to not fully comprehend the incongruence of what he was hearing. Here was a shorter out-of-shape looking old guy calmly telling him to get on with it, but planting a seed of doubt as to who he was dealing with. I was no longer apologizing, but challenging him and warning him that he was about to get more than he had bargained for. He was confused. This was the affect that I was hoping for. I stood my ground and didn't avert my gaze. I was feeling my on upsurge of adrenaline, and was directing it into controlled anger, not fear.

The guy again resumed an attack posture. From his body language I could tell that he was probably a fairly competent street fighter, but that he had no martial arts or boxing skills, or he was either too confused and mad to employ them. He was unwittingly broadcasting his intent. The danger of attack was not over. He was again looking up and to the right. That's where an attacker looks when he is trying to formulate an attack strategy.

As for myself, I had my usual gun concealed under my jacket on my right hip.I may have had as many as tow other, as Ioften do. I had multiple knives designed for quick deployment. I also had my cane in my right hand. Had the young man attacked, my cane was my best bet. I would have been unable to produce my gun or knife until after he had thrown an initial punch. I also didn't want to kill this guy. He was just having a bad day. However, I was not going to be killed by him either or even take a beating by him. I am old and sick and out of shape. He was young, athletic, and bigger than me. This would have comprised a disparity of force, which would have likely made self defense with deadly force a reasonable response to his attack. But shooting someone carries a whole lot of problems with it under the best of circumstances. I avoid such at all costs.

I am a competent fighter, schooled in a lifetime of real martial arts. but I have no wind and I would have to disable him quickly or I would have nothing left. I would probably have side-stepped his forward attack to this outside and hit him in the ear with an open palm and administered and arm bar on him from a solid platform while he was off balance. I had practiced this a gazillion times and was comfortable with it. I might have followed up with disabling knee and elbow blows to his chest and face which my arm bar would have forced within striking distance. I would have probably then taken him to the ground and, depending on his response, either held him at bay, or smashed his face with my heel repeatedly while breaking his arm. I don't fight for fun. I spar for fun, but if I am provoked into a fight, it is for keeps. Defensive maneuvers have to be handled with this mindset, or you will fall short of your goal of neutralizing the threat.

Had my opponent managed to hit me and get me in a headlock, a common move for a limber tall guy to use on a smaller profile opponent, I knew how to turn that against him. It is also why I carry a barely legal quick-opening folding knife in both back pockets. Depending upon the direness of my circumstances, I might have produced a knife to break the hold if required. The fight would have then been over quickly. I didn't want to do this for the same reasons that I didn't want not shoot him.

I resorted to a sharply confident voice command. "Stop now! You are out of control! Get hold of yourself." His attack posture was again relaxed slightly, but he was still mad and braced. "You can't just attack me because you think I;m a bad driver. " I tried to appeal to reason. "I have apologized, but I am not going to let you jump me for no good reason." My tones were even,y matter of fact.

Then I dropped the bombshell. "I am not your average white guy. You are real close to dying. Do you know that? I eat hot-tempered boys like you for lunch!" His eyes blzed, as I followed in a more conciliatory tone.

"I didn't want any trouble, but now you've pissed me off, so if you feel froggy leap."

The guy was pissed beyond belief. At that point I was resigned that I would have to deal with an impending attack and was trying to provoke it and get it over with. I considered taking his knee out with a swift kick, which I is almost a given if a knife is produced. That usually ends a knife fight.But in this case I didn't want to be guilty of the first contact. A crowd had gathered outside the shop.

"Call an ambulance," I said loudly, but without panic, to the crowd, never breaking eye contact with the kid. "Then call the police."

For the first time, the guy seemed to gather his senses and look around at the crowd. Then he dodged me and opened his car door. I placed my hand at the ready on my 45, because I was afraid he was getting a gun. He will never know how close he came to being shot at that moment. However, due to my firearms training, I identified the object before taking any radical action.

Instead he had retrieved a cell phone. Then he dialed 911and asked for a police dispatch to the location. I knew the danger was probably over. He was looking for a graceful way out.

"Great" I said, I'll be curious to hear what you tell the police when they get here. I am going inside. I'll be here. But if I were you, I wouldn't be."

I went inside, keeping an eye over my shoulder on the guy. I was still pumped full of adrenaline and was probably walking like a hackled dog. It only enhanced my projected danger as the crowd stepped aside. I went inside and told the guys who were watching out the door what was up,in a sentence. I browsed and consciously tried to relax. I stayed inside until the clerk told me the police were there. I went outside to find the guy no where in site. I filed a report of what happened and that was that.

There are general /guidelines about what to do in such situations, but ultimately you must make split judgments based on your impressions. Body language speaks loudly if you are attuned to it. Intonation does to. Apologies go a long way towrd diffusing hurt pride or anger, but when it fails, you must read and predict all alternatives and act on your best instincts. I believe under such situations, we have a sixth sense which is greatly heightened. I recommend that you listen to your inner voice and follow it. Mine has never let me down.

Sun Tzu and The Art of War

This ancient Chinese general wrote a book about war strategies, which is studied by militaryists the world over. As a young man, Sun Tzu was a master martial artist. A story is told of those who observed him deal with a stranger to his villiage who had no idea of his martial prowess. The stranger and his entourage met him in the street and told him to step aside. Sun Tzu complied without comment. The bully then proceded to order Sun Tzu around, mistaking his compliance for fear. With each increasingly absurd request, Sun Tzu complied until he was following the man's orders to crawl around in the dirt and squeal like a pig, even crawling between the man's legs, much to the delight of the man and his entire entourage.

There is not other shoe to fall in this story. That's it. The man tired of his supposed humiliation of Sun Tzu and went on his way. The story never tell whether the man ever realized who he was messing with.

When asked by one of the townsmen who knew Sun Tzu, why he had endured such humiliation, the master replied. I was not humiliated. I could ahve killed the man and his guards at any time. I know that, it doesn't matter what other think. Besides, why should I let one such as him cause me to react in a way that I don't want to. It is I who was in control. Then he added. Pride is a terrible thing.

This story illustrates the depth and wisdom of the great warrior Sun Tzu. Another priciple that Sun Tzu taught was that when facing an opposing army on the battlefield, make your show of force so evident that the battle is won before it ever starts. It is no accident that both gulf wars started this way. Our generals were consciously following this principle taught by Sun Tzu.

sometimes this can be achieve in a personal defense situation. That's why I have previously written in this blog about ways to make yourself a "harder target". That's why I am seldom found without some object such as a cane or umbrella or steering wheel lock or bicycle chain in my hand. It gives me the appearance of having an edge that will have to be reckoned with.

The same is true when it comes to home invasion psychology. A securiity service sign outside can help. A dog can act as a deterent. I watched a rerun of Crockedial Dundee recently. I love the part where the gansta pulls a formidible switchblade, totally intimidating Dundee's NYC girlfriend. dundee just smiled and said, "That not a knife, this  is a knife," as he pulled out his gigantic Bowie knife. The guy fled. I used to keep a 454 Raging Bull with a red-dot scope which could be easily retrieved in the event of a home invasion. This weapon, especially with the scope,is one of the most monsterous and scary looking guns you'll ever see. It was not peasnt to shoot, but if shot at a charging bear, it had the power to bowl him over. Basically it was a pocket cannon.  this trick of intimidation was not lost on the creators of Dirty Harry bakc in the day either. the 44 magnum was then the most powerful handgun in the world.

For home defense I now use a modified Remington 870 shotgun. It has an extended magazine tube, to hold eight 12 guage shells a short barrell (still over 18 inches to be legal), a mean looking heat sheild on top of the barrell as well as a military-style flash hider on the muzzle. It has no shoulder stock, but a pistol grip instead. The pump mechanism also has a pistol grip which is outfitted with a remote control switch to the laser dot aiming point mounted under the muzze. To the right of the muzzle it has a bright white light. It also has a mount on the receiver, which I can quickly attach a night vision sope to.

This rig is not only the ultimate in self defense due to all of its capabilities, it also looks the part. If someone broke into my house by day. one look at the rig and they'd probably give up. If they broke in at night, the red dot that would appear on their chest would also give pause. As would the bright shite halogen light. The white light is mounted to the right side. I am right-handed. If they shose to shoot at the light, the shot would got to the right of me, hopefully, if they are a decent shot anyway.

To make this weapon all the more intimidating, I have a bandelero sling on it which holds it over my shoulder. The bandelero sling is loaded up with twenty-five additional shotgun shells. I can't conceive of ever needing more than eight shotgun shots for a home invasion, but the bandero adds to the intimidation factor.

But it is more than jus looks. With the night vision on it, I couls slip around undetected in the dark and see my oponent without being seen. ThenI could train the red dot on him, and unless he heard me or was looking straight at the laser, he wouldn't even know ehre it was coming from. If the deterence efforts are not enough, the lethal firepower exceeds any handgun available. I keep my rig loaded alternately this way: Slug, Slug (don't won't to tear the house up if I don't have to.) #9 birdshot (for maximum coveage), #.oo buckshot, #.00 buckshot, slug, #6 small game shot, slug. This will take care of just aobut any five people that happen to invade my home.

www.wrightplace.com

But I have at least tried to spare them through the intimidating looks of my weapon.

Another Source for Supplies

Offered by the same people who operate Cheaperthandirt.com, The Sportsman's Guide is a military surplus outfit as complete as any I have encountered. From rugged clothing, camping equipment, and optics, to specialized handmade Puma knives Kevlar helmets www.sportsmansguide.com (1-800-888-3006) provides many products gleaned from the modern military of the world. The prices are exceptional foremost items. If you are a member of the Cheaper than dirt club, you are eligible for the same additional discount.

Some other items of interest for emergency preparedness are wool blend blankets ($5), bright LED flashlights, utility rope, Military Ready to Eat (MRE's) rations, Goretex boots for less than $70, and competitively priced ammunition of various calibers and grades are just a few items found here. Get on their mailing list and you will receive a print catalog periodically as well.

One way to Defend Yourself

I used to teach a young man who was my youngest daughter's age. That would make him about 26 now. My daughter saw him recently and as they chatted, he related an incident that happened a few months ago. This young man is pretty stocky and and solid, but a nicer, milder mannered young man you'd never meet. He had stopped at a McDonald's in a marginal area of the city.

A big rough looking guy came up to him and stuck a gun in his face and demanded his wallet and his keys. Bill had thought this scene through before and that's often all it takes. Remember, for all but a rare few, it is much harder to react than it is to act. In this case, Bill acted consciously as he'd been taught. Without hesitation he smacked the guy with a right hook square on the side of his head.

The guy didn't shoot him, he hit the concrete like a ton of bricks. Bill kicked the gun, which had fallen next to him, away, jumped into his car and split. He called the incident in to the police who quickly responded, but the guy was gone. Good enough outcome for me.

I'm not saying that this is the correct procedure in every situation, but probably for most. Recall my Delta System of Defense. To revue, imagine the Greek letter Delta, which is sort of like a triangle-D, for lack of a graphic, each point representing your choices when attacked. 1) First option is to Do Nothing, and Probably Die. 2) Progress to Distract, Depart, Dodge & Dart, and this should greatly enhance your survival chances, statistically. 3) The final option is to Distract, Disable, Depart, Dodge & Dart.

The third option is the one that my young friend chose. Thankfully it worked.

To prove this method to yourself, get a partner to arm himself with a water gun. Tell him that you are going to either knock it away or disarm him. Even though he is at ready, which a real opponent will not be, odds are in your favor that you can knock the water-gun away and/or Disarm him, and Depart, Dodge, and Dart, without him being able to get you wet.

Another drill is to use a water-soluble magic market as a knife and try the same thing. I might add that even if you are injured,your likeihood of taking a bullet or a blade in a vital area vastly decrease with this maneuver. No one wants to get shot or stabbed, but if it is going to happen, you are much better to make the mug work for it, possibly hurt him or her in the process, and take the blade or bullet on your terms, which is less-likely tp be fatal.

Maybe that doesn't sound real good, but the truth is, statistacally speaking, that only one out of elen gunshot wounds are fatal. I don't know what the stats are for knife wounds, but I would guess them to be much beeter odds in your favor. It sounds like a feeble argument, but it really doesn't hurt that much to be shot or stabbed, at least not immediately. Your body has an amzing capacity to shut down pain and shock while you are pumped with adrenaline and taking positive survival measures. For sure, you will need fairly immediate medical attention in some, if not most cases. But the odds for survival and even full recovery are very good. Let me add too, as a competitive combat shooter with a lifetime of practice, I'm not sure I could hit s zig-zagging person on the flee. And gang-bangers generalloy don't get that much practice.

Remember, the remedy for being shot or stabbed requires surprise, distance, unpredictable movement, and cover, if and when available. All of this advice is assuming that you are not armed yourself. And it doesn't really matter whethr there is one assailant or ten, one will be the leader, usually weilding the weapon. Even if the whole group has the presence of mind to produce weapons and use them, they will all be surprised and at even more of a handicap than the leader. As a kid, living in the wilds and watching friends to shoot into a tight and thick flock of starlings at close range with a scattergun full of 30 or so projectiles per shell, I have often marvelled at how seldom any of the birds would be hit (I never participated in such useless wasting of life, as I hadbeen strongly taught not to).

It takes some live practice, but gutsy as it is, you can actually grab a handgun in a way making it unable to fire, twist it our of an opponents and, and fire it at your opponent, even oriented upside down. I can also almost always disarm a ready opponent by under-handedly striking the bottom ofhis his knife-wielding arm close to the elbow with the back of my out stretched hand.

You might think that the opponent would be able to respond quickly enough to cut you with a forward thrust of the knife. This is never what happens. His automatic and involuntary action will cause him to withdraw his hand toward himself. It is the slickest thing, but with your hand flat and waiting, the grip of the knife will enter your hand as you either strip it away or actually close your hand on it and turn it on your opponent.

Another fairly sure defense to a weapon-wielding assailant is to quickly stomp foward and down at his shin at near the knee or lower, riding it down with your full forward weight to smash his instep. You may follow this with a low, natural side kick to his opposite knee, taking a small, weight-shifting step forward and, as you do--using both hands to shove the opponents chest; his knees are weakened and he is instinctively going into an involuntary retreat. Your foot is still anchoring his instep in place or at least causing him to pull backward and off-balance. He almost certainly godown and often is propelled a good ten feet or more from you.

I used to have a friend who liked to bar fight. He had been cut quite a few times in the process. He learned what he claimed was a sure-fire method of dealing with a knife attack. He said with a big goofy grin, "Just keep hitting them in the face. They'll drop the knife." I'm guessing this to be nore or less true. They won't be thinking about stabbing you while their face is being pounded, they'll be trying to protect their face and stop your blows. "Just keep hitting him and he'll drop that knife," my firend said.

What the guy was referring to is called automatic behavior. Automatic behavior is involuntary and can't be helped. Another example is that if you are in a headlock, you can reach your hand over your opponent's head and stick a thumb or finger into an eye-socket (there are many other effective pressure points as described elsewhere in this blog), or with a man, you can slug, grasp, and twist his testicles.  He has no choice but to act automatically. Then you can administer other blows and make good your escape. These techniques are generally nottaught in formal Martial Art Sports, as they are not allowed in competition. But these types of actions form the foundation of real combat self-defense training taught to the military of the world. I call it "Maim-and-Kill-do".

I have contempt for most of what I call pseudo-martial arts that teach elaborate maneuvers for various defenses. They seldom work, unless you are a professional fighter or a martial arts master. Your body undergoes physiological changes under the influence of adrenaline. You get stiff and have tunnel vision. Kicks should not be higher than the knee and strikes with the fists and elbows should be fairly lateral and natural. Exceptions to this is if you have practiced a maneuver hundreds or thousands of times over years until it become natural muscle-memory. Even then, you must know to agress beyound the level used in competitive sports.

Of course if you follow my number one rule and carry an object that can be used as a weapon, it makes a huge difference. It can be used to strike and inflict serious distraction, pain, and provide time to escape. One of my favorite objects is a steering wheel lock (maybe too heavy for those of slight build). It is about the length of a Filipino fighting stick, made of solid steel and quite heavy. One blow to an arm or a head can disable or even kill you opponent. Killing is not your object, but if you are defending against a weapon or a much larger opponent, it is totally justified. It is also better than dieing.

Visualize scenarios periodically. The metro section of any largecity newspaper will be full of them. It is proven that imagined experience is often as good as the real thing. I must admit that I have been a student and instructor of self-defense for most of my life. I may also be a bit compulsive-obsessive. But when I have a few minutes doing nothing in particular, or as I am going to sleep, I am often visualizing some scenario or maneuver. While I don't necessarily recommend this approach, I credit this procedure with saving my life many times. My life-style has not been typical, but just a little such foreh=thought will go a long way toward preparing you for what is statistically inevitable

In summation, the main thing is to make your mind up to REFUSE to be a victim.

www.wrightplace.com

I am Wright!: This is the type of thinking we are Fighting!

Link: I am Wright!: This is the type of thinking we are Fighting!.

Suppose you live near Memphis Tennessee (or any other city). You are the mother off three small children under the age of 11. Two girls--one boys. You enjoy the arts. The Broadway Annie musical is in town for the last night and you want your children to see it. They are very excited. Your husband agrees and picks up the very expensive tickets for the four of you on his way home, although, he has previous work engagements and can't attend with you.

You seldom go to the inner city. But The Orpheum Auditorium is where most such events are held. You barely know your way around, so you leave early. Unfortunately, others got there first. The well-lighted, and securely fenced area is too full to park. You drive around looking for a space. The kids are getting fussy--thinking you have passed up the play-house for good. You have five minutes to make it to the start of the musical.

Finally, one street off of the street that the Orpheum is on, you find one parking space; it is a short walk around the corner. The street is fairly well-lighted, but secluded. This is the only space, as many cars have parked there--obviously over-flow parking for the play. You have always been a little nervous about the inner-city, but assure yourself that you are merely spooked because you are out of your element. You sure don't want to frighten they kids by acting frightened.

After only a slight hesitation, you park and decide to hurry the kids the 50 yards or less to the corner, and plan to walk comfortably down the side-walk to the play-house. The kids are excited and distracting you. You hurry toward the corner. Bobby trips on a shoelace and starts to cry. You go to his aid while his sisters both fuss at him and try to help him.

"Mom", your oldest says after a monmets delay. You ignore her while you tie Bobby's shoe. 

"Mom.", Tanya says again--louder--demanding. You fixBobby's  shoe and look up at Tanya--mildly irritated, but this emotion gives way to total panic.

Walking slowly toward you are three rough-looking young men. One is carrying something--but your eyes can't yet focus and take it all in. You are caught totally by surprise. They must have watched you round the corner and met you before you could make it to the side walk. 

You glance around. No one else is there. You can't believe this is what you may fear, but your instincts have the hairs on the back of your neck raised and you are getting slightly breathless. The two younger kids are still fussing. 

Bobby, barely four, says," Hi," to the approaching strangers. 

You try to shush him, but know it looks silly--only raises your apprehension. You decide to try to ignore the group and  hope to brush past them.

"Well, HiI there yerself! . . ." the biggest, oldest -looking of the three says back. 

"You sure do have a pretty momma---oooowweee and look at da prett--tie liddle girrels . . 

Lori, you seven year old, says, "Thank you."  She smiles at the boys.

"Eemm-huhh, dats what I'm talking about,", another of the juveniles says in exaggerated gangsta street talk.

  He is almost albino-fair with hair punked. He has a big earring, and a  deep scar on his pitted face. He is wearing a sleeveless dirty black and whiie tee-shirt with an obscene slogan on the front. He has intricate tattoos all over his arms. He is repulsive to you.

You are scared. You want to scream. But you feel too foolish. They really haven't done anything to you. But your intuition is reading their menacing body language loud and clear. You hurry to get by them.

"NO . . .  I'm kindda like'n Momma best"--says the first one. He is smiling wickedly and looking you squarely in the eyes. 

You try to avoid his bold stare.

"What do you want?" You hear your own voice speaking  without volition. It is stressed and almost a whisper. You know what they want.

"Go away!" You say more firmly. "Leave us alone!"

"Mommy, what's wrong?  Mommy? " Bobby says.

"I tell ya what.  Let's make a deal? You come walk with me a while . . . .and I'll leave your kids be?"

"Nutthin doin!! You can have da momma bitch, but I'm taken this cute liddle babe and we gonna walk down by the riverside. Got sumpin to show my princess. Sumpin goood!"

"Okay den. you guys. I takes the other little girl widt me. I kike her just fine. She  da pretty one. What ya name dolly? Dat's right . . . come to uncle Money."

"Kids stay put. Listen to Momma These are bad boys. You get away from us. Now!"

Your throat is dry. You voice is clearly shaken. You will scream if you can get your breath and make it loud.

"You guys ahh sickos. But dats okay widch me. Mommas' lookin finer ebery miit.  My, my, my. Momma come to Daddy now." 

The rough boys move in and start touching you and the kids. They all laugh loudly. The oldest one puts his arms around you. The other are grabbing the girls--who don't know what to think. 

No one is coming. No one can hear. You are petrified . You MUST act. You MUST DO SOMETHING NOW! What? 

"Gets your hands off me! Leave the girls alone. You are just teenagers. What would your mother think!"

 

The increasing pitch of your shrieks are met with howls of laughter and delight and excitement from the boys. This is not having the effect you wanted. Bobby is the first to start crying.

"Okay Now. It's okay. Don't cry little man. It's okay. Momma's gonna take care of us all. Right Momma? HERE' s the NEW DEAL. Get it!  NEW DEAL. It's like in history lady. Theodore ROOOSevildt!."

No. Dummy." say's the smaller one." You don't know no history fooo! It ain't Teddy Roosevelt. It's da udder one!

The boys are collapsing onto themselves in hysterical laughter. They continue to man-handle you and your daughter's. It is out of hands. You manage a weak, screeching, scream! It is not what you were trying for.

"She's history." 

The middle juvenile. Flashes a big silver blade.

"Nahh, man, she fine."

"Damn Lady. That all you got. Dat sounded terrible. Makin me wanno see what else ya got in dare."

"Da bitch betta shut-it. Ahh I gonna make her scream for real!"

You are sure you are going to throw up if you don't faint fist. This is not  supposed to happen. You are a good mother and wife. You' re a soccer mom. You have a Masters in Elementary Ed. You belong to the PTA, and you take cookies to girl Scouts on Wednesdays. 

You have younger brothers this age. They can't DO this! 

Can They?

" Okay sweet Momma. Dis is how it is! You keep cool, right! Just chill. okay?" 

"The NEW deal is like dissss . . . " 

"You give me yer purse first off. Right? Dat's good. Dat's right! Yeah. Yeah. Dat's what Zebo's talk'n 'bout! Good girl!

Now we take you and the liddle beutifuls, my, my, little beauty-bitches . . . for a walk down by da riva-side. "

"Uh-hu. Dat's it. Dat's right! We not gonna hurt you fine girls."

"We'll let the little man come watch for a while--then we let him go." 

" Come on now. Dat's it. NO, We not gonna hurt-cha. It'll be fun. You KNOW it will. Dat's rigtht." 

"No, sweetie, we not gonna hurt ya.You just relax. Ya gonna like what old Zebo is gonna do for ya. Ya daddy probably does just like it. Ain't dat right momma.?"

"Come-on. it'll be over in a liddle while. Itta  be fun. It's okay."

You feel helpless. You have no choice. You have no plan. You can only hope that the juveniles let your  children go. 

"Please. Please. Don't hurt my kids. Please. Take me. But please don't hurt my babies." 

You are sobbing, begging. The three boys have managed to steer you further toward the dark of the building opposite the corner where the side-walk is. You know the river-side is near. And oblivion. You are confused. The ugly talking boys somehow seem so nice now. Maybe they will not hurt you that much. You've screamed. You've tried to fight. They are bigger. Stronger. 

The oldest , biggest boy--cradles your weeping face like a child. His arms envelope you. His speech is soft and comforting. You know it is a lie but you want so desperately to believe.   

" Momma. Momma. He's got his hand on my pee-pee. Momma.  momma is this okay? Momma? I don't like this."

"Shhheee. Momma's busy. Sure it's okay. Come on we just need to go a little farther around the building were we can get comfortable. It'll be fun. You'll like it. I KNOW I'm gonna like it. You can either be nice and like it--or I can hurt you with this. See. See this sharp knife. I don wanna cut you--but it's up to you and Momma"

"See Momma like it. she's hugging old Zebo. See dat. It's okay." come on just a little farther." 

"Dat's right. It's up to Momma--whethere we hurt you kids are if we all have fun."

"But we want to see Annie!" Tanya is still protesting diplomatically. You can hear her fear. You wonder if she knows how afraid she should be.

"I got ya Annie. You gonna have more fun than Annie. come on now. Dat's it."

The dark corner is within a few yards. The boys have successfully maneuvered you and  your kids across the parking lot toward the dark and dangerous uncertainty a few yards away. 

You are weak. You are sick. This is not fair. This is not supposed to happen to you. You were the Prom Queen and the Salutorian of your graduating class.  Your husband is an attorney and an amateur boxer. This is America dammit! And it IS NOT FAIR!

You have maybe 20 seconds to get a grip and DO SOMETHING. Okay What? What can I do? What?  . . . . 

The convincing soft-speaking, bad smelling bastard has his hand up your dress and into your panties. He is touching where only your husband has ever touched. Your girls are faring no better. 

"Eemmm yeah B. Dat's rigth. I'm liken what I'm feel'n. I think you liken it too. uh-huh. Mamnn! Dis is GOOOD stuff. "

"Shut-up Carlos. We all got good stuff. We lucky tonight. Rich bitches. Clean bitches. But we gots to hurry now!"

"Momma, he's hurting me! Stop! Please stop!"

"It's okay baby. Momma's here."

" Yeah baby it's okay, like momma say."

"Told you to chill kid. Now shut up and come on widt me. Ya Momma ain't  gonna stop nobody! "

"We probly gonna take turns and swap off all night long--Okay Fud?" 

"You just be quiet now and let it feel goood.. "

'Else , I AM gonna hurthca BAD! here met?" 

"Stop the Cry'n and shut up, liddle girl. This is da way life is. Gonna show ya what ya bitches ah made for. Das rigtht. Dahs good. Yeah. Yeah. good."You are not going to tke this. You act now!

Mom knows she must do something. She is almost out of itime. Maybe ten seconds. Why didn't she ever prepare for this, she asks herself.

Well she will do something! Here goes nothing!  . . . . .. 

Similar scene splay out frequently around the country for the unsuspecting and the unprepared. What would YOU do, under such circumstances?

Predators carefully pick "soft" or easy "targets." There odds of success are greatly enhanced. They are punks--but they know what they are doing and they are very effective at doing it.

They are cowards who prey on the vulnerable and the week. How can they tell? How do they pick? How can you become a hard target?

Re-visit this sight soon. I'll tell you what you should do--depending on several variables. For now, just understand--YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A VICTIM OR A CRIME STATISTIC. You have a choice -- an obligation--not to be a victim! So what do you do?