Delta Force Personal & Family Defense

Beginnings for Basic Self Preservation: Predators versus Victims

It often comes as a surprise to middleclass Americans to get their heads out of the sand and realize that the la-la land in which they live in no different the the events that they routinely watch on the news and read in the newspaper. The world is a dangerous place at its best, and there are a fair percentage of the population who are intent on victimizing the rest of the population. These predators, as they are often called, share many of the traits of predatory animals found it the wild.

First, they generally seek out the most vulnerable of society to be their targets of victimization, such as the small and seemingly defenseless, the weak and infirm, the elderly, the disabled, the mentally and physically impaired AND the unwary. Our discussion will refer to these types of victims as soft targets.

These predators, just as do their wild counterparts, are lacking sympathy or compassion for their victims. Often socio-paths, they have no conscience or worse, have a feeling that society, and their victims as a whole owe them something. Of they, being bereft of moral principles common to most humans, consider that they are merely doing their part in nature, fulfilling their roles as survival of the fittest.

This group of social misfits often gravitate to one another. They may work in tandem or in groups to distract and overpower their victims. They are more likely go target an isolated person or couple, where it would be difficult to run or to summon help.

They count on their targets being unsuspecting and defenseless. Sometimes they are wrong in their assessments, but not often. These predators learn the telltale signs unwittingly emitted by soft targets. These signs range in a failure to carry oneself with confidence to more easily and obvious signs, such as a disability, or an obvious unawareness of what’s going on around them.

The next time you go to the supermarket, sit for a moment in your car and observe various people as the come out and load their groceries into their cars. They may be females with two or more whining small children. Their attention is anywhere but where it should be. They are often parked on the far edges of the parking lot or behind a large van, other vehicle, or other structure in the parking lot. They sometimes are seen counting their money or straightening the content of their purses, without a thought about there surroundings.

Danger lurks in any gathering of people. These predators can sometimes be spotted too, hanging out or loitering in or around their own automobiles, or kicked back with no apparent cause, waiting outside the supermarket doors or in the store foyers. These people are seldom up to any good.

Another obvious soft target is the lone jogger of either sex, but especially those small of stature and females, who are wearing ear-buds making them oblivious to one of their most important defensive senses—their hearing, as they are taking it the lull of their favorite music or motivational speakers. By singling out females, I am not being chauvinistic.

Women can be just as tough as men, but women, by nature automatically have something that men have a propensity to want—sex. Whether or not we academically debate whether the sexual predator desires control or sexual gratification, the statistics clearly indicate women are more often the object of than are men.

Another example of a soft target is the family of four or five who have trouble finding protected and lighted parking at night, and choose to park on a dark side street in the rush and pressure to make it to a church or school function, restruant, or other event. Although they are maybe only one block off the main street, they are in no man's land. The best sprinter would have difficulty getting out of the reach of a well-place group of predators.

Sometimes I ask a class, what would you do under such circumstances? The gang leader demands your purse and your little girls. You are outnumbered, out-gunned, and out of luck. What are you going to do? Use your cell-phone? Yeah, right. Surprisingly few people have ever even thought through such a scenario, let alone have a viable answer. It’s almost as if these folks feel that if they never thing about such things, such things won’t happen. this is not rationale thought. Is it?

With home invasions on the rise, your family are not even safe while “safe at home”. Home invasions are by definition, burglaries or illegal entry to a home while residents are there. This as opposed to a mere burglary where the residents are not there.

These are just a few common scenarios that can spell disaster. We will illustrate many more during the course of this blog discussion. But never fear. The first step in converting from soft to a hard targets and thereby greatly increasing our survival chances, is first recognize your vulnerabilities and begin to observe your surroundings.

I will soon provide an alert system or two, which will greatly aid the novice in assessing their level of danger. Then we can logically seek to avoid dangerous situations when possible, or to adopt other appropriate evasive and defensive behaviors when they are required.

Before I leave this post, I want to make another point regarding our society as a whole. Unless you have had reason professionally or otherwise to observe a segment of society that we would prefer to ignore, you may not even be aware of this very unstable and potentially dangerous group.

I am not referring to predators in this case. I am referring partially to the mentally ill, the emotionally unstable, and the temporarily stress out people whom we pass by everyday. The tip of the iceberg is apparent by the increase of road rage cases faced so often if heavy traffic.

I have only one bit of advice regarding this group: Don’t aggravate, incite, or disrespect them. If you inadvertently, apologize profusely, swallow your pride, and retreat if possible. Just get out of their way.

So how do you know members of this volatile group. You don’t, which raises my main defensive point: Treat everyone with respect. Observe the golden rule. Think about this very carefully. The cashier whom you talk down to this morning, may become your executioner, this afternoon. DW

Links: The Wright Place

We Will Use the National Terror Alert Level Colors

Rather than reinvent the wheel, we will use the following Homeland Color Alert Ssystem to denote your personal or family risk level in our following discussion. It is good to know anyway. Please learn the colors before we begin our next discussion. Here is a memory aid to be used from lowest to highest danger alert. A Green (green) Boy (blue) with Yellow (yellow) eyes ate Oranges (Orange) while he Read (Red). It’s pretty lame so make up your own if you prefer.

Homeland Security Advisory System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the United States, the Homeland Security Advisory System is a color-coded terrorism threat advisory scale. The different levels trigger specific actions by federal agencies and state and local governments, and they affect the level of security at some airports and other public facilities.

Links: The Wright Place

Awareness & Avoidance

Much can be learned each day by reading the metro section of any large city newspaper and analyzing crimes involving personal assault, home invasion, carjackings, or robberies.

A  common theme heard from victims is, “They just came out of nowhere.”

What they are really saying is, “I was not aware that I was being stalked, until it was too late.”

Many situations could be averted entirely by the intended victim simply being more strategically aware of their surroundings. Using the Homeland Security system of alert to help us be aware of our personal safety, is a commonly accepted way to guide us in observing our personal surroundings.

Green means safe. That would imply that you are safely locked in a properly secured home or a safe-room within your larger home. This entire topic of safe-rooms and securing your home will be thoroughly explored subsequently, but first let us consider that it is already safe.

When we leave the safety of our home, our Color Alert System raises to Blue, which means that we should consciously be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. This could be a parked car in the neighborhood that doesn’t belong there, an out of state tag on a car that may appear to be following you, any car that appears to be following you. It means planning your routes while driving or jogging, avoiding secluded places, known areas of town where drive-by’s or car jacking s are known to occur.

It means looking around when you enter or leave stores where you shop. It means not parking next to large vans or objects that block vision between you and safety. Before you get into your car with your groceries at the supermarket, first look around. If you observe anything suspicious such as loitering nearby, or a car parked with one or more people in it, for no apparent reason. sometimes it may require going back inside or calling the police to express your discomfort.

Yellow Alert means that you are in an area where mischief can be expected—such as an area of town or when the news has reported carjackings with regularity or home invasions or assaults. You must be especially aware of cues such as anything unusual or out of place. Be wary of door to door solicitors or apparent yard-care services that slow or approach you. They have no business approaching you. You might do well to head to the nearest house or store our group of people.

Anytime you choose to cross a large park or secluded area your alert system should be raised to yellow. Just as it should when you are out of sight of the mainstream of public sight, such as behind a building for a parcel pickup or what have you. Jogging or walking after dark should elevate to at least yellow. Much mischief occurs under the cover of darkness. Seclusion is a danger anywhere it occurs, and it can occur in a small alcove or archetechtural idiosynchrosy of a mall or large shopping area. A good rule is to have your eye on someone or somewhere you can run to as a refuge when required.

Orange means you really probably shouldn’t be there. but if you feel you have to, be extra alert. Groups of young me on street corners are usually up to no good. Places where traffic flows rapidly and where it would be difficult to get anyone to top for help. If you have car trouble in a bad area, you’ll do best to immediately call for help if you have a cell phone or find a nearby place of business until you can get someone you know to come help you. Although it is tempting, never accept the help of strangers in such situations.

Red. Ahhhh, Red. Means immediate danger. a gang is surrounding you, a couple of guys are following you. a suspicious care is obviously following you. It means immediate evasive action is required regardless of inconvenience or embarrassment if you are wrong. Odds are you are reading the situation correctly, and no harm is done if you are not. You may be late to a meeting because you choose to go to a nearby police station or fire station for help. 

Next, we will explore how predators pick their target victims.

Links: The Wright Place

How to become a hard target

There is safety in pairs, even more so in groups. Be aware of your surroundings, make a production of looking around, act accordingly on any suspicious activities.

Wear less make-up. Don’t wear provocative clothing. Carry yourself with confidence and dignity, moving vigorously and with purpose, looking around naturally to observe what’s going on around you. Carry a medium-sized purse that can be used as a weapon. Guys carry a briefcase, cane, steering-wheel lock, walking stick, anything that looks formidable.

Wear a whistle visible outside you clothing. Carry an air-horn. Carry an expandable baton or peepe sprays pray or mace. Be aware of laws regarding such. Carry a Cuba-ton and know how to use it. A cuboton is a small weapon used to strike and manipulated joints.

Learn how to kick and hit. Not karate, but low kicks and hits to pressure points. Carry a half-staff or stick.

Carry a can of wasp spray, engine starter, foaming Armour-all, or other noxious sprays.

Carry a jar or can of gasoline. And a Bid lighter if you dare. Wear a leather jacket. Carry a key chain knife and think or ways to use it, Get a gun permit and take a handgun safety course. conceal this weapon in the ways your class teaches. Don’t carry a gun without taking a safety course and getting a permit and thoroughly knowing the laws regarding when it is lawful to use such a weapon.

Carry a water gun filled with ammonia. Keep it in a plastic bag as it might leak.

 Learn to rebuff non-armed advances loudly and viciously. Carry and use a knife if you can gain a comfort level using it. Some cultures teach this method more than others.

Don’t go into secluded or dangerous places. If you jog, make sure you can outrun just about anyone.

Carry a baser where legal. Carry half a broomstick.

Carry a glass pop bottle. Carry two large wrenches connected with a chain. It can be used like nunchuks.  Wear a rough jacket emblazebed with “Don’t think about it!”

Carry a scresriver—a large visible one

Carry a bickle chain with a lock on it.

Carry a plastic bag with hard or heavy items in it.

Carry pliers or any number of tools or box cutters.

Be sure who is at your door before you answer it. Keep a cell phone with 011 on speed dial.

Have a reputable alarm system installed.Prepare a lock-able, preferably hidden saferooom in your house. Arm it if this meets your laws and ethics.

Be polite to everyone.Don't give anyone reason to want to seek revenge upon out.

Install fire alarms at home. Lock your doors usuall secure locks.

Secure home windows.

Lock your car doors.

Read the metro section of the newspaper and decide what you would do under given assault situations.

Read about self defense; many books are available as are videos.

Don’t bury your head in the sand or plan to depend upon the police to save you.

Determine your stance on self preservation. Develop a general and.or specific plan. Practice, at least mentally. Don’t hesitate to carry your plan out. Once committed, show no mercy.

Be aware of who follows you to places and to your home. If in doubt go to a police station. Don’t get boxed in in traffic. Be prepared to drive on the sidewalk if necessary. a common antic even in upcale neighborhoods is to box you into your driveway and accost your as you get out to check your mail. go inside the garage and close it, look around, before checking your mail.

Wave off information-seekers wherever they are. Be cautions about helping someone who appears in distress.

Adopt a fight and survive mode. Statistically this attitude raises your survival rate considerable.

Don’t allow anyone to rape you without a fight. Your resistance and disturbance will often repell the attacker. If you are still raped, you still have your dignity.

 

More on Virginia Tech Massacre

As I predicted in my last post, the liberal pundits from far and wide are coming out of the woodwork. One demand is to ban so-called assault weapons. Firstly, these types of weapons were not used in this attack. Secondly, the term “assault weapon” is a nasty sounding term these pundits have assigned to a series of semi-automatic weapons which include the thirty-five year old small caliber hunting rifle that I grew up hunting small game for food with. 

I credit the early familiarity with this type of weapon with saving my own life and the life of thousands of young soldiers who were or are placed in combat situations. The comfort level and marksmanship gained by early usage of these plinkers is vital to survival in combat. These skills can simply not be gained in a few months of military training.

Further demands have been made to ban the access to semi-automatic pistols such as the shooter at VA Tech used, saying the rapidity at which this deranged person was able to harm so many people in such a short while.

Education is lacking with these people. A $100 or less single shot twelve-gauge sawed off to make the barrel and the stock short and easily concealable can harm more people with one shot than the semi-auto handguns this nut used. a handful of shells could do quadruple the harm by shooting into a crowded group such as a classroom than could in a fraction of the time. This is because of the multiple projectiles that each shell fires in a wide pattern.

Another example of a weapon that could easily be used is a black-powder replica of Old West and Civil War fame that can be purchased for $150 or less. The pistols fire six six consecutive 45 caliber lead balls the type of which over a million people were killed with during the civil war.

This black powder six-shooter pistol is accurate and deadly. Extra six shot cylinders can be purchased and preloaded and carried and are just as rapid to reload into the pistol as with the semi-automatic pistols which are in question. More people could be killed for for less money with these black-powder pistols. the odd thing is that these pistols can be purchased by anyone without any background d check or restriction.

This information is widely known and is all over the Internet and available to any wicked person desiring to cause such a tragedy as our nation just witnessed.

In conclusion, many alternatives are available to be used for the mass-killing of humans by those so minded to commit homicide. Just a few other examples include a bottle of gasoline stoppered with a wick, lighted,  and thrown into a crowd. It has been being done across the world for centuries.

A twisted mind can and has often been used a common automobile to run down crowds of people to take out their anger. A quick search of the Internet can disclose dozens of ways to concoct bombs from household chemicals and air-pollutants capable of rapid and massive genocide.

Hollywood and the liberals will tell us that guns do the killing and should be banned. More people are killed each year with screwdrivers than are killed with guns. Should they too be banned.

Again I suggest that individuals learn to defend themselves and to rely on no one else to do protect them. Evil will have its way as long as their is evil. Our only chance to combat it is to be aware that it exists, get out of our la-la bubbles, and prepare to protect ourselves.

Choosing a Defense Weapon (for carry)

There are four types of weapons that I consider desirable for personal and home defense. Of course, these tools are subject to local laws and statutes and Federal BATF control. Check with your local attorney general or local policed jurisdiction to learn what is allowed and how to qualify.

I teach the prerequisite handgun safety class in my resident state for applying for a handgun carry permit. Most states who have provisions to do this, are very similar to provisions in my state, but their may be subtle variances.

Essentially, you can’t be a felon, illegal alien, or have been dishonorable discharged from the US Armed Services to start with. Nor can you have been adjudicated as mentally defective or have ever been involuntarily committed.

You then must have four hours of classroom instruction which covers specific material regarding the safe handling of handguns, cleaning and care, legalities as to when and where you can use deadly force. I personally also teach alternative defense methods and awareness, similar to the material presented in this blog.

You must also have four hours of trained and state-certified live shooting instruction. You are tested and must pass both parts of this pre-application for a handgun carry permit.

There are at least four generally accepted handgun safety rules. These are cardinal, and must never be broken—if one is to be safe while handling firearms. They are as follows:

1) Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.

2) Never point or aim a guns muzzle (end of barrel), at anything or anyone, which you are not prepared to destroy.

3) Never shoot at a target that one has not yet fully identified. And be aware of what is between you and the intended target and what is surrounding and beyond.

4) Never place your finger on the trigger on your firearm until you are ready to fire.

There are many more rules of good gun-handling, but these four will make you safe if followed strictly. Disobey them and someone is likely to be harmed or killed—including yourself.

Choosing Your Weapon

Here are several factors, which I personally require of my students when choosing a handgun for self defense.

1) You must not use anything less than 9mm or 38 special in power. Usually semi-automatics are 9mm, and revolvers are 38 special. Even with these restrictions, these calibers are minimal. The larger the better, providing that you can control your weapon comfortably.

2) At a formal shooting range, begin with 9mm (or 38 Special) and work your way up. That is, try a larger caliber such as 40 cal or 357 magnum, and then to 10 mm or 41 magnum, then try a 45 cal semi-automatic or a 44 magnum, etc. I stop at 45 ACP for semi-autos and 44 magnum for revolvers, although if you are stout you can go higher. In my opinion the 45 ACP for automatics is the most desirable if you can control it and shoot it where you want it to hit. The same is true for a 44 magnum in the case of a large revolver.

Another point to be made in this vein is that the smaller the calibre, the more rounds available to shoot generally speaking. Conversely, with semi-automatics, the larger the calibre, the fewer the rounds available. Most revolvers are six or five shots. For safety purpose it is wise to keep the chamber under the revolving cylinder empty, which further diminishes the on-board cartridge capacity of a revolver. Extra magazines or speed-load moon-clips can quickly add to the capacity of either.

3) In general, revolvers are easier to shoot reliably, than are semi-autos. Revolvers are more forgiving when it comes to abuse or failure to clean. If you own a gun, you must clean it each time you go to the range or fire it elsewhere. However, semi-automatics leave little tolerance for failing to do this. If you are inclined to be lazy, neglectful, or sloppy, you probably shouldn’t even own a gun —but if you insist—don’t place your life in the hands of a dirty semi-automatic. Additionally, with more moving parts, a semi-automatic is inherently less reliable. If you are committed to learning the techniques,  to keep your piece clean, and to recover from these reliability issues—then a semi-automatic would be a good choice.

4) Also one must consider the circumstances under which one will be carrying, such as clothing worn and places available on  your person to conceal your weapon and still be able to produce and fire it quickly. The cooler it is, the more clothing you can reasonably wear to cover hour weapon. Purses, specially designed false-books, carry vests, and other ingenious methods can be used to carry as well. All of these factors determine the size and calibre of the weapon you carry.

For example, I prefer a military-style 1911A semi-automatic in 45 ACP. However it is a rather large gun. Unless I am wearing a sports-coat or carry vest or long style shirt, I cannot carry this pistol during the summer. Instead I carry a slightly smaller Browning H-Power 9mm or a ultra-light hammerless 5–shot Smith and Wesson or Taurus 38 special. I usually carry extra mags or moon-clips as well.

5) Cost is a factor. One can purchase a reliable carry weapon for around $200, but these choice, while barely sufficient, are not my preference. For four hundred dollars you can expect to purchase what I would consider a decent piece, but it may be used. For $500 or $600, you can buy a very desirable gun. There are many brands of guns. The ones I personally prefer are Kimber, Glock, Beretta, H&K, Sig Sauer, Para Ordinance, Smith & Wesson, Browning, Ruger, Khar, Walther, the newer Sporingfield, Colt, and Taurus models. EAA Witness in 40 calibre is an especially good buy in my opininion. These are actually made by an Italian compay named Tanfaglio. There are others. If you know little about guns, get someone who does to help you in choosing one.

6) If possible, arrange to actually fire a model and calibre of each of the types you consider. Many ranges rent guns to use for this purpose.

7) It is good to get some professional training regarding how to shoot. Reading can also supplement this. There are many different stances and ways to hold guns in order to fire accurately. Most platforms involve the use of two hands, but you should also learn to shoot single-handedly with either hand. With proper instruction, you can be firing more accurately than the bar required of most law officers.

8) You must practice until muscle-memory can instinctively produce your weapon without conscious thought. You must overcome the ingrained tendency to preserve life, and condition yourself to actually take a life in an attempt to prevent harm to you or your family. Using human image targets aid in this process.

9) Once you become a gun-toting citizen, you will have a feeling of power, which you must manage. You must resist the urge to boast about carrying a gun. You must be fully aware that if you ever use deadly force, your life will change dramatically. It is a tough balancing act, which can only be gained by experience, conscious processing of real-life scenarios, study, practice, and training.

The nest topic I will over is the use of back-up guns and knives, and then we will address the types of weapons preferred for Home Invasion protection.

Choosing a Defense Weapon (for carry)

There are four types of weapons that I consider desirable for personal and home defense. Of course, these tools are subject to local laws and statutes and Federal BATF control. Check with your local attorney general or local policed jurisdiction to learn what is allowed and how to qualify.

I teach the prerequisite handgun safety class in my resident state for applying for a handgun carry permit. Most states who have provisions to do this, are very similar to provisions in my state, but their may be subtle variances.

Essentially, you can’t be a felon, illegal alien, or have been dishonorable discharged from the US Armed Services to start with. Nor can you have been adjudicated as mentally defective or have ever been involuntarily committed.

You then must have four hours of classroom instruction which covers specific material regarding the safe handling of handguns, cleaning and care, legalities as to when and where you can use deadly force. I personally also teach alternative defense methods and awareness, similar to the material presented in this blog.

You must also have four hours of trained and state-certified live shooting instruction. You are tested and must pass both parts of this pre-application for a handgun carry permit.

There are at least four generally accepted handgun safety rules. These are cardinal, and must never be broken—if one is to be safe while handling firearms. They are as follows:

1) Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.

2) Never point or aim a guns muzzle (end of barrel), at anything or anyone, which you are not prepared to destroy.

3) Never shoot at a target that one has not yet fully identified. And be aware of what is between you and the intended target and what is surrounding and beyond.

4) Never place your finger on the trigger on your firearm until you are ready to fire.

There are many more rules of good gun-handling, but these four will make you safe if followed strictly. Disobey them and someone is likely to be harmed or killed—including yourself.

Choosing Your Weapon

Here are several factors, which I personally require of my students when choosing a handgun for self defense.

1) You must not use anything less than 9mm or 38 special in power. Usually semi-automatics are 9mm, and revolvers are 38 special. Even with these restrictions, these calibers are minimal. The larger the better, providing that you can control your weapon comfortably.

2) At a formal shooting range, begin with 9mm (or 38 Special) and work your way up. That is, try a larger caliber such as 40 cal or 357 magnum, and then to 10 mm or 41 magnum, then try a 45 cal semi-automatic or a 44 magnum, etc. I stop at 45 ACP for semi-autos and 44 magnum for revolvers, although if you are stout you can go higher. In my opinion the 45 ACP for automatics is the most desirable if you can control it and shoot it where you want it to hit. The same is true for a 44 magnum in the case of a large revolver.

Another point to be made in this vein is that the smaller the calibre, the more rounds available to shoot generally speaking. Conversely, with semi-automatics, the larger the calibre, the fewer the rounds available. Most revolvers are six or five shots. For safety purpose it is wise to keep the chamber under the revolving cylinder empty, which further diminishes the on-board cartridge capacity of a revolver. Extra magazines or speed-load moon-clips can quickly add to the capacity of either.

3) In general, revolvers are easier to shoot reliably, than are semi-autos. Revolvers are more forgiving when it comes to abuse or failure to clean. If you own a gun, you must clean it each time you go to the range or fire it elsewhere. However, semi-automatics leave little tolerance for failing to do this. If you are inclined to be lazy, neglectful, or sloppy, you probably shouldn’t even own a gun —but if you insist—don’t place your life in the hands of a dirty semi-automatic. Additionally, with more moving parts, a semi-automatic is inherently less reliable. If you are committed to learning the techniques,  to keep your piece clean, and to recover from these reliability issues—then a semi-automatic would be a good choice.

4) Also one must consider the circumstances under which one will be carrying, such as clothing worn and places available on  your person to conceal your weapon and still be able to produce and fire it quickly. The cooler it is, the more clothing you can reasonably wear to cover hour weapon. Purses, specially designed false-books, carry vests, and other ingenious methods can be used to carry as well. All of these factors determine the size and calibre of the weapon you carry.

For example, I prefer a military-style 1911A semi-automatic in 45 ACP. However it is a rather large gun. Unless I am wearing a sports-coat or carry vest or long style shirt, I cannot carry this pistol during the summer. Instead I carry a slightly smaller Browning H-Power 9mm or a ultra-light hammerless 5–shot Smith and Wesson or Taurus 38 special. I usually carry extra mags or moon-clips as well.

5) Cost is a factor. One can purchase a reliable carry weapon for around $200, but these choice, while barely sufficient, are not my preference. For four hundred dollars you can expect to purchase what I would consider a decent piece, but it may be used. For $500 or $600, you can buy a very desirable gun. There are many brands of guns. The ones I personally prefer are Kimber, Glock, Beretta, H&K, Sig Sauer, Para Ordinance, Smith & Wesson, Browning, Ruger, Khar, Walther, the newer Sporingfield, Colt, and Taurus models. EAA Witness in 40 calibre is an especially good buy in my opininion. These are actually made by an Italian compay named Tanfaglio. There are others. If you know little about guns, get someone who does to help you in choosing one.

6) If possible, arrange to actually fire a model and calibre of each of the types you consider. Many ranges rent guns to use for this purpose.

7) It is good to get some professional training regarding how to shoot. Reading can also supplement this. There are many different stances and ways to hold guns in order to fire accurately. Most platforms involve the use of two hands, but you should also learn to shoot single-handedly with either hand. With proper instruction, you can be firing more accurately than the bar required of most law officers.

8) You must practice until muscle-memory can instinctively produce your weapon without conscious thought. You must overcome the ingrained tendency to preserve life, and condition yourself to actually take a life in an attempt to prevent harm to you or your family. Using human image targets aid in this process.

9) Once you become a gun-toting citizen, you will have a feeling of power, which you must manage. You must resist the urge to boast about carrying a gun. You must be fully aware that if you ever use deadly force, your life will change dramatically. It is a tough balancing act, which can only be gained by experience, conscious processing of real-life scenarios, study, practice, and training.

The nest topic I will over is the use of back-up guns and knives, and then we will address the types of weapons preferred for Home Invasion protection.

Knives as Defensive weapons

The United States as a whole is not a knife culture. In past generations, ethnic sub-cultures have been more notably inclined to use knives. Most of these culture have now turned to guns as their means of defense—but not completely. Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Spanish, and Italians and Sicilians cover most of these groups.

In the late sixties, during the Viet Nam conflict, a Hispanic barracks mate of mine showed me how he carried a razor-blade in his mouth in uncertain situations and how to use it as a weapon. He warned me that his momma had taught him since before he could remember and not to try it, but l couldn’t resist the notion  and after many cuts on lounge and cheek, I too learned how to do the same.

I am substantially part American Indian and as I attended BIA schools in the Alaskan bush, I routinely have carried knives , both folding and sheath-style ever since I can remember. Knife-handling experience was often taught through innocent looking games while at play. I believe these “games” and my affinity for edged weapons have saved my life several times.

A good folding knife, or several, can be very effective as a defense method, but only for those who are willing to take the time to learn some basics and to spend the time overcoming the squeamish fear that most people have of being cut by a knife.

A good way to begin overcoming your stigmatized fear of knives is to acquire a butterfly knife (officially known as a Bali-song knife). this type of knife is unique. It originated in the PI. Two handles encase a blade which can be gravitationally folded outward. It is said that there are 52 ways to open this type of knife.

It can be thrown from hand to hand and is very flashy in appearance when properly used. It is a good idea to use light leather gloves when first learning to use the Bali-song. In lieu of gloves, tape can be used to cover the sharp side of he blade. eventually you will want to use bare hands and no tape.

You will find yourself being cut with nicks or worse while practicing the Bali-song maneuvers. As you will be engrossed by your methods, you will barely notice the nicks.

It is a good idea to keep supplies handy to treat more severe cuts. You will soon come to realize the sight of blood doesn’t necessarily mean that you are seriously injured, thereby going a long way toward overcoming your inherent fear of blades.

The Bali-song is not legal to carry in most jurisdictions. I mention these drills merely as drills. A small fixed blade or good quality folder is best for defensive purposes.  Good folding knives are not expensive anymore, although the better the quality, the more expensive they are. Ever since Spyderco patented the opening-hole in the folder blade, folders have become larger and easier to learn to open. However, those of us who knew the trick, knew how to open any folder long prior to the advent of Spyderco knives.

We merely placed a small piece of paper into the fold, near the axis, which would leave a enough of a oint sticking out so that when we pulled the clothing from a pocket, the point would snag and open as the knife was pulled out of the pocket. It is easy to carry multiple knives. It is easy to learn to throw a knife at close ranges which can be very intimidating to an assailant. Just don’t throw your last knife. With practice knives can be thrown effectively from considerable distance. I have been video taped using this technique from a back left pocket; I throw and apple into the air and produce the open knife in time to cut it on its way back down. This takes about a second.

I personally carry a knife in every pocket and one in a special inverted Kydex case attached to a leather thong, around my neck. I seldom remove the neck-knife even while bathing or swimming. It is always at my disposal when no other weapon is available.

Even while carrying a gun, I believe the knife defense to be a superior weapon in close quarters. I recommend carrying a knife to be available to your weak, non-gun hand. In a struggle, you will be using your strong  hand to retain your handgun in its holster, while deploying your knife from the weak side to deter the attacker.

A knife draws lots of blood, is very hard for the average jo to disarm, and is omni-directional. It is easily concealed and with a little practice can be rapidly deployed. It is usually a surprise to the attacker. It is also a good means of distracting before escape. Lethality is also more easily controlled.

There are many knife methods. My favorites are derived from the the Filipino martial arts—Kali, Escrima, and de Arnez. These similar martial arts also employ hands and sticks. These arts are what gave the US Marines the name “leathernecks”.

This is because the Kali warriors in the southern Islamic Islands were reaping havoc upon American troops around the turn of the last century, to the extent that special heavy wire and stuffed leather collars were developed to ward off the Filipino natives lethal blows. I also draw from the Sevilian Spain techniques, as well as Sicilian. I also learned things from my Dad and older brothers which I assume to be of Native American origin.

I have developed my own style after b being a student of the knife for over fifty years. While sparring with others who were excellently trained in techniques from one or another, I have always been able to pull a rabbit out of my hat to overtake them with a surprise. Sparring is usually done with dulled homemade aluminum blades, rubber knives with a third party judge, or with clean Tee Shirts or bare skin and red Magic Markers. On a few occasions, the matches have been real. I can tell you that it is my opinion that few people ever win a real knife fight.

I will spend more time on edged weapons in an effective defense posture in a later post, but I will briefly introduce several principles that must be mastered.

1) Stance is most effective if constantly changing from left to right in an adaptation of the Weaver stance with the non -weight-bearing foot slightly behind. Knees should be flexible and raise and lower your body vertically.

I can compare this to surfing, with sharks all around you.

2) Watch your knees and groin area and guard them at all times. You your own feet to target these areas of your opponent. Other areas to target with your feet are chins, calves, and instep, Do not go higher than these areas with your feet in a knife fight no matter what degree of martial arts you think  you are. You are too likely to be disemboweled.

3) Balance must be maintained at all times, as well as the ability to spring backward in retreat and forward in attack.  Be slow to shift your weight forward.

4) Run like heck if you are able to. Shoot your opponent if he appears to be a seasoned knife-fighter. But bear in mind, an average person can close the gap of 21 feet, in less than the time the fastest man can determine a threat and draw a gun from concealment and fire accurately.

Consequently, an offender may wait un til he is right in your face to use his knife. You are very likely to have to use your hands or object of opportunity or pseudo weapon which I encourage you to always carry in your hand—some of which we have already listed. At least until you can produce your own knife.

It is good to avoid crowds in bad places: bars, unknown domain, travel, streets when possible. Your color of awareness should be elevated to orange or red in those instances, when you cannot avoid such crowds. Watch hands pockets eyes and dress for cues of weapon-welders. Such will often “broadcast” that they are carrying by repeatedly touching an area as if in reassurance. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake.

5) More people are right-handed, but any hand not seen, is a danger sign. Folded arms can also conceal an opened knife in the biggest crowd. A belt drooping on one side or the other can indicate a side-carry weapon as can a long shirt, sports-coat or vest. Look for a budge or pattern to further confirm such a guess.

7) For the most part, keep your knife low and to your knife-hand side, ready to strike at any opening. Beware of fake strikes that draw you out. A good time to strike is when an opposing strike is anticipated , being executed, or after your opponent has committed his full weight to the strike.

8) Strike hands or legs first which may be unguarded. Be ready to follow with defensive strikes or offensive strikes depending upon whether your opponent counters your strike or retreats. When he is off-balance retreating is a good time to strike further.

9) Know the lethal areas to strike. One popular video using a piece of beef carcass for drama is so full of bs that it makes me laugh. The heart are, while lethal is very hard to strike fully and lethally. Rid and carteledge guard this area. Even if you make a strike to this area, it is likely to get stuck without doing any real damage, while your opponent cuts your throat.bones also . Know the main arteries and veins of the body. For example, few people realize that a shrike to the high enter thigh femoral artery will bleed a person out in about seven seconds. Also guard ourself against such strikes.

10) Use small curved strikes that flow from one to another, but be sure that your knife is aligned and moving at an angle that will cause it to cut. What might otherwise be a good strike, could in practicality only be an inconsequential slap, if your knife not aligned properly and moving forward in a slice. Stabs should generally be reserved for special  openings or to the lower sides, lower abdomen or back. The most lethal strikes when properly executed are to the throat where lie the jugular and brachial arteries.

11) As many fighters are prone to lower their heads to ward off a blow as is taught in boxing, if such an opportunity presents itself, a slice across the eyebrow will produce a lot of blood in which you can either flee from your opponent or in cases of war and times when it is absolutely called for to prevent further harm, you can use the blood-induced visual lost caused by an eyebrow slice, to quickly follow with a killing blow.
12) If you fall, keep your feet in between you and your opponent, kick savagely at him. Some techniques actually call for an intentional fall to throw your opponents balance and method up, setting them up for a lethal strike to the femoral artery from below.

13) Most knife fights do not last long unless they are between two opponents with relatively high levels of skill. The kind of energy required to maintain a fight for just a few minutes is very exhausting. If you find yourself in a defensive fight, you must try to end it as quickly as possible. Many a knife fight has been ended to a swift kick to the knee or groin,

  before it really starts.

14) Be aware of your surroundings for comrades or sympathizers with your opponent, who may also engage your or trip or push you to create opportunity for your opponent.

15) Know first aid and have surgical hose with you if possible, for after-fight treatment of you or your opponent. As I have already stated, nobody wins a knife fight.

16) Thin leather gloves are useful in a knife fight as are long sleeves, leather jackets, or wrist bands. There are many ways to prepare for a fight, such as in the case of a pride fight. I refuse to divulge these preparatory techniques, as you will do better to swallow your pride and leave town. The great master of warfare, Sun-ztu, who was an accomplished martial artist, once allowed a challenger, who hadn’t guessed Sun-ztu’s martial prowess, to humiliate him to the point of crawling on his knees and squealing like a pig in the dirt and even between his challengers legs, without ever arousing The War-Master’s ire. He said this was because

he would not allow another man to control him. HAD HIS LIFE TRULY BEEN THREATENED, HE WOULD HAVE EASILY KILLED THE PHALANGER. This is a great example of not being a slave to our own pride. Pride is denounced in virtually all major religion. Just think how peaceful the world would be without individual or collective national pride. Money is not the root of all evil—PRIDE IS!

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Back-up weapons

At least one good knife is essential to back-up your handgun. It should be place somewhere that it is accessible to your week non-gun side. See previous discussion about edged defense.

A second knife, which also I find useful in everyday chores, can be suspended from an inverted form-fitted Kydex sheath around ones neck. These so-called neck-knives often come with a securing chain. Immediately replace this with heavy leather thong, which is both more comfortable and harder to break. The same type of knife can be secured to the weak-side arm-pit where it hangs with the throng over the top of the shoulder with the assistance of a mini-clip or safety pin. Also accessible in cross-draw to your strong hand, this is an extraordinarily fast position from which to deploy into your weak hand either front-hand or reverse-grip.It is also hard to detect beneath a sports-coat or even an un-tucked shirt.

I carry a smaller size/caliber backup in the small of my back in a special inside-the-pants leather holster. Call me paranoid, but I usually carry a third gun in an ankle holster and a knife in my shoe, boot, or strapped to the inside wrist of my strong arm. It can utilize a lanyard which is undetectably attached to a ring on my hand which is used to activate deployment.

One is a product of their self-experience. And just like the movie script said, “Just because you are paranoid, does not mean No one is pout to get you”. My past experience causes me to ere on the side of prudence. If possible I would have a fully auto AK-47 in my shorts as well. Although the last is meant as a joke, only because my shorts are not that roomy, my point is that it is not possible to be too heavily armed.
doug wright

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Home Invasion Defense

Defined as a burglary or illegal, unauthorized entry into your house while a family member is at home, a home invasion, can be particularly dangerous. Presumably the trespassers either don’t know or don’t care if you are home. There intent may be far more insidious than mere burglary in  motive—possibly including kidnapping, rape, or murder for whatever reason, or no reason at all. Home invasions happen daily. You’ve only to read the daily metro section of a metropolitan newspaper to realize the prevalence of this crime.

You should feel safe at home. It should be a refuge against intruders and the outside world. A place of peace and comfort. Unfortunately, this is a mere illusion unless you take particular safeguards against home invasion.

Home Invasions can happen at anytime of day or night. Entry can be blatantly bold, right through the front door in the guise of some llegiitimate purpose, so you must first have a means of identifying who  it is at your door. If you are not expecting these people, don’t be fooled by a workman's uniform or cap. Demand ample identification until you are satisfied that the approach to your home is legitimate. Good Americans have been conditioned to respond to a badge or uniform and to follow authority. If it is the privacy of your own home, you do not have to open it until you are satisfied that the people at your door are who they say they are and have a good purpose for being there.

Your doors should have good dead bolt locks which can provide extra security while you are secured inside. This is probably the most cost effective method of securing your home. In high crime areas, bars on windows may be a necessity. Make sure that your doors cannot be opened from the outside while you are inside. Additional measures may help whether you or there or not, such as electronic security systems from reputable companies who monitor for automated calls and alert police when your doors and window are tampered with. These measures are relatively inexpensive, but still may be cost prohibitive. Still they require that you remember to set and disarm the alarms as you come and go, or they are of no use. These companies provide sinage announcing that you are a subscriber to the service, which may have a deterrent effect upon criminals casing your neighborhood. But even these systems are not foolproof to a savvy carer criminal.

Each family should have an emergency plan to deal with fire and home invasion and other emergencies. Each family member should know all the details by heart. Mobile phones have done much to aid in protection against home invasion. However, you cannot depend upon the police or anyone else, to come to the rescue. They can’t be everywhere at once. Response times may be far too slow to depend on.

As electronics becomes more advanced, your local computer may be inexpensively outfitted by video cams that able to be set up to provide visibility in blind areas. These may also provide continuous video tape records to refer back to. With a little bit of computer ingenuity, you can even use your TV to show what is going on around you by flipping switches.

Each home should have a safe room. It should be as obscure as possible, even with a hidden door entered via a closet or other manner if possible. The room should preferably be upstairs if there is more than one story, with the exception of areas prone to tornadoes or earthquake. In these cases a downstairs room might better be considered. The safe room should be without windows and should preferably be fortified against forcible entry. If there is no handyman to affect these features for a safe room, an outside contractor may be able to help.

Your safe room should be large enough to comfortably accommodate all members of your family with at least enough leg room and seating. Sound proofing would be ideal, but not essential. The room should be equipped with a battery powered radio and weather radio. These can be bought as a single unit. Multiple flashlights with extra batteries are a good addition too.

Munchies and some bottled water is also ideal. Some people actually design special racks in their safe room used to store and rotate canned goods, with enough essentials to survive for one or two years. Although you may consider these amenities as extreme, at the very least they may enable you to buy food in bulk at a savings and provide a hedge against inflation. The purpose of such storage is more for a case of extended emergencies such as trucker strikes, and natural or catastrophic disaster.

If you have small children, puzzles and games might help ease tensions while they are cooped up inside the room. Drills in the form of games can be entertaining and useful in preparation for actual use of the safe room.

One very secured entrance is good. If means allow, a secret escape entrance can be a good addition, especially if you are considering a safe room when building a house. In areas where basements are practical, a portion or all of it may be ideal to use as a safe room. If toilet facilities are not available in this room, a chemical toilet such as is used in RV’s and posh camping would be considered.

Every family member should have a self-contained 36–hour emergency preparedness backpack. In the backpack should be bottled water, or a canteen, bandaids, munchies such as trail-mix, MRE (Military Ready to Eat) meals, flashlight and extra batteries, disinfectant, Off, Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman-type utility knives. A portable water filter may be shared among family members but at the very least, water purification tablets should be included in each pack with instructions about how to use them. A mess kit can be useful , as can be a tent to house all family members.

Bic lighters or fire-starters, are good inclusions as well as s a Boy Scout Field Manual or other such emergency book, which includes first-aid, knots and other helpful survival lore. Twine and/or rope has multiple uses. If you jog your memory by pretending that you are going on a three day camp-out, you will think of other things to include. Toilet paper, paper cups, wire, camp saw or hatchet, Space Blankets, pocket raincoats, and small foam mattresses may be included. All of this must be geared to the capacity of your family members to carry them if required.

Don’t forget necessary medicines for special needs such as nitroglycerin for heart patients, Insulin and diabetic supplies, and any other such needs. Practice is important in the form of play drills with the family. The idea is to be able to leave (or stay nearby) your house if necessary in the event of a natural disaster such as earthquakes, floods, etc.

Home Defense Weapons

When it comes to weapons, the same handgun can be used for your home. It should be loaded with fragmented bullets or hollow points so that it will not go through walls and kill members of your family or your neighbors or first-responders. However, as a strictly home defense weapon, my own preference is a 12 gauge shotgun. The pump-action variety is best. I even have a model and brand which is the usual preference in such cases. The Remington 870 pump-action 12 gauges come in a variety of styles. any will work, but a customized home invasion weapon with a shortened or eliminated stock and a pistol grip and a tactical fore grip is desirable.

Such a customization can also include an extended shell tube with a bright halogen Surelight-style mounted directly underneath the muzzle with a remote switch which can activate the light easily at your fingertips. There are special lights made foe this available from most guns stores or from the Internet. Cheaper-than-Dirt is one such supplier. Brownell’s is another. You can also get a mount that will provide two or three accessories.

The use of the one or two extra mounts can be used for an Infra-red or IR unit to be used in conjunction with a night vision scope (to be discussed). A rd-dot laser sight can also be affixed to such a mount. This not only provides an aiming system, but it is a deterrent in itself for an intruder to see such a dot trained upon their body.

An alternate place to mount the above-mentioned accessories is on a multiple Weaver or Picatinny rail which can be bought to attach to the front sight area of the shotgun. If using the top of the shotgun, mount the white light onto the outside rail. This will reduce the chances of an intruder aiming at the light and hitting you. White light and Night Vison cannot be used simultaneously as it will burn out the intensifier tube of the. But a night vision mounted directly to the inside Weaver rail is another option. IR can only be seen through night vision equipment, so in such a configuration it would still be best to keep the IR unit under the muzzle of the shotgun.

A tactical shotgun usually has a barrel length of 18.5 inches. Shorter lengths are illegal. If a barrel is to be sawed off, it should be done by a gun-smith or other knowledgeable in order to re-establish a proper choke and a barrel crown. One other accessory which may replace one of the other sighting systems is a so-called halo-graphic sight available from such places as ATN Corp online. Cheaper-than-Dirt and Brownells should also have these.

The practicality of such a halo-graphic-style sight is that it can be adjusted so that it is quickly picked up by both eyes. It projects a laser-like reticle onto which optically appears to hover in the air about fifty feet in from of you. It is actually merely projected onto a piece of glass near the front sight area. This type of sight tuned to its dimmest setting is appears as a mellow green dot when viewed through a night vision goggle.

This brings us to the absolute ideal system if money allows. This is a night vision multi-purpose system including a goggle mount for the small NV intensifier scope. The scope comes with both a mount for a Weaver-style weapon platform as well as different lenses, supplemental IR, camera adapter and the scope can be used as a NV monocular. Night Vision comes in generations of intensity. Gen One will suffice, in conjunction with Supplemental IR of about 450 mw. Although very desirable, each increase generation of light-gathering ability greatly increase the price of the unit. Very expensive units can even be switched from day to night vision, without harming the tube.

12 gauge ammo should be in plentiful supply. A mixture of interlaced slugs, buckshot, and light bird shot provides the maximum coverage in a tight home invasion scenario. Stock “jackets” are made to carry reloads on board the shotgun. Bandalero-style ammo belts like those used in the old spaghetti Westerns are also available as is various tactical clothing and even bullet-proof vests. All of this equipment, though very desirable, can be very expensive. You must start with the basics and use prudence to guide your equipment decisions.

in case of Anarchy Such as After Katrina

If a second defensive weapon can be afforded and considered (to be used by a second adult) as in the case of anarchy such as that which accrued after Katrina—either an AK-47 style Weapon in 7.62x39 round or a slightly more expensive AR-15 in 223 caliber. Other weapons to consider are the AK-74 in 5.45x39, and the Daewoo 200 in 223. There are tactical reason to prefer either, but any of these will work. Make sue you can buy ammo, and keep 1000 rounds and plenty of 30 round mags on hand. These are semi-auto weapons commonly called assault weapons to make them sound more menacing by the anti-gun crowd.

In lieu of the above for the second weapon in an anarchy or survival situation is an much less expensive semi-automatic 22 such as a Nylon 66 or even better a Ruger 10/22. Store plenty of hollow point ammunition. although much less powerful than the guns mentioned above, a semi-automatic 22 filled with hollow point ammo will stop virtually any man or beast which walks the earth with multiple well-placed shots. thus, target practice is essential.

All of the above amounts to a comprehensive set-up for virtually any contingent. Don’t be discouraged by its scope and breadth. Start with the essentials and use prudence to build and prepare for the most likely scenario for your area. Merely a good dead-bolt lock on your doors, and a general plan is a huge step toward making your home a much harder target for would-be home Invaders. Doug Wright

www.wrightplace.com/adventure

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