To defend myself, do I need to carry a weapon?

[wushuguy]

This is an excerpt from a post in my blog:

There are many various ideas out there, each with their own merit and reasoning.There are some instructors that push to carry a knife for self-defense. That the knife is the great equalizer, as it’s sharp blade skillfully applied will render strength and physical size of an aggressor to be of minimal consequence. Other instructors push that one should carry pepper spray, as pepper spray properly used can incapacitate most aggressors quickly and without the dangers or consequences of a knife. And so on.
...
In the end if you carry something, how quickly and efficiently have you practiced to deploy it under duress? Are your empty hand skills sufficient to end an assault? Do you live in an area that is more dangerous and carrying a tool would be useful? Or do you live in a relatively safe area where having such a tool will bring the wrong attention?

Read the full of the article on my blog. (http://eskrimadecastro.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/to-defend-myself-do-i-need-to-carry-a-weapon/)
Also, constructive comments to help me improve writing is always appreciated.

[Himura Kenshin]

The problem with weapons is not only whether or not a person is sufficiently trained to use them, but also if carrying weapons will lead to automatic escalation of violence. If you carry a knife are you going to pull it before it's necessary and make things worse?

I used to carry a knife and even thought about purchasing a firearm if Illinois gets a concealed carry law, but I've decided against it for now as I've thought that it might encourage me to "try my luck" in a situation I should just escape from, or if i'm in some sort of scuffle where i shouldn't use it someone might reach for those weapons if they see them on my person and now things are worse for me.
I carry a kubaton on my key chain. It gives extra oomph if i need to strike someone. I don't have to worry about going to prison for stabbing or shooting someone now.

After all self-defense needs to include not only the physical training of martial skills, but also how to avoid the situation entirely and how to deal with legal issues that could occur if you did hurt someone.

[Bill Mattocks]

Before committing to carry a concealed weapon, one must also have made the decision that if necessary, one will kill in self-defense. I don't say that lightly; many may say they are prepared to do so, but in the moment, they may find they cannot. A deadly weapon, once deployed, may inflict deadly wounds whether or not the person using it intends to kill in self-defense. That's a moral decision that the person needs to be very certain of, before making the decision to carry, IMHO. If you can't kill, that is not a bad thing, but it does mean you should probably not be carrying a weapon which could kill without your intention.

One must also be proficient, considering the number of people killed with their own weapons after being disarmed. No knife or gun is a magic wand; you don't wave it around and things get better. From my point of view, if I were to draw a concealed pistol, for example, it means that someone is about to die. Not a 'threat'. I mean for real. Hopefully not me, but if my weapon clears leather, the next sound will be BANG. No waving it around, no threatening to shoot, no warning shots. Draw, aim, fire. If there is not sufficient cause for me to do that, then I go to prison. If I get the weapon taken from me, I may die and innocent people in the area may die because of me.

Being trained in empty-handed self-defense hopefully gives one a level of capability that does not have to include deadly force (although it may). Concealed weapons such as knives and guns are inherently deadly; it is often only by chance that they do not kill when employed in self-defense.

In other words, once the weapon is in your hands, everything changes, even if you don't end up using it. It was perhaps life-and-death; but now there is no doubt about it. You're on a new level now. Someone is about to die.

Not directed at you, but anyone who thinks they can shoot to wound, or cut someone intentionally in a way that doesn't kill them, is being very foolish. Deadly weapons are deadly. That's their purpose. If you use them, prepare to kill or be killed.

[Big Don]

The more skilled I have become in various ways, the more I am convinced that the most important factor in any situation is luck.

[Big Don]

Not directed at you, but anyone who thinks they can shoot to wound, or cut someone intentionally in a way that doesn't kill them, is being very foolish. Deadly weapons are deadly. That's their purpose. If you use them, prepare to kill or be killed.
It is also useful to note that should you be forced to use a deadly weapon, you can count on many fun-filled hours spent with law enforcement.

[wushuguy]

If you can't kill, that is not a bad thing, but it does mean you should probably not be carrying a weapon which could kill without your intention.

Exactly. A lot of people carry some toy or trinket to feel better, others with a bit of training will carry. I used to often carry a pocket knife because I had use of it for work, but also for self-defense. However the more I thought about it, although knowing somewhat how to use it, the consequences of it was more than I want to deal with. So my option ended up being a mini flashlight which is useful in dark areas. too small to use as impact weapon, but can use to give me a little extra firm punch.

Thanks for all the insight.

[MJS]

This is an excerpt from a post in my blog:


Read the full of the article on my blog. (http://eskrimadecastro.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/to-defend-myself-do-i-need-to-carry-a-weapon/)
Also, constructive comments to help me improve writing is always appreciated.

Nice article! :) I agree with what you said. I've said similar things....in that people often carry a weapon and think that just because they're carrying something, they're already a step ahead. Well, sure, to a point, but...as you said, that weapon needs to be easily deployed, and the person using it, needs to know what they're doing.

I've had debates with fellow Kenpoists and weapons use. Their take is that you can simply pick up the weapon, and using the Kenpo concepts, be adept with the weapon. I disagree with that, because IMO, while it is possible to do that, that will be the extent of your knowledge. Unless you're spending the time to learn the ins and outs of a weapon, why bother carrying it?

[oftheherd1]

I think Bill said what most needs to be known. Nothing more, and more importantly, nothing less.

[Cyriacus]

This is not a matter of what is best, like Youre putting it. Theres no statistic thats going to make You better at using a Knife in SD than Your Hands. Your Hands ARE enough, more than enough, if You are fitted to use them.
Some People just arent able to flourish with Unarmed Combat. Some People just arent able to flourish with Knife, Stick, or Firearm Combat, where others exceed at it.
Really, its Personal Preference. If YOU feel that YOU are more comfortable using a Weapon, use one. But if Youre more comfortable Unarmed, or if Your Reflexes are to attack Unarmed, Arming Yourself is counterproductive to Self Defense, and will more than likely get You hurt, or put You at a disadvantage.

Do what comes naturally to You.

[WingChunIan]

The big issue with carrying a concealed weapon is knowing when to use it. Having a leathal weapon in your back pocket is no use if it stays there but equally you can look forward to a long time behind bars if you cause serious injury or death to an aggressor who is simply mouthing off and posturing. Unfortunately most people who carry weapons with a mindset to use them become reliant upon them and often become somewhat trigger happy. Not a path that I would advise any of my students to go down (especially given the aftermath that most people with a moral compass experience after having hurt someone even with justification). Improvised weapons on the other hand such as keys, sticks , bottles etc are a different matter and one of the first things I teach students is to be aware of their environment.

[billcihak]

I have to say I disagree with this small part of your post:


Unfortunately most people who carry weapons with a mindset to use them become reliant upon them and often become somewhat trigger happy.

I think the trigger happy myth comes more from the media than actual experience. The better trained you are with a weapon, the less "trigger happy" you become. I remember a video by shooting expert and legend Jeff Cooper where he recounted the story of a student of his shooting school. The man owned a small convenience store and after he had gone to the shooting school, his store was robbed. He deployed his pistol, and did not fire, but held the suspects till the police arrived. Cooper related that on questioning the student as to why he didn't shoot the suspects, which in the situation he had justification, the student responded, " I didn't feel I needed to, I was in control of the situation and from that control, there was no pressure to shoot." So, I think that training makes it less likely, in most cases, not all, that someone will react improperly with a weapon. Trigger Happy is something that comes up more with untrained individuals.

[Cyriacus]

The big issue with carrying a concealed weapon is knowing when to use it. Having a leathal weapon in your back pocket is no use if it stays there but equally you can look forward to a long time behind bars if you cause serious injury or death to an aggressor who is simply mouthing off and posturing. Unfortunately most people who carry weapons with a mindset to use them become reliant upon them and often become somewhat trigger happy. Not a path that I would advise any of my students to go down (especially given the aftermath that most people with a moral compass experience after having hurt someone even with justification). Improvised weapons on the other hand such as keys, sticks , bottles etc are a different matter and one of the first things I teach students is to be aware of their environment.
I believe there is a bigger risk.
Someone attacks You.
Somehow You find a chance to produce Your Knife.
Now, for HIM, its Survival. And that means, it isnt Hurting You any more. Its Killing You. To Defend Himself. Youre making HIM Defend HIMSELF. Mindset wise anyway. And that can be more dangerous than just prevailing in Unarmed Combat.

[kbarrett]

I agree with much already posted, I would add this everything around you can become a weapon when needed, so do you have to carry a weapon no, but having knowledge on how to use weapons will help in time of defense becuase, you'll know to grab what's ever available and use it as a weapon. Ken

[Blindside]

The big issue with carrying a concealed weapon is knowing when to use it. Having a leathal weapon in your back pocket is no use if it stays there but equally you can look forward to a long time behind bars if you cause serious injury or death to an aggressor who is simply mouthing off and posturing. Unfortunately most people who carry weapons with a mindset to use them become reliant upon them and often become somewhat trigger happy.

I think it is the opposite, knowing that I am carrying *something* makes me less likely to escalate something stupid because I know just how bad it can go even if the other guy does not. What is your experience wtih people carrying weapons being "trigger happy?"

[Bill Mattocks]

I think it is the opposite, knowing that I am carrying *something* makes me less likely to escalate something stupid because I know just how bad it can go even if the other guy does not. What is your experience wtih people carrying weapons being "trigger happy?"

I agree with you. In fact, there is also the ever-present fear that if you do have to draw your weapon, or if you are surprised an unable to do so, your weapon may be found or taken from you and used to kill you. No one can kill me with my own weapon if I'm not carrying one.

I suspect many people think citizens who carry concealed get a 'big man' syndrome not unlike a jerk with a gigantic SUV who drives like he owns the road. I've never seen it to be the case. It is generally, in my experience, the more mature and adult members of society who take the time and effort to seek a concealed weapons permit in the first place.

And regardless of whether one wants to believe "more guns, less crime," it is now absolutely true that more guns does not, under and circumstances, end in more crime. The 'blood in the streets' solemnly predicted by anti-gun people has never happened. The sky, it seems, did not fall.

[Buka]

Do you NEED to carry a weapon?

No.

[Himura Kenshin]

I think it is the opposite, knowing that I am carrying *something* makes me less likely to escalate something stupid because I know just how bad it can go even if the other guy does not."

I see both sides of this. If you are a person with any sort of compassion and sense you will probably not escalate the situation but I've known enough people in my life who lack common sense to know that there are some individuals who would very quickly weild a weapon for intimidation as opposed to using it when only necessary. I've had a client who was shot because he brandished a knife on someone who was beating up his sister. If he was going to use it he should have used it, not just brought it out to scare the other guy.

[wushuguy]

Right, that's why I feel there's no "catch all" answer to the question, but one must find his own answer by research and training. With training, common sense, and if one has the will to use it or not. As said in other posts as well, if a weapon is brought into play, the dynamics change, the agressor can suddenly become a defender, instincts change, and if one pulls out a knife just to intimidate and without training, that's recipe for disaster.

So carry a weapon or not is really preference, however I believe that people in all martial arts should at least touch on or practice the subject a bit more, as from what I have heard it's more common nowadays that violent conflict when it happens, often involves some kind of weapon, improvised or otherwise. While FMA boasts this as one main aspect, and other arts might delve into it more than others (I've heard hapkido, hwarangdo, and kenpo get into weapon defense a lot) I know other arts as well touch on the subject (Karate, TKD, etc.), but perhaps many instructors don't go into enough detail or maybe weren't taught in detail originally....

How do you guys think about it? Do you need to train or practice against or with modern sized knives, or are traditional empty-hand techniques enough?


I see both sides of this. If you are a person with any sort of compassion and sense you will probably not escalate the situation but I've known enough people in my life who lack common sense to know that there are some individuals who would very quickly weild a weapon for intimidation as opposed to using it when only necessary. I've had a client who was shot because he brandished a knife on someone who was beating up his sister. If he was going to use it he should have used it, not just brought it out to scare the other guy.

[Himura Kenshin]

If you intend any kind of realistic self-defense training you MUST incorporated edged weapons, blunt weapons, and fire arms of different sizes and makes. You must not only practice defense against such weapons but also how to attack with them. How can someone possibly be expected to know what is going through a knife weilder or gun weilder if they have never picked up and trained with the weapon themselves.

It's important to get into the mind set of the enemy you are training to encounter and one should ask himself "If I were the guy with the knife what would I do with it knowing what I know from my training? If i had no training what might I do with it?" Too often I see clips of someone defending against a knife attack that is one large lunging thrust or a wide WIDE swing. That's not realistic, it may be a good place to start as a beginner but one has to practice knife defense against realistic knife attacks like someone trying to shank you. Gun defense is the same, no idiot is going to stand perfectly still and point a gun at you. If they are that close they are probably also grabbing you and moving you to a secondary location.

If you were a psycho and you had a weapon what would you do if you wanted to take someone's money, life, or dignity? That's how weapon defense training should be run.

[thegatekeeper]

I wouldn't carry a weapon myself unless I knew there was going to be grave danger, but I can see how one can help....

[Brian R. VanCise]

I would really hate to be in a situation where someone attacks myself or a loved one and they had a weapon capable of lethal force and I did not. That would really stink!

[billcihak]

Keep in mind, most criminals will not train to use their weapon, and yet they can and will be able to kill you. Go through your local news programs and stories and you will see a lot of people killing people with knives and guns who never trained a day in their lives. In chicago, a young teenager killed his brother with a knife over a pair of tennis shoes. No training involved. John Cass of the sun times reported a story of a man at a movie theater who stood up to ask a couple of teenagers to quiet down. One of the teens stood up and stabbed him in the neck with a turkey thermometer. Another kid, I don't know exactly how old he was, killed his police officer Aunt with a knife, again, no training. Training with a weapon is essential to any serious self-defense training. The bad people out there will use weapons, without hours of training with them, and they will maim or kill you with them. Empty hand training alone doesn't really give you all the info. you need to deal with a weapon, be it knife, stick or gun. Try to learn something about using all of them, take shooting classes, take an FMA class, and try to get that experience if you are studying for primarily self-defense reasons. That is my two cents worth of perspective.

Training with and carrying a weapon, knife or gun, is a definite advantage in a self-defense situation. I have told this story on other posts but one of my DTS class mates disuaded 4 unarmed thugs from attacking him simply because they saw he had a small folding knife ready, and he had the body language that told them he would and could use it if they attacked him. They left him alone and no one was injured because of that weapon and his training.

[Carol]

I would really hate to be in a situation where someone attacks myself or a loved one and they had a weapon capable of lethal force and I did not. That would really stink!

What would also stink would be if you had to defend yourself and were partly (or fully) incapacitated at the time. That incapacitation could come from severe exhaustion (a day hiking in the mountains, running a marathon, etc), it could be from injury (back spasms, broken bones), disability, etc. Its also not impossible for an attacker to be a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than I am.

Do I personally NEED a weapon to defend myself? In certain circumstances, absolutely....although make no mistake, I continue to try like hell to avoid being in such a circumstance. I have been successful so far, I hope that record continues. :)

[billcihak]

Last week I had acute Achilles Tendonitis, it felt like a nail was being driven into the back of my heel, and I'll tell you, that would have really limited certain aspects of self-defense for me. I had a severe limp for a couple of days. Carol is right in what she points out. Imagine you have a broken arm or leg, and then you have to face multiple unarmed attackers or one armed attacker. A weapon in your trained hands changes the equation.

The funny thing is, violent criminals have no doubt that a weapon is a great thing to have to maim or kill their victims. It is only the good guys who second guess that question.

[Jenna]

This is an excerpt from a post in my blog:


Read the full of the article on my blog. (http://eskrimadecastro.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/to-defend-myself-do-i-need-to-carry-a-weapon/)
Also, constructive comments to help me improve writing is always appreciated.
Undoubtedly a weapon can, under fortuitous circumstances, become an advantage and but to the question of "needing" a weapon in order to defend oneself, I think the answer is negative.

It is entirely possible to defend oneself with no weapon. Otherwise, if we are caught weaponless for whatever reason, what are we to do? Lie down and take our punishment?

The ability to defend empty handed is fortunate as there will certainly be times when we cannot deploy our weapon fast enough to avoid harm to ourselves. Further, there may be times when we do not have our weapon on our person. Even if we are able to put our hand to something of a weapon it may not be a weapon we have any experience of using whereas if we are fortunate enough to remain intact throughout our lives, we should always have at least one limb well trained and well-primed for immediate deployment.

I think it is an important point that those practicing arts that train mostly weapons techniques know how to utilise their art in an empty-handed situation. Likewise, those practicing weaponless arts I think have a duty to theirselves to appreciate the handling of and defence of weapons.

Your blog writing is perfectly fine and in need of no criticism though I would say to get search engine traffic for your blog it needs to be packed with your keywords yes? Put in a nice photo of you too, or at least a picture of your weapon of choice to break up the text :) I wish you the best.

[ballen0351]

I wouldn't carry a weapon myself unless I knew there was going to be grave danger, but I can see how one can help....

How are you going to know ahead of time there will be danger. If you already know then don't go. Point is you never know and must always be ready.

[ballen0351]

Do you NEED a weapon? Well simple answer is not until you need it and when that time comes you better have it or your in trouble. I carry a firearm everywhere I go. The only time its not on my body is the gym or the Dojo but its close by and I know were it is. Everywhere else its on me church, dinner with family, during the day sitting around my house. I don't want to be the guy tied up and watch evil men do things to my wife and kids. But you also need to be smart enough to know when to use and and when to just run. If it comes out be ready to use it its not there for show.

[SavageMan]

I viewed this post a couple days ago. Let me first say thank you to Mr. Mattocks. That should be posted on every weapons forum here, and read aloud at every conceal and carry course. I also agree with a lot of Billcihak's view points. IMO the area you are from and circumstances you may have encountered throughout life are the biggest determining factors for this question. For example. Someone who grew up in East Liberty's Pittsburgh district that hear gunfire and see gang violence may think that carrying a firearm while your out is for gangsters. But may be ok with it for home defense. Someone who has never been exposed to any of that might think it's all a bit much. Most Europeans think it dreadful that a common citizen would carry a handgun. Americans consider it a right. I used to think carry a gun would only bring you trouble. Then I became a LEO. WOW did my views change. When you work with dirt bags on a daily basis. You can spot a dirt bag fairly easily, even when they try to hide it. You notice more. And you no what I've noticed. The world has changed. There is no sense of consequence for the bad guys anymore. So their a lot more likely to do something extreme. And by the way as a Correctional Officer I listen to inmate calls. You think the bad guys don't train. Think again. Every little Danny Dirt bag out there is Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian JJ, Escrima, you name it. Martial arts is the name of the game these days. So when your approached by the street punk and think that all that training in the dojo is going to pay off. Guess what, he might know enough to catch you off guard or even to counter what you think is you best stuff. For me I'll take no chances. I'll be judged by twelve before I'm carried by six. My Para Ordnance P-10 45 ACP will make sure of that. And you can bet you a$$ I train for it to. Rest in Peace Mr. Heston. But to quote former Marine and Outdoor journalist David Petzel that's just the opinion from "One of those boys from West By God Virginia!" :shooter:

[Monroe]

I don't think I have to carry a weapon to defend myself. I carry pepper spray and I'm learning SD, that's more than most people around here. Toronto had 46 homicides in 2011 and 60 in 2010. It's safer than most cities of the same size.

[Kong Soo Do]

Not directed at you, but anyone who thinks they can shoot to wound, or cut someone intentionally in a way that doesn't kill them, is being very foolish. Deadly weapons are deadly. That's their purpose. If you use them, prepare to kill or be killed.

Bill made an excellent post. I wanted to touch base on this point as it is important. Be very clear about the use-of-force and use-of-deadly-force statutes in your State. In most that I'm aware of, firing warning shots or shooting with the intention of wounding is against the law. The reason is that you require a clear field of fire and are responsible for each and every shot. Hitting a moving target well, under duress is difficult in real life. This is why combat shooting aims for COM (center of mass) which is the largest part of a person. Trying to shoot someone in the leg to make them fall down is pure Hollywood and likely to land you in legal trouble. They often don't fall down and are usually capable of carrying out whatever threat of aggression caused you to shoot them in the first place.

In regards to a knife, a secondary consideration is its use as a rescue tool i.e. cutting a seat belt if you come upon an auto accident or some other type of rescue situation that requires a sharp edged tool. Just a point to toss out for consideration.

[mook jong man]

Your own body is really your best weapon , it is always there and ready to go.

But if you do carry a weapon make sure it is always with you and can be rapidly deployed.

[SavageMan]

I work in a Maximum security prison. I can tell you first hand unless you have the option to get away. Which most of the time you should. I've never seen were the body is the better weapon than the blade. All that "knife training" is all well and good in theory. wait till it gets put to the test for real. If the guy has made a decision to use it on you, do you really think a couple of quick blocks and parries are going to get him to stop? Not a chance. He is going to come at you like a sewing machine and all the half speed training with the rubber knife or the wooden bokken is out the door. And one more thing. The guys who say the all to classic "If your going to get into a knife fight expect to get cut." For one I doubt have ever been in a knife fight. To have a knife fight both people have to have a knife. Just how often do you think that's going to happen? It should be more like if someone pulls a knife you should try to distance yourself as quickly as possible and draw really fast. The state of West Virginia has a wonderful self defense law that covers you defending not only yourself but also others if you feel harm should come to you or someone else. With that being said as a Federal Officer I'm covered under the Law Enforcement Protection Act, so I can carry anywhere and do. Now do I think that's going to cover me if God forbid I should ever have to pull my weapon. Absolutely not. The media, prosecuting attorneys, and my employers would have a field day. But I'll still be breathing, there's always another job, and some sleazebag attorney waiting in the wings to defend me. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.:soapbox:

[Monroe]

The laws are so different here. Technically my pepper spray is illegal (technically, it's dog spray. You can't buy mace in Canada intended for use on people). I shouldn't actually be carrying it ever. I carry it for late night or early morning jogging alone as another SD tool. I can't legally carry a gun or a knife either. I figure I'll get in less trouble for pepper spray than a knife or gun. Other times I'll carry are times I'm out alone when it's dark. It's always in my bag, but it's in hand when I think risks are higher.

[Josh Oakley]

Bazooka: never leave home without it.

[Carol]

Bazooka: never leave home without it.

What was better, the gum or the comics on the label ? ;)

[Grasshopper-wt]

Attackers come in many different shapes sizes and skill sets, so the need for a weapon really depends on who is putting up the fight, how many there are, and what there level of skill is. So since you cant predict any of these things at any givin time, yes, it is a pretty good idea to carry a weapon with you. Knife, kubaton, pepper spray, tazer, or even gun, it doesnt matter, as long as you make it home in one piece every night.

[mook jong man]

The problem is, are you going to have that weapon on you everywhere and even more importantly can you get it out in time to be of any use.

What about at the beach are you going to be getting about with a knife stashed down your budgie smugglers or a Baretta in your boardies ?
When the time comes you might not have anything except your own body and mind to use , and due to the location , getting distance between you and the attacker maybe problematic.
By all means practice with weapons , I have trained in the Floro fighting system so I am very fond of the knife.
But I think that really the use of improvised weapons is where its at , being able to pick up anything to hand and immediately use it , particularly flexible weapons like belts etc , things that can block a large area.

[SavageMan]

I agree with MJM on improvising. I was having a conversation with an officer I work with about how inmates make weapons out of anything. He made the comment that he finds himself walking through walmart saying to himself what could I make into a weapon. It sounds bad but its a mind set that comes with the job. Being aware of our surroundings and seeing the wolves from the sheep. Now with that in mind would I ever carry to one of my kids soccer matches? Hell no! Not to say from some parents behavior it wouldn't be justified. Let me go one step further in saying that if I didn't have confidence in my training I would never go to work. I work among the worst and most violent the world has to offer. And with nothing more than a set of keys, a radio, and one set of cuffs. When it goes down we're not armed. They might be. We run head first into the knife fights with nothing more than our training. Which is why I train. But after working as a LEO on the street I would rather carry than not. I believe our greatest weapon is our minds. Mr. Oakley posted a thread where he gave an example of being assaulted by a vagabond very recently. He went on about his business even after being kicked. Smart because he didn't know if the assailant was armed & he was heading the opposite direction away from Mr. Oakley as well as Mr. Oakley had an escape option. But what if he'd pulled a knife or worse a gun? What if Mr. Oakley couldn't have crossed the street so easily to make the distance, or the assailants would have given chase? Thank God that wasn't the case. I think its wrong for anyone to say another person doesn't have the right to carry for self defense if that's what makes them feel safe. We as martial artist train. We have the fight part of the fight or flee relex. And among the wolves and the sheep, we are the german sheperds. Not everybody out there has the potential for physical defense so who is to say they shouldn't have the option for pepper spray, stun gun, knife, or a gun? Whats the old saying? God made man. Smith and Wesson made them equal.

[billcihak]

I have to ask, how many posting here would feel they could be effective with their leg in a cast? What if you have one or two children with you and there are multiple armed or unarmed attackers? I enjoy the martial arts, and they have their place in self-defense training but I have to say they cannot compete with the skilled use of firearms. When I talk to someone who is interested in the arts I ask, as I am sure everyone here does, why they want to take lessons. If they say self-defense, I ask them if they have a FOID card and have taken shooting lessons. That is the place to start in my opinion. Any skill in the empty hand arts take a long time to develop and can only be developed and maintained with constant practice. How many people with full time jobs and full time families think that they can maintain a realistic skill level that would carry them to assured victory over a professional criminal, someone who has no impulse control, no remorse and no hesitation to maim or kill? Fire arms are a different animal altogether. With training, you can become proficient enough to defend yourself, and maintaining that skill is much easier. Before people say, "You have to train just as hard with a pistol," I have to say yes, when you can, but maintaining a mimimum proficiency is much easier. How many police officers train everyday at the shooting range? How many soldiers shoot at the range everyday? Just some thoughts. I think firearms training needs to be pushed more in the martial arts community. One day, some armed bystander might save my life.

[geezer]

I have to ask... What if... there are multiple armed or unarmed attackers?

Hmmm. Multiple armed attackers?
http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/images/statues/hindu/main/kali_mini.jpg

...or unarmed attackers?
http://www.hayashi.cz/equipment-eu/big/7705-2.jpg

[chinto]

Do you need a weapon for self defense? no, not necessarily. Can a weapon be a good thing to have? yes, and no. so here it is, if you carry a weapon, and know how to use it, you must first be willing to use it!!! guns for instance are NOT MAGIC WANDS!!!!!!!! they are the equivalent of say a good Dewalt or Porter cable drill, they just make holes at a distance! so if it points it should be shooting, and that means you are trying to take the targets life! blades are very much in a similar in that deploying a knife is DEADLY FORCE. The same can be said for chokes and strangles and some strikes and techniques that can result in death easily. ( so if you choke an attacker and his buddy shoots you dead he is justified legally )
That said, in any fight if you fight you may die!!! Drunken Idiots with NO TRAINING get sent to prison for manslaughter after killing some one else in a drunken fight every day of the week! best way to win at Self Defense? don't be there when the problem happens, that said, if you are, try and talk your way out, or walk or run away. ( but this is a judgment call, trying it may make it worse!) after that do what you have to do with what you have to stay alive and uninjured!! That may mean that you strike first in some situations. Either way figure you are going to spend some fun time with cops, and provably lawyers and courts. Your being armed, or unarmed the charges could be as low as simple mutual combat or mister-meaner assault, all the way up to aggravated murder ( capital offense) or no charges at all because the witnesses all saw you were attacked. but if some one is injured its going to cost money and lawyers and court time with out criminal charges! some one is going to sue you for hurting their poor little boy, or girl regardless of what really happened!

[chinto]

Hmmm. Multiple armed attackers?
http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/images/statues/hindu/main/kali_mini.jpg

...or unarmed attackers?
http://www.hayashi.cz/equipment-eu/big/7705-2.jpg



In my state multiple attackers are considered a deadly force situation

[crawleymartialarts]

Thanks for sharing..

[crawleymartialarts]

After all self-defense needs to include not only the physical training of martial skills, but also how to avoid the situation entirely and how to deal with legal issues that could occur if you did hurt someone.

Thanks for this insight. Very true. In some countries it's hard to prove self-defense. If you can avoid it the better.

[Grasshopper22]

It's always good to carry a weapon just in case but if you weren't attacked and the police somehow happened to find out that you were carrying a weapon they could areest you on suspicion of intent to attack or something like that. If you have been doing a self-defence martial art such as Ju-Jitsu or Aikido for years and years then you'll probably know how to deal with most weapon-based attacks but if you're a beginner you may not.

[Blindside]

It's always good to carry a weapon just in case but if you weren't attacked and the police somehow happened to find out that you were carrying a weapon they could areest you on suspicion of intent to attack or something like that.


What country do you live in?


If you have been doing a self-defence martial art such as Ju-Jitsu or Aikido for years and years then you'll probably know how to deal with most weapon-based attacks but if you're a beginner you may not.[/

I can give a 12 year old with the right attitude and a knife and make him more than equivelant of most "black belts" in less than 20 minutes.

[Okatz]

Interesting discussion in here.

I do have to agree that you don't need a weapon in order to defend yourself. As long as you know martial arts or even simple hand to hand combat moves, you can defend yourself. However, will you be at an advantage or at a disadvantage in real life?

I asked because there's a good chance that your weapon has an attacker. This means that he's at an advantage. If you also have a weapon with you, you can take back that advantage especially if you know martial arts.

Here's my advice:

1. Learn martial arts or hand to hand combat. I started my hand to hand combat training by reading this blog - http://www.h2hcombattraining.com/
2. Learn how to use a weapon effectively and efficiently. The mere fact that you don't have a weapon shouldn't cloud your judgment in any way.
3. If you're going to use a knife or a gun, be prepared to kill. If you can't handle that or if you're not confident that you can distinguish a "kill or get killed situation" from a situation wherein you can easily flee, get a stun gun or a Yawara and learn how to use it.

[fistlaw720]

If you do.. make sure you fully understand "Deadly Force"

[kungfu penguin]

i always feel that it is better to have a weapon and not need it rather than needing a weapon and not have it!:ultracool