Firearms for self-protection: Some truths:

We've all heard it before: "my 45 will beat that kung fu crap anyday."  "Why learn to protect myself, I'll just shoot the person."   "You brought a knife to a gun fight." And all the other ways it's been said.

The notion is pretty clear. In most people's mind, a firearm is the greatest method of personal protection.

But in reality, is it?

I remember training in Judo and Jiu-jitsu with a grizzled old war veteran when some random guy walked into our gym. He basically said to us that while martial arts we're pretty cool, he'd bet on his gun anytime. My judo coach looked at him and asked him, "So, you have your gun on you right now?"

"No, of course not." the man responded.

My coach then look him in the eye and said back, "So, if you ain't got your gun on ya, how in the hell would it protect you if I attacked you right now."

The guy left.

About a week later the guy visited our gym again, this time armed with a training gun. He wanted to show us the firearms superiority. He chose three of us, plus the grizzled old coach to attack him, one at a time, any way that we liked. Each time we were able to close in, take him down, tie his arms up and finish him off with a choke, lock, or ground strikes before he was able to get to his gun.

He later became a student.

In the mid1990's their was a wave of videos in the military and law enforcement world that showed trained officers and soldiers trying to stop a training knife wielding attacker. As long as the attack occurred from a range of 25 feet or closer, the knifer was able to close in and fatally wound the guy with the gun before that person could draw their gun and fire.

I've personally conducted this test many times with clients and it's held true each time.

While firearms are an awesome means of self-protection, they are not a cure all.

Most things taught in firearms classes will not get you ready for a real life altercation.

Learning proper tactical firearms strategy and techniques is the only way to ensure that you're skills will work. And most of the real tactical firearms techniques and strategies start you out with empty hand skills to then allow you to get to your firearm.

Also, a firearm can only be used if you have it on you at the time you need it.

Yours in peace,
Brett