Is Your Gun a Weapon or a Talisman?

[kellyreno]

The point MB makes about practice and your skills defaulting to your level of practice in a crisis can't be overstated.

I recently took my first tactical pistol course and it was eye-opening to say the least. I am not new to guns and pride myself on my competence and safety.

But...I found out real quick that anyone with an inclination to defend themselves with a gun needs instruction and practice. When we do things at the range, everything works fine, we change mags like rock stars, we shoot tiny groups and think everything is rosy. Try that when an instructor is shouting a target sequence and has filled half your mags with snap-caps and 15 people are watching you and you are being timed.

Point is, when we are at the range or sitting on our couch thinking about self-defense, we are in control of the situation. In a crisis we are not initially in control, we are trying to gain control of the situation. In my class I saw just how quickly "the wheels come off", but also how effectively you can train and learn deal with it. There is certainly some good info on the internet and forums, but I didn't realize until I took the course just how much you gain from legit, hands-on instruction.

The tuition and ammo cost is peanuts compared to what you learn.

My wife is taking a course in a couple of weeks and I will definitely be getting further instruction. (Tactical, practical, defensive firearms training. Not just ccw class).

I urge everyone to do the same.

 

[TDH1988]

Good thread. Train to win.

 

[PiusSemper]

I had a conversation with my wife about this recently. She calls me paranoid because where ever I am I have some sort of weapon, Im looking at my exits, watching my back. Having developed my mindset for a situation in which I can defend myself or her, I spend a lot of time thinking about situations in which I may have to fight for my life, or hers, but that seems to her that I am paranoid. I listened quitely to her tell me how she was not going to walk around the house feeling like she was always in danger. I waited and when she finished I said something that she most likely wont forget. I would rather spend the time practicing, placing firearms in the house strategically, and being ready for the vastly small possibility that we will be attacked, than to be on the floor in the living room bleeding while you are being raped in the bedroom and I cant get to you.

it was a hard thought for me.

So I carry, teach her to carry, shoot and teach her to shoot and fight. I will not be the one who doesnt do for the sake of convenience.
just two copper coins in the bucket

 

[PiusSemper]

what courses are available in the OKC area?

 

[druryj]

A weapon.

 

[boswinger]

Good questions to ask.. As a martial arts instructor, I always warn my students against carrying any type of weapon unless they are mentally prepared to use it.. and to realize if they are NOT ready to use it, it very well may get used AGAINST them. This goes for knives, sticks, anything presented as a weapon.

 

[aleahhahn]

Gun is a weapon for me, It's not a stylish symbol. I had to travel always any time due to my work, so for security reasons it is important for me. And I think that my gun can provide me the best security that i want.

 

[vooduchikn]

Michael,

A very interesting post. Coming from a CCW/OC family (men and women). I was force to really think about your questions for a moment. I would have to say that I am not as aware at times as I should be of my surroundings, We cannot currently carry outside of the property line in the state (Hawaii) that I currently live in. My wife and daughter carry pepper spray, I carry my EDC knife and a firearm when I am at home.

Having been brought up proper, and by proper, I mean around firearms, I trained often. My brothers did the same. Regiments at the gun range, dry fire draws, etc.

One of my brothers was involved in a self defense shooting several years back and the only thing that save his life and left the two carjackers dead right there was his CCW firearm, muscle memory, and his
willingness not to be dead. He has never been the same after this incident, but he is alive and as well as he can be.

After numerous years of litigation, lawsuits for this and that outside of the "criminal" aspect of which he was found free and clear (yes, you can be sued in civil court in Texas). There is another question that one must be ready to answer:

Are you ready for what comes after you have to shoot?

There is plenty out there on this topic, but having watched someone live it, the books and articles make it seem way more simple than it really can become.

 

[Mpdelaney]

Great post and ideas! Thank you!

 

[fredkrueger]

It is hard to imagine how I would be if something life threatening arose. I only hope that I would not react in a way that would get me or someone I love killed. I do need to practice on some of the things that could happen to me or my family. As far as my home goes. I am always next to a firearm. But hopefully I will never have to use any of my weapons either inside the home or away.