Principles of Self-Defense Combat

Principles of Armed Self-Defense Combat

1. Don't think of your attacker as a human -- it sounds cold, but that only gets in the way. He -- it -- is a target.

2. If your target has a weapon, run. Even if you have a gun, getting into a firefight is a losing game.

3. If your target has a weapon and you cannot run (for example, if protecting children) shoot it. Do not give it any warning -- no "hands up", no "hold it right there". This is of CRITICAL importance. You MUST get in the first shot, or you are DEAD.

4. If the target is UNARMED, tell it to "freeze". Not "hands up". A hands-up movement is very similar to a gun draw; you can't assure yourself of the difference, especially factoring in adrenaline. Once you are in full control of the situation, have the target SLOWLY get down and lie spread-eagled on the ground.

5. "No sudden moves" is not a joke. If the target makes ANY fast motion whatsoever, especially with his hands near his belt, shoot it IMMEDIATELY. You cannot afford to risk letting it get a weapon of its own. Remember that an average human can move at over twenty feet in a second for short periods of time.

5. Aim before firing. It sounds like it should obvious, but it isn't -- your gut instinct will be to take a fast snap shot. Don't. Firing wildly will only give away your position, and it doesn't matter who fires first -- it matters who HITS first. Practice, practice, practice -- that instinctive snap shot WILL become lethally precise if you drill enough.

6. Always shoot to kill. Do not, under any circumstances, shoot at the target's hands or weapon in an attempt to disarm it. That is movie BS. Shoot at the head or the thoracic triangle (the triangle formed by the nipples and throat). You need to neutralize the target as rapidly as possible.

7. Never shoot once what you can shoot twice. That sounds brutal, but it's a lethal error made by a lot of novice self-defense shooters. Humans, under the right conditions, can survive a stunning amount of damage, at least in the short term. A "double-tap" -- two hits in rapid succession -- causes a lot more damage than two single shots, because the shockwaves from the hits resonate in the body; this is why military assault rifles are usually set to fire two or three round bursts. Continue to fire until the target is obviously no longer a threat.

8. Target fixation can be a major problem in self-defense situations. Do not forget that the target may have accomplices. Move quickly to eliminate all targets; do not allow yourself to relax until you have ascertained that the immediate area is secure, and all threats are neutralized.

9. Once the threat is neutralized, safe your weapon, and await the arrival of law-enforcement personnell. Put it down, but keep it near you in case the target is not actually neutralized. Above all, do not let your guard down until law enforcement arrives!

10. SPECIAL NOTE: Do NOT try to threaten someone with a BB gun except in cases of absolute, dire emergency. Not even an Airsoft type BB gun (those are the ones that look exactly like real guns, mostly military assault wearpons). If you point a gun at someone, you have just escalated the threat level to "lethal". You have to be ready, able, and willing to shoot and KILL. With a BB gun, your only option is to shoot at the face and eyes. An airsoft gun has a definite advantage over an ordinary BB gun in this respect, as many have burst and/or automatic fire capability. Nonetheless, you never want to use a fake gun. The kid in Home Alone 3 was an utter idiot.

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