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6 Comments

  1. A good essay; thanks! I have long been aware of the deteriorating condition of our societal mores, and the associated increase in violent behavior. For that reason, I’ve been licensed to carry a concealed weapon for many years, and for the past few years have always carried a concealed firearm anytime I am in a public setting. That said, I never engaged in serious research about what constitutes legal self-defense and how to recognize an imminent attack that warrants my physical or lethal response. Meeting the legal requirements of self defense is not as simple of having the advantage of stand your ground laws and “being in fear of your life.” My recent reading of various blogs led me to two books that I feel are a must-read for everyone who carries a weapon for self defense. The first is “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense,” by Massad Ayoob, and “The Law of Self Defense,” by Andrew Branca, an attorney who specializes in self-defense law. Both books are available at Amazon.

  2. Retired after 30+ years in law enforcement I have survived by refusing to over complicate my personal ROEs (they didn’t hire me for my brains). The problem with most classes on the subject of self defense is they are often too complicated. I have found most try to over think this subject (I don’t care why I am being attacked only that I am) while under training for it (bad stuff happens to everyone on a regular basis). Yes that includes the majority of LEOs I have known.So here’s my basic rules…

    1. If attacked I win. Whether deadly or simply physical means of self defense I win and cheating is not only allowed but expected. Avoid always if possible but still, no matter what, I win.
    2. No rules means doing whatever it takes within reason while keeping your ego in check.
    3. Think outside the box.If i’m in my car and facing a deadly threat my car becomes a huge grained projectile…frankly, what’s the difference between a 12 ga slug and my car? Speed and weight.
    4. Keep it simple.Train with what you can do and don’t try to impress others, just do some kind of training. There is no perfect martial arts or even firearm only proficient practitioners. Shoot what you can hit with and fight as your body will allow. Remember to always cheat if you have to fight.
    5. Rules? there are no stinking rules when it comes to you winning. Fuss about the laws and their lawyers after you have done what you must…only because you must not because they insulted your ego.

    My rules are not really tough and can be summed up by simply saying if I must fight, I must win. Do what that takes…and no more. Keep your head up (out of that stupid “smart” phone) and on a swivel. K.I.S.S. and make sure you win!
    Basically, there are no rules when attacked and no dirty pool…the only rule is I win. Whether that means avoiding trouble, if possible, or using a crew served weapon…I win. The possibilities and strategies are so numerous and often random it is impossible to come up with a list of priorities or techniques…use your most deadly weapon, your brain. There is no perfect martial arts or firearm only proficient practitioners.

    1. Mas,

      Those are great Rules Of Engagement, and in a perfect world would serve the rest of us well. But unfortunately the rest of the population are held to a much higher standard than police and don’t have the luxury of ‘qualified immunity’ or the backing of LE and their allies ( prosecutor and Judge )… So we have to think, ( or as you put it, over think ) thru our response to avoid being a victim of the system.

      1. Perhaps you missed a few points. First I am a RETIRED LEO and as such am now a civilian just like I assume you are (besides I never got to see that ‘qualified immunity’ you suggest when active…guess me and every LEO I know was short changed). Second my main point is it is better to be in trouble with lawyers or even law enforcement than to be seriously injured or killed. Too much fretting over the possible consequences can bring mental constipation and inaction when the opposite is what is needed. Frankly that type of worrying instruction seemed to be more and more the thrust of LEO training as I pulled the plug on my career…more designed to reduce department liability than to help line LEOs stay intact. The two departments I worked for and every single other one I am aware of would rarely hesitate to kick a line officer under the bus if it would save them cash and/or a PR headache.

        Train as you will, it’s your life. All I was saying is don’t let civil or even criminal liabilities cause you to hesitate to save your life and limb or that of others you love. And, as the article pointed out fighting dirty is the way all fighting to win is done.

  3. Actually I have read this before, in an article of “book” about TFT by Tim Larkin I think. I liked what I read then and I still like it when reading today.

    1. Tim Larkin was my inspiration for the article but also “On Combat” and “On Killing” by Grossman are in my opinion must reads about the psychology and physiology of combat and killing. Important information if you’re ever in a harmful situation.

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