I could feel him slipping from my grasp.
Twice my size, the suspect was a force to be reckoned with when he was sober.
The influence of cocaine made him a raging animal.
If you are unaccustomed to violence, will you hesitate when you are morally and legally authorized to defend yourself? Image: Adobe/Bits and Splits
I was in prime shape as was my partner.
It was about 3 am in the middle of a hot Georgia summer.
The suspect inched close to his bedroom where he was known to have multiple firearms.
Do we talk enough about the right mindset for defensive encounters? Are you mentally prepared for responding to an attack?
Somehow, my partner was able to do something similar just before he reached a firearm.
My shirt was ripped and covered in blood mine and his but he was in custody.
Strength, endurance and skill all played a role.
While you must be trained and skilled in the use of your defensive firearm, do you also have the proper mindset to use it?
I maintain, however, that the will to fight was what got me home that night.
Willingness to Fight
Frequently, gun people talk about tools and equipment.
Less frequently, we talk about training.
Have you invested in the proper training and skills to effectively defend yourself if faced with an unavoidable threat?
Sadly, we talk even less about the right mindset needed for survival.
Interpersonal violence is abhorrent to civilized people.
Violence for perceived slights or personal gain is never appropriate.
Some resources can help you understand the laws surrounding the use of force. Massad Ayoob, for example, offers both books and in-person training on the subject.
For those who live in violence, it is simply a way of life.
Violence can bring wealth, respect and power.
And therein lies one of the problems: criminals are comfortable using violence while many good people are not.
Don’t wait until you are confronted in a dark alley to consider the law. Study now so you won’t hesitate when forced to defend yourself against an unavoidable threat. Image: Adobe/Innovated Captures
The FTOs job is not easy.
Sadly, the street is not a forgiving learning environment, and the penalties for failure can be steep.
In the academy, recruits are taught communication skills, defensive tactics and firearms use.
The right to self-defense comes with the responsibility to use only that force that is reasonable. That can vary widely depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.
But, nothing will test a new cop like getting into a fight in the real world.
For many cops, it is the first time they will encounter violence as an adult.
Some will freeze unsure as to what to do because they are mentally unprepared.
Others will panic and overreact.
Both are unacceptable behaviors.
When a rookie responds inappropriately, the FTO can often step in and prevent disaster.
This is part of the process of developing someone from naive to competent.
Some make it, while others do not.
Citizens Field Training?
How can the average citizen develop a fighting spirit without the benefit of a formalized field training program?
The law is tricky.
What is legal in this state may be a felony the next state over.
This uncertainty can create hesitation in people who dont understand what is allowed when facing a violent attack.
Just like a rookie cop you may freeze or overreact.
The best thing you’re free to do is to learn your states laws on self-defense.
Even if you think you have a handle on things, there is a good chance you may not.
Even if you do, laws change.
you should probably keep yourself updated.
I believe several books on the market can help you along the path of understanding.
I consider this understanding to be fundamental to having the right survival mindset.
For me,in-person training with Ayoobis even better than the book.
Some books are written to explain state laws.
Not all of them are good, but some of them are excellent in my opinion.
As a solid supplement to Ayoobs training, I recommend theActive Self Protection channel on YouTube.
The host, John Correia, presents daily videos showing self-defense encounters.
He then breaks each one down, showing what went right and wrong.
I recommend taking these in small doses to better understand the lessons in each.
Final Thoughts
The right to self-defense is fundamental to all living things.
It is one of the self-evident truths the founders recognized and later enshrined in the Second Amendment.
However, the right does not guarantee safety.
You must have the tools to defend yourself to ensure your protection.
Remember, your will to survive is one of the most important tools you’re free to have.
Like any other tool, however, you have to keep that willingness to fight oiled and sharp.
That means we need to have moral clarity and an understanding of the legal ramifications of our actions.
Were the good guys and we should always act like it.
