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Originally Posted by rpoole
JWA, I'm very sorry for your experience and loss, and thank you for sharing and for a most thoughtful reply.
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Let me first say congratulations on your spidey senses being on alert in the scenario you described. When we give our instincts credence they personify the phrase "forewarned is fore armed". Even if its just a form of minor paranoia its better to be wary than surprised, thinking or hoping all of humanity is benign and harmless.
I'm happy to share my event if it can be accompanied by a lesson of sorts, attempting to illuminate some aspects of personal defense via a firearm. It's not something most people care to think about much less openly discuss.
On occasion I've been asked what thoughts or feelings my actions that
day are still with me. Being 100% honest I'm somewhat disappointed in myself NOT taking action quicker, that had I acted more on my instinct and to a very minor point the training I'd received my wife would have been spared. Its probably no surprise if such a time ever happens again hesitation will not be part of the scenario.
Keep in mind that thought is due the noticeable increase in general crime where assailants are armed and seemingly not hesitant themselves to taking a life if it furthers their agenda. I like to believe my past experience would serve me much better today because I know someone else might be in jeopardy if *I* don't act decisively immediately.
I will add in the time since any dwelling I will visualizing how I'd self-defend against an intruder. Points of aim I'd take in order to eliminate the threat AND avoid stray bullets from wrecking havoc outside my home's walls. Not many who would be new to firearms or their use would do such a thing which puts them at a disadvantage, IMHO.
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Originally Posted by deserteagle56
I read a lot of news reports telling of people successfully using a firearm to defend themselves. Reports of someone having their own firearm used against them are almost nonexistent. And "unlikely to hit your mark" on a man-sized target at point-blank range is a laughable claim.
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Not being too snarky but until you've been in an adrenaline-fueled self-defense situation where "fight or flight" becomes reality the effects thereof can and do play hell on your physical reactions and perceptions. Its almost too elaborate to discuss so know that in nearly every self-defense shooting it takes an average of three shots on target to physically stop an assailant.
Keep also in mind many, many law enforcement people who rarely shoot their weapons in any scenario more often than not miss their targets. We assume our armed uniform responders are proficient with their weapons and yet they're not. If it were laughable missing a man-sized target were improbably missing a target would not be as frequent or common as it is out in the real world.
I'll sheepishly admit I'm overwhelmed in the positive by the rational, level-headed conversation we're having about this almost always contentious topic. I can't be sure what I expected but am so pleased at the track we've taken so far. Well done us!
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Originally Posted by austineats
A firearm, in my opinion is too likely to be turned against you and regardless of training to unlikely to hit your mark in the heat of the moment.
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Thanks for being honest and with massive respect that mindset is just one reason to avoid owning a firearm.
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Originally Posted by austineats
Bear spray NOT a little jogger’s mace, will blow away pretty much anybody. I keep one just above the driver’s seat. I also have one in the kitchen pantry and in the way back under the bed. We happen to have several from bear country trips, it can be spendy to buy several. But it will a whole lot
Less expensive than shooting someone.
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Since you're comfortable with that as your defense its nearly perfect for you. I have no experience with using any sort of "spray" towards an aggressor so I'd be far less comfortable with deploying it at anytime.
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Originally Posted by austineats
Be safe, have fun, and know that 99.9% of folks are good natured just like you.
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I agree with most of that---much of the time.