Amazing how the romance of the ol West is still alive and well in the US. The rest of the world has moved on from the 1700s. You guys talk as if you're in a war zone??
please take advice from sensei here: (martial arts have been using weapons wwaaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer than guns have been around).
Self-Defense Weapons - What is the Best Weapon for Self-defense?
If you are thinking of purchasing a gun, or other "self-protection" weapons, then you know it is Essential to learn how to defense yourself, now more than ever!
Many people will tell you not to buy weapons, but for all the wrong reasons. I am not going to tell you not to buy a weapon. But, before you purchase a gun, or any other "self-protection" device, I urge you to read this first! You need to be able to make an intelligent and informed choice when purchasing something as potentially dangerous as a gun, stun-gun, or spray.
Weapons and "Self-Protection" Devices Prove Ineffective Against Crime!
You probably already know that the statistics on crime are not in your favor. Crime statistics show everyone will experience a violent crime at one time or another. Everyone knows someone who has been a victim of a violent crime. You are probably thinking that it's just a matter of time until it is your turn!
Today, not only do you have to worry about criminals, but now terrorists as well! What is this world coming to? Would you know what to do?
You may be thinking, "Well, I'll just get a gun!" Unfortunately, real-world tests have shown that overall, weapons (or other "self-defense" products) are actually ineffective when it comes to self-defense. Why?
There are many factors that contribute, but the main reason weapons are ineffective is, if the weapon is not in your hand at the moment of attack, you will never get the chance to use it! Even if you have a stun gun or pepper spray in your purse or pocket, if caught by surprise, you won't have a chance to get it out before you get decked! Mace does you no good if it is still in the purse that just got snatched out of your hand! Tests prove that 90% of the time, you will never get the chance to reach for your weapon before you are hurt too severely to use it.
Criminals may be dumb, but they’re not stupid.
Criminals are well aware of the Second Amendment and know that any victim they chose may potentially have a weapon. That means they are already one step ahead of you. They already know what to do if you pull out (or even reach for) a weapon, and running away is not part of their plan.
FBI statistics and Police reports from all over the country show that in more than half of all instances where the victim was able to get to a "weapon" (usually sprays are mentioned), the attacker knocked it out of their hand before they could use it. Police files are filled with tens of thousands of incidents of weapons taken away from the victim and used against them! It is estimated that almost one third of all gunshot victims are shot with their own gun! The figures are even higher when it comes to stun-guns and sprays.
This doesn't even include all of the incidences where the victims shoot themselves!
You may be your own worst enemy
Accidental discharge is the leading cause of gunshot wounds in both crime and non-crime reports. You may think that wouldn't happen to you, but the reports prove that it happens to even experienced gun owners.
I know of a Police officer, even after extensive training, the first time he tried to use mace against an unruly suspect, ended up spraying himself.
Unfortunately, most people have little or no training as to the safe and proper use of the weapons in their possession. What do you think will happen when they attempt to use that weapon under the stress of a real attack? Inadequate, or even improper training is the leading cause of accidental discharge involving guns, stun-guns and sprays.
There are literally millions of incidents reported where the victim couldn't get the weapon to work at all, mainly because of inadequate training! Even the most basic principles of weapon usage are often overlooked by owners. The figures are stunning (I couldn't resist the pun) of the number of incidents of stun guns that didn't work when needed because of dead batteries!
There are thousands upon thousands of reports of guns that wouldn't fire because the "safety" was on, and the user didn't know, forgot, or was too panicked to figure it out in time. In at least one incident I am aware of, the victim couldn't get his weapon to fire before the criminal took it away from him. Lucky for him, the criminal couldn't figure it out either.
If you are serious about Self-Protection… Your best self defense weapon is your mind. If you think about what has just been discussed, you will realize that 'weapons' will only help you in ideal situations.
Crime doesn't happen in ideal situations!
Being able to think clearly, and knowing what to do, is your best weapon when it comes to self-defense. Second best is being able to use your feet. Now, that doesn't mean to start kicking! It means that knowing when to shut up and walk away (or run) is always a much better self-defense tactic than getting into a fight.
However, if you can't get away, your hands and feet are your next best set of weapons! It is essential that you know how to defend yourself without weapons, as well as with weapons.
Knowing how to handle yourself when confronted with violence is your only insurance against becoming a victim, or just another statistic in a police report. You have car insurance, home-owner's insurance, life insurance, health insurance…
What insurance do you have against being the victim of a violent crime? A long-term self-defense program offers the most comprehensive training, and therefore, the best opportunity to learn to handle almost any situation that may occur. However, if you don't have the time to commit to a long-term program, at least some form of weaponless self-defense training is better than none.