1. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Don't be concentrating on work, your love life or school. When you're on the street you need to be alert. Walk with head up. Walk strong.
2. If you feel afraid DO SOMETHING. Fear warns you.
3. When it is obvious that you are going to be attacked, take action at the first sign of threat.
4. If there is not time to flee, fight until you know you are safe.
5. If you carry a weapon. Know how to use it. Practice with it. Have it in easy reach.
I know many of my readers are married. I would think that more than a few of you have older daughters. But how many of you have had "that talk" with them. You know the one. The one about carrying concealed?
My daughter has a Glock. Now before you all jump up and down about bad parenting :-) I TOLD her she'd like a 1911 better, but you know how headstrong redheads are, so she has her Glock. If it was good enough for Grandma why listen to her mother. . . .
As my regular readers know, I did not raise her. I got pregnant just out of high school and gave her up for adoption. An open adoption where she could find me as an adult if she wished. With her parents blessing, I met her when she was 18. We are close. She has red hair, is 6 feet tall, and like me, loves sci-fi, steaks and the outdoors and, not to my surprise, had already learned firearm safety. I'm invited to the family gatherings. I was there when she graduated from college. I didn't lose out on 18 years to ever lose her again, so before she moved out on her own, we had "the talk", with her parents support.
For a young woman, for anyone, there are various methods of self defense. First and foremost is the brain. You always have it with you, and for most folks it's been optimized by evolution to keep you alive (though there are Darwin Award candidates that have proved me wrong).
Your brain is your best weapon with proper back up. The brain is an amazing thing. If you could witness it working, if it light up like a circuit board as it went about its processes, different areas would be popping on and off, one after the other. Those patterns, in their firing, are formed from unique experiences of our lives, giving rise to "instinctual" actions that are really based upon everything we've ever read, seen or felt, informed decisions at a speed of sound that could never be made by logic. All of these brilliant points of light taking place just beyond conscious thought, lightning strikes from shadowy clouds in the night.
Add drugs or alcohol to the mix and the lights become erratic sparks. Dimmer and dimmer. I enjoy my beer as much as the next person, and I didn't tell her she should never drink or that she wouldn't make it to 21 without one or two really good hangovers. But she knew the dangers, , drilled in from all of us, including a grandmother who is an LEO as well. Women who are solitary and intoxicated are the easiest of prey. Lambs led to slaughter.
It's not just the brain that will aid you in flight or fight. What I tried to pass on was that our whole body adapts to the environment, not just our brain. A lifetime of experience shapes our body's response and only a subtle change in the environment can mean that your body may not have the proper response, unless it's trained to respond.
Her brain is a self defense tool, but only if she practices the body's response to threat. Shooting paper targets teaches her hand eye coordination. What about moving targets? What about shooting in cold, dark, or wind? A rapist is not as likely going to try and snatch you from the parking lot in bright sunshine, though it does happen. Evil likes the darkness, and if there's weather adding noise to the elements to cover the scuffle, even better.
There's another factor biological of the body that needs to be considered. Stress releases cortisol in the blood, invading the hypocampus and interfering with how it works. The amygdala is powerfully connected to the rhinal cortex, the anterior cingulate, the ventral prefrontal cortex - the sensory cortexes. This means that the inputs and outputs of memory are affected and most people are incapable of performing anything but the most simple of tasks under stress. Stress also limits the abilities to perceive. Cortesol and other stress hormones interfere with the prefontal cortex, where perceptions are processed and decisions are reached. You will see less, hear less, missing cues that might save you. Everything becomes irrelevant noise, and if you are fumbling with a gun that you never took the time to learn to use until it was as natural as breath, the only sound your brain may register in that last moment is your scream.
You can prevent many crimes by being aware, using your eyes, your ears, and your brain. Prevent before you are in that fight or flight stress mode. But you must train. Prevention can fail, the body will flood with stress hormones, and even Superwoman will need to have something a little stronger than sass to protect herself. A confident, survival oriented attitude combined with a means to protect that is second nature, without hesitation, is a devastating combination.
If you truly believe you are strong, worthy of protecting, protecting to the death, you will project that attitude to those around you, and the average punk will tend to leave you alone. I'm told I walk differently when I'm carrying. I know I do.
Which is where we got to the carry part. On the college campus, they were handing out whistles. They called them "safety" whistles, not rape whistles. Rapes did not decrease.
I had missed out on telling her Fairy Tales as a child. But I could tell her this one. Believing that someone will come to your rescue when you blow a whistle or set off a siren is just that, a fairy tale. Don't fall for it. Not only are noise-makers and rape whistles ineffective at deterring crime, they are likely to do more harm than good, for several reasons.
When you hang that whistle around your neck, you are acquiescing to passivity. You are saying "I'm not strong enough to fight. I'll depend on someone else to rescue me!". You are pretty much betting your life that someone will hear the alarm, and if they respond, are capable of stopping the attack. That is way too many "if's" in one paragraph for me. Too much out of MY control.
The outcome of an attack is usually decided upon with the first 8 -10 seconds. It may be just grab the purse and run, it may be to kill. It's that fast. And you aren't privy to the thought process. But the act of activating the alarm or blowing the whistle can take 2 to 20 seconds. If the noise doesn't work, you're out of time, game over, and the criminal is free to try the other options he originally hadn't planned but now he might rethink. Rethink, seeing as how he has you all to himself and you can't hurt him. Stop or I'll toot is a joke.
Oh, and those little strings the whistles come on? They make great tools for strangulation or just choking into unconsciousness so he can take you elsewhere for his fun.
If you didn't have the whistle, you could scream, more time wasted while you increase your chances for victimization. Garner that breath, harness that adrenalin and fight. With tooth, nail or 9 mm. Fight as long as you have breath or can get away.
If you want to carry and legally can, do it. Don't let society, your peers or your environment dictate something as important as your life. Hecate tells a story of a rangemaster at the gun school, a sheriff's deputy, who met a nurse in the course of his work, a nurse who had serious ex-boyfriend problems. After responding to one of her 911 calls, he told her she should get a handgun. He offered to advise her on weapon selection and arrange for training.
She said she'd think about it, and asked her hospital colleagues what they thought. Thoroughly indoctrinated in pacifist attitudes, they were horrified and told her she should get a whistle instead. That was what she decided to do, and the deputy said he could not talk her out of it.
When her body was later found in the hospital parking lot, the whistle was still between her teeth. She had blown it until it filled up with blood as she died.
I think it's time you had that talk.
48 comments:
A)..... Possibly the soundest advice offered anyone since John Galt's speech.
B) I dearly wish I had written this.
C) I am going to link this post on my sidebar. It's important that people read it.
Thank you for writing it.
My girlfriend and I go to the range and practice at least once a month. However, neither of us is politically connected enough to get a CCW permit out here in Kalifornia. I think we're relatively safe at home, but out on the street is another matter entirely. The only thing we can legally carry is pepper spray, so I bought her a couple of the Kimber pepper blasters...one for her car and one for her purse.
It might not completely stop an attacker, but hopefully it would slow them down enough so she could get away.
I just hope we never have to find out.....
If you truly believe you are strong, worthy of protecting, protecting to the death, you will project that attitude to those around you, and the average punk will tend to leave you alone.
I'll take that a bit further to say that as a parent I try to project the attitude on my kids that they and their mother are worth protecting, to the death if necessary. My hope is that one day they will come to this realization, be able to do this for themselves, and know that it is right for them to do so.
My daughter, who's 8, asked me the other night after a bout of nightmares if I kept my pistol in the nightstand close to my bed or in the safe. She told me that she didn't think I could get to it fast enough unless I kept it by my bedside. She's starting to understand.
When it comes time to have the serious part of this conversation, I'll remind her of that. Until then, I'll continue to project that she's worth fighting for, and see to it that I've taught her those skils when the time comes for her to make that decision.
Excellent essay! I agree that society has indocrtinated women into believing that they cannot defend themselves and must rely on others to do it for them. Nonsense. Whistles, alarms, etc. do nothing to protect a woman from a violent attack.
Women, in my opinion, have a better chance of convicing other women that they can defend themselves. Unfortunately, you have to overcome the "Oprah and Katie Couric" Factor.
Mike
It sickens me that thinking this way is marginalized as paranoid delusions. And most often from people who go to great lengths to promote faithlessness and natural selection--logic is optional I guess.
Brigid,
After reading your blog for several weeks now, I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write in a public domain so that we all can enjoy.
Your writings are excellent and both my wife and myself are reading them. What can I say, we like guns and food!
I hope this particular article gets maximum exposure because it is reality, something so many people ignore.
Our daughters are only 20 months and 4 years, but we already have guns tucked away for them and we take them out shooting so they can watch and learn.
On Superbowl Sunday we went to Glass Butte between Bend and Burns, looked for gold sheen obsidian, ate venison jerky, apples and cheese and did some shooting. Saw a huge bobcat and had a great day.
So add to your roster another family that eats dinner at the table every night, works together, plays old games together and shoots together.
We wish you all the best from the Oregon High Desert.
Excellent, as usual. If I may add to your points:
1. Situational awareness includes not being plugged into an iPod, reading email on a BlackBerry and talking or texting on the cell phone. I cannot tell you how many people I’ve seen so preoccupied with those gadgets that they walked in front of moving cars!
2. Trust your instincts. “Civilized” people talk themselves out of listening to that inner voice that says "something isn’t right" and by rationalizing, become victims.
As tragic and unnecessary as that nurse’s death was, it proves something I always thought. Self-defense is the litmus test for survival in humans. Animals have the instinct for self-preservation but it has been bred out of many people. “Flight or fight” has been reduced to flight or die. I shed tears for those who fight and lose, not for those who willing accept victimization.
Thanks for this, Brigid. I've been meaning to hie me back to the range for practice and sign up for a good class or two on firearm self-defense; maybe this week I'll actually do so.
That permit won't to me any good, after all, if I'm not mentally prepared and carrying.
Sad story about the nurse. I find that the nurses in the areas where I work...the ICU and ER nurses...are anything but pacifists. I know many who shoot regularly, and a few who have physically beaten away attackers in the course of their work or personal life. These women are tough. On the other hand, nurses in less aggressive areas of the hospital are often more passive by the nature of their work, and it shows in the difference between ICU care and Floor care. I think a more self-aware, self-reliant personality is just more likely to survive in any environment than a passive person.
If only more people were willing to defend themselves instead of relying on the police or "other people," the world would be a better place.
"When you hang that whistle around your neck, you are acquiescing to passivity. You are saying "I'm not strong enough to fight. I'll depend on someone else to rescue me!". You are pretty much betting your life that someone will hear the alarm, and if they respond, are capable of stopping the attack. That is way too many "if's" in one paragraph for me. Too much out of MY control."
Brigid? You baby are spot on....Having been a campus cop after the Army I got a Campus Police Force assembled after several rapes in a womens dorm, thank ya very much.
This rings so true, it ain't funny.
Nothing is more horrifying than being helpless to stop anyone from being assaulted.
That I can, will & do attest to. Per your usual self, Mom knows best.
Send her to Greg for tactical training if you don't have the time.
God bless her and you....Only warriors come from mothers.
Stay firm, steady.
She is more than free to holler if the rest of the crew can't make it to her aid.
Uh young lady?
A mindset of ten on your part will keep bad boys at bay...
Hope you don't mind if I save this one for Kyleigh in a few years...
My mother called me today and told me about an article that said you should keep your keys by your bed. The idea is to activate your car alarm in the event of a home invasion. It was all I could do to keep from laughing in her face. The only thing I keep by my bed for home invasions is a big heavy Maglite and a .20 gauge. Car alarms just piss people off.
Wonderfully well written with impact for the reader. I wish we could get our Illinois legislators to read something like this.
Don't worry Brigid I won't distribute a link that'll bring all of them here. Would you consider allowing an edited handout for our IGOLD (Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day) event March 11?
Great post Brigid! Thank You, I'll send my daughter, and son, over this way.
I have 3 daughters. 2 adults & 1 ten yr old. All three know how (or are learning) to handle some type of firearm.
Daughter # 1 lives in Filthadelphia. She learned how to handle rifles at a mandatory (mandatory!) course at her Univeristy there. She has not learned to handle a handgun well yet and current courses plus work do not provide her the time. (Additionally, although Pa. is very gun friendly, Philly with Mayor Nutter --yeah, his real name -- is not) and rather than rely on something she is not yet ready for she carries Kimber's Pepper Spray. Always. That will change as soon as possible. She wants it to just needs to find a way to fit it in.
Daughter # 2 attends a Universiity in Pa. where firearms are prohibited. She shoots the most with me prefers a Walther PPK/S in .380 or my very old Walther PP in .32. She's thin but muscular, tried shooting my .357 & .45. Found the reoil pushed the envelope on her chronically dislocating shoulder (rugby player). She does not have an LTCF yet (in Pa. it's a License To Carry Firearms, concealed or otherwise -- open carry is not prohibited here nor do you need a license for open except in Filthadelphia) but likely will once she's out of school and can shoot more regulary.
Daughter # 3 is 10. Knows dad carries a gun 24/7 (except where verbotten). At her age she favors a Ruger Bearcat in .22lr. Very cute wearing those big earmuffs & glasses ;>)
All 3 know I carry of course. They also know where all the loaded guns are within the house in case they need them. I have no worry over the 10 yr and the loaded guns. She is well aware if she wants to handle or shoot a gun she need only ask & respects that. She's been tp the range with me a few times and though she shoots .22 she knows what kind of trouble a .45 can cause. If Company or her friends come over the guns are secured much better.
As for me carrying in the house they've gotten used to it since I decided to after Virginia Tech. The gun goes on in the morning comes off at night. Showed them a couple stories about home invasions that went badly for the intended victim verse those that went very badly for then badguys and understand.
Curiously the only one who doesn't shoot is my wife who grew up on a farm and handled hsotguns all her young life. But we're wearing her down and even my 70 yr old mother the other day said she might like to try shooting.
That could be interesting. . .
Superb post! The body can't go where the mind hasn't been, that is why mindset is so important. Thanks for expressing it so clearly.
This should be required reading, for young people AND parents, everywhere!
Joanna: "The idea is to activate your car alarm in the event of a home invasion. It was all I could do to keep from laughing in her face. The only thing I keep by my bed for home invasions is a big heavy Maglite and a .20 gauge. Car alarms just piss people off."
Sometimes it is the simple things that can or will save your life...Not ridiculing but you're Mom had the right idea.
Anything may draw attention to the situation. Only other suggestion I have is learn something like aikedo.
Otherwise if you are prepared go for a "kill band" shot. Between the eyes, the area of eyes and ears to bring down your attacker if you happen to be so armed.
A .22 can take them out, trust it and your ability to shoot. It's nasty but relevant.
Otherwise, if unarmed fight as if your life depends on it because it does.
Groin gouging works, there is not one man or woman can stand the pain...
Unless they're sensory dead.
Any area you can gouge, eyes and groin really work and do so with the intent of winning....
Train and condition yourself all you can to maintain a mind set of ten....
A punk can read it and pass you by.
I wonder if that nurses pacifistic associates could successfully be sued for wrongful death. I think it's time to use the tactics favored by the left upon the left. When an innocent girl/woman dies, and Brady literature is found in her home, or on her computer, I'll instruct her survivors to lodge suit against the relevant anti-gunners.
captcha = antisere anti Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape
I may be trying that SERE at home.
Blowing a whistle is the only thing my government will allow its citizens (both male and female) to do in a threatening situation. They won't even allow us to carry pepper spray. The official stance is to allow the bad guy to take whatever he wants and the victim to do nothing to hinder him. It makes me so angry when I think about what has happened here. PLEASE, don't let your country go the same way.
I can't have this kind of conversation with 99.9% of my friends. I've forwarded on disaster preparedness items to a forum that I frequent as well as to my email address book, and garnered nasty attacks in response. One woman even accused me of being a paranoid gun nut when I suggested that people have a few months worth of food in house in case of disaster. When I pointed out that I never mentioned anything about guns in the post, she told me that I was being paranoid, and that she preferred to dwell on more pleasant subjects.
I believe that most people live in a state of constant denial about how safe they are in the world. When someone brings up topics like this, it causes that blissful state to run up against reality, and that causes fear and discomfort. To jettison the discomfort, people attack the messenger who disrupted their irrational state.
BTW, one of the famous firearms instructors now carries a black rifle in a viola case with him when he's out and about. His take is that if a terrorist incident happens or some civil unrest goes down, he doesn't want to be away from home base with a tiny pistol and a few clips of ammo. I'm starting to think that he's right.
Im left kind of speechless, just want to say great speach. Sending a copy to my daughter.
Hey Lady,
If you don't know it by now, you are one HELL of a good mom.
So few kids are being told that the world just isn't a nice place today and that bad things DO happen to good people. Some day,(I hope and pray) the lion MAY lie down with the lamb, but unfortunately these days, the only way that will happen is if you keep replacing the lambs.
Thanks for having the love and good sense to share that with your girl and with the followers of your blog.
"Stop or I'll toot is a joke"
Well maybe not if you just had a large helping of taco bell....but then that's not what you had in mind.
Powerful writing, Doctor. I'm printing it out and sharing it with my children, a girl and a boy.
Share it with the NRA's "Refuse to be a Victim" program, please.
http://www.nrahq.org/rtbav/
... and no doubt you carry a speedloader, Bianchi speed strip or both loaded with extra ammo for that five shooter and have practiced reloading with them under stress, in the dark and when your hands are cold and wet.
If not, get to it. Armed women are beautiful because they're going to be around longer to love.
streetsweeper: Actually, I'm in level two Krav Maga classes right now, which is why I won't bother with the car alarm. One of the main things we learn is that fights are decided in hundreths of a second. I am not about to waste that time fumbling in the dark for a small black object that will probably get knocked to the floor before I can use it. I am going to reach for the big black object that can take someone's head off in one shot.
Barring that, a three-fingered eye gouge followed by a hammerfist to the back of the ear would probably do the trick.
"Do Something"! indeed. A lot of folk will sort of stand there like a sheep for the slaughter, which is the expected course of action. Moving, drawing, running, etc. puts the attacker outside the "OODA" loop- they now have to reorient, react and catch up. I used this very effectively to escape a mugging in sleepy little anywhere USA. Also, the "Central Park at night scenario is unlikely- muggers and rapists are going to act like any other predator-they go where the prey is, not to some desert.We think being in an area with no other people is more dangerous, but that is BS. Nobody , NOBODY, is going to help- even in a crowd. we have been so damn neutered by lawsuits and the "leave it to the authorities" attitude the odds of someone helping are infinitesimal.
Criminals will seek the edges, haunt the fringe- look for them in pass through areas, where you have to walk to get from the parking lot to the concert, on shortcuts from one visited area to another, etc.
I have just read your essay to my daughter. I'm no actor, but I know how to give life to the written word.
She is in tears.
I have asked to be allowed to read this fine piece for my grand daughter, and then begin to prepare her for life as an adult.
This discussion may take some time.
Thank you for your fine words and your well-written piece.
I work for a major grocery retailer in an area of South Phoenix affectionately known as "the Combat Zone."
A few weeks ago, one of the local mis-creants attempted to "car-jack" one of our customers as she approached her car with her groceries.
She had the presence of mind to hit the "panic button" on her car keys and then threw them as far away as she could! Lights started flashing, the horn began honking, and Billy Joe Badass didn't know what to do with himself.
A couple of our better customers came to see what the ruckus was, and upon learning that Billy Joe had tried to accost one of their neighbors, they commenced to beating the snot out of his sorry... self.
This was not some spur-of-the-moment response; she had thought this through, she had planned it in her mind for some time. When it came time to act, she acted.
Brava!
One of the best articles on the subject I've read.
I have a CHL (currently expired, awaiting the paperwork to go through to renew) and some people I know are horrified to find out that I carry. I am amazed to find out that they would rather rely on the police, or some fantasy of peaceful resistance for their safety.
My entire family took Krav Maga until I had serious knee injuries, including our then 10 and 16 year old daughters. Our instructors taught them that even small girls have the ability to protect themselves through situational awareness and the preparedness to go "cat in a bath crazy" if someone tried to hurt them or take them somewhere against their will. The girls, now 12 and 18, cannot legally carry, but the 18 year old has already said she will get her CHL as soon as she turns 21, and we are training her with the tools that are available to her now, as she's going off to college this fall.
No one has to be a victim. We should have these talks with our kids starting at VERY early ages. Thank you for an eloquent reminder that it's also an ongoing conversation.
Excellent Brigid!
Over the past week a nurse was attacked and sexually assaulted in the hospital I work in. She fought the attacker off with her scissors.
Afterwards, Administration and security recommended......... Whistles.
Several nurses I have trained related they would simply fill his ass with lead.
FWIW, my daughter (the one old enough) carries a Mak. God help her......
Well said again Brigid. Thank you.
Wow...as has been said above, this is spot on! I have three daughters (20, 17, and 10), with the oldest in nursing, and yes the story at the end hit home. I'll be having "the talk" with my ladies, especially the oldest, you count on it. We live in a state that is rabidly anti-CCW, so carry is not an option, but fighting back is. I do have some older firearms that I think I'm going to have to introduce the girls to...I've been a bit remiss in that department!
Thanks for your words of wisdom, and your awesome writing!
I showed this to the Mrs, and told her she really should read it.
It's one thing for her to hear it from the men-folk, but it has a whole different level of impact from the ladies.
Thanks.
Brigid, one of my shooting buddies sent this to me a while back and thought it kinda fit...
Why I Carry a Gun
My old grandpa said to me son,' there comes a time in every mans life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin'.
I don't carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people.
I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the
world.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a
cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the
ones they love.
I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am
inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves.
Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.
..author unknown (but obviously brilliant)
BTW your writing is as always...the best.
Joe
I'm six-four, scary as hell to behold, and not a lousy mind. But it didn't do me a spitball of good when the Ferals came to take me down in the UK. By luck alone do I still live.
If you have the ability and legal right to defend yourself, sieze upon that right with both hands and practice, practice, practice every hour you can spare.
Your post is the truth. I hope people learn from it.
1oldsoldier: That is a takeoff of a indeed brilliant piece by my friend Syd at Front Sight, Press. It was posted on his blog (sidebar) Nov. 13 2007. Unfortunately, many people copied it without attribution and it sort of changed with time, and the structure was somewhat changed, but the meaning holds true.
Go check out his blog. He's on hiatus now but the archives are awesome.
Three words for you Bigid;
Out. Of. The. Park.!!
You are indeed a Field General in the cause for personal responsibility of one's safety for all Americans. It's written wisdom like this post that will be the turning point for many to stop relying on others to protect them and get the training to do it safely themselves with a better chance of surviving an attack or avoiding it completely.
Once again, thanks for taking the time.
Brigid,
I followed Xavier's link to your blog. I am very glad I did. I absolutely LOVE your article and it gave me an idea for a weekly video series I do on YouTube called, "Quick Questions For Gun Control Advocates." When I post the video idea you gave me, I'll be sure to give you credit. Here is a link to my playlist if you are interested.
Thanks for the GREAT idea. I think the video will be good! ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1EF58BC51B8F23CE
Our oldest daughter got the talk before she entered high school, and took it to heart.
She's now married, in another state, a part time EMT, besides her other job(s).
She has her CCW, practices regularly, as well as a black belt in TKD.
Miss having her around, especially competing in muzzleloading events, and she's a tough competitor. But better to be out of California.
"streetsweeper: Actually, I'm in level two Krav Maga classes right now"....
Excellent choice, Joanna. I used aikedo as an alternative choice in my post for the simple reason, it keeps both feet on the ground.
Be that as it may, I wonder if your not another woman I know of studying Krav Maga...I know its origins.
Not my place to welcome you here but...but Welcome to Brigid's blog.
She is one heck of a woman.
;)
I'm in no position to talk to a daughter about this, but I've certainly had some talks with female friends my age.
Organizations at my Alma Mater handed out 'rape whistles' to the freshmen women. I cannot see how anyone would trust their safety to something like this, especially when nobody seems to respond to cries for help anymore. (As an aside, anyone who thinks manners aren't important should reflect upon the fact that screams were once a sign of distress, not a form of communication used by drunken or excited sorority sisters.)
Sometimes it seems a little awkward broaching the subject of self defense, but the response I get is pretty amazing. I guess nothing says 'I trust you' quite like teaching someone how to take you down with minimal effort.
I had two great range sessions with my mother this week and she has graduated to centerfire! She is doing quite well with her .22 auto and revolver, so I had her try my Blackhawk with .38 loads, and at 7 yards she puts every shot in the target. The next trip to a sporting goods store will be to look at centerfire pistols that fit her size. I don't have to worry about her living alone now.
Thank you for an excellent post! Having no daughters, my wife and I taught our sons to shoot from age 4 years and up; two out of three still actively shoot, the third is in Mayor Daley's Republic of Chicago at school. I am an Emergency Room RN, my wife a hairdresser; we each keep odd hours. As we live in Illinois, concealed carry is illegal--how unfortunate. Nonetheless, we all believe that one's determination to survive is paramount. Our 20-year-old beats up Martial Arts Bob (the training dummy) with alacrity borne of a few unpleasant encounters;ferocity is rampant in our 17-year-old with 7 years of Shorin-Ryu and (more recently) MMA. With no other formal schooling available nearby, this will suffice until each completes their planned Navy commitments, with emphasis on getting training everywhere they can. I'll send links to you for my coworkers; I've asked Xavier for some help in putting together a class for the hospital re: situational awareness. It amazes me how many women wander around in Condition White while leaving work at 0330!
Brigid,
As promised, I gave you credit for my latest Quick Question For Gun Control Advocates YouTube video.
Thanks again for the idea and I hope I've done you proud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7iWYjHRihI
Brigid,
Good, I'm glad you like it! I try to put up a new video every week so if you've got a YouTube account, feel free to subscribe, rate and comment on my videos. However, if you don't have a YT account, you can still pass the videos along to others.
Thanks again for the idea. If you come up with any more ideas, let me know.
I'd just like to say that this is the best piece of truth I've ever seen to alert potential victims to the foibles of liberal gun fear. It is a sad commentary on gun control agenda indeed that many women and men will not choose to defend themselves with anything more effective than a big noise. I'm bookmarking this piece to use persuasively for educating those that may need more than a whistle in the dark. Thank you very much!
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