MODERN SELF-DEFENSE

 by Phillip Starr

For all of the defensive maneuvers against an armed enemy, there is one weapon for which our martial arts ancestors had no defense at all. Firearms. Specifically, handguns. Such weapons simply didn't exist back when our martial disciplines were being developed. Handguns didn't become common until fairly recently and it's well to bear in mind that they're still very uncommon in many countries, especially those of Asia. Most martial arts teachers in Asia have never in so much as touched a handgun, let alone actually fired one...or had someone threaten them with such a weapon. Thus, many of the defensive maneuvers that they teach students to use against an opponent armed with a firearm are...flawed. Some of them are flawed very, very badly.

Bearing in mind that this area of self-defense training is relatively new, it's best to listen and learn from those who've been there and done that. I learned much from students of Col. Jeff Cooper (dec.), retired officer of the Arizona Border Patrol, Founder of Gunsite (combat shooting school), and a world-renowned expert on the use of firearms, who had studied gunfighting in minute detail.

In dealing with defensive maneuvers against an armed enemy, it's well to consider more than just how to move and strike. The first consideration should be given to the psychology of the opponent. Why does he feel the need to arm himself? Is he confident, cocky, or frightened? How skittish is he?

Is he talking? Is he giving orders or telling you what he wants? When an individual is speaking, his reaction time is slowed by almost 50%! If you're going to go for it, that's be the most appropriate time, don't you think? And there are other very small, almost imperceptible actions that can be used to distract an aggressor's mind and slow his reactions.

The second major area of consideration should be given to handguns and how they work. I'm sure this sounds foolishly obvious to some of you but believe me, I've met many instructors who honestly didn't know the mechanical differences between a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun! And that can mean the difference between living and dying. For instance, if an opponent is pointing a handgun at you and the hammer is down, how can you prevent the weapon from firing? How about if the hammer is cocked back? If it is, be assured that the weapon will probably discharge when you execute your defensive maneuver.

Remember, almost none of the folks who develop handgun defenses have ever stood in front of one that was being held by someone who meant to do them grievous harm. Having served as an undercover narcotics enforcement agent, I have. More than once. And believe me, when it happens at close range, all you can see is a MASSIVE muzzle that looks lie it's big enough to maneuver a Volkswagen through!

When defending yourself against a knife, you can (and very likely will) get cut and continue to fight. Such is not the case with a firearm. If you're shot, the force with which you are struck is tremendous and will probably knock you down. Don't believe the Hollywood versions where the hero takes a round in the shoulder but manages to stay on his feet and fight back. Nope. He's going to be knocked to the ground and the bad guy will probably put several more rounds into him before he has a chance to react.

And as is the case with any weapon, don't grapple with the enemy in an effort to disarm him. Then you're fighting the weapon instead of the person wielding it. The weapon is harmless without his help, so focus on stopping him! You don't need to disarm him to do that. In the case of a handgun, you simply need to have the muzzle pointed somewhere other than at you.

Use defensive maneuvers that are simple, easy to remember, easy to apply, and learn from those who have walked that thorny branch of the path.