What tools do YOU have in your toolbox???
Dave
talking about: Imagine that you have a toolbox and all you have is a
hammer. You would not want to drive a screw in with a hammer, so you
would need to have a screwdriver. What if you needed to tighten a
bolt? Now you need a wrench. This can go on and on.
Now, think of your self defense toolbox. If the only 'tool' you have
is a firearm, then you would only be able to use it in firearm related
situations. The problem with that would be: what if the situation you
are in DOES NOT require, or would not be appropriate for, the use of a
firearm? What would you use then? You only have a tool that solves ONE
type of problem, what can you do for the others?
Solution: go out and learn how to handle the more common situations.
Believe it or not, it could be a slim chance that you would have to
use your firearm to defend yourself. The odds are that you will have
to use other skills more than your firearm skills. Verbal skills,
non-lethal options (pepper spray, etc), unarmed defense skills
(combatives) are more reliable and have a wider use than your firearm
skills. If you go out and learn skills lower on the 'force continuum'
(verbal, spray, hand to hand) you will become more 'rounded' and
acutally lessen the chance that you may have to eventually use your
firearm. Think of it: if you can recognize a situation as it develops,
deal with it and get away, you have ended the situation before it got
too serious. Otherwise, you may somehow allow the situation to
escalate to where you can deal with it with the only tool you have.
Now, it's your turn.......