Why Armed Self-defense?

I’ve been meaning to write about this and cover it in as much detail as I can.  Armed self-defense is not a topic that can be covered in a short article.  So, I’m going to break it down into multiple articles.  And, even then, the sum of my articles cannot be considered a comprehensive tome.

I will also readily admit that I am not the ultimate nor the penultimate expert on this topic.  There are MANY real experts who have written extensive books, created videos, and teach a multitude of participatory courses.  I am but a dentist who has an interest in the topic.  I would encourage you to explore and educate yourself beyond my articles.

You’re crazy (and wrong), Mike!

Recognizing that this can be a controversial topic, I will start by limiting this article to articulating the rationale for armed self-defense.  I will get into the details and mechanics of armed self-defense in future articles.  I am not here to convince you to change your mind.  I offer food for thought.  Your mileage may vary.  🙂  If you’re adamantly against the notion of armed self-defense, you’re probably not going to like this article.  And, I respect your choice.  However, if you’re on the fence or even just curious, read on.

Why Armed Self-defense?

Poor situational awareness here.

First and foremost, I believe that self-defense, self-preservation, and simply refusing to be a victim (of violent crime) is a natural-born right (or God-given, if you prefer).  I cannot fathom any argument that would deny any individual human’s right to defend him/herself against those who wish to do him/her harm (or worse).  Furthermore, that natural right to self-defense extends to defending your own family or anyone else you feel compelled to defend.

The brilliant authors of Constitution of the United States saw fit to guarantee this right by restricting the government from infringing upon the right to keep and bear arms (to defend ourselves against personal harm and a tyrannical government)- with the 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

You can arm yourself with a variety of weapons.  But, for the purposes of this article, I am referring to the use of firearms, as they are the most practical in many regards.

Why do I advocate for armed self-defense?  There are a number of rational reasons.  Most of us are not trained in hand-to-hand combat.  And, even if we were, there is always (and often) the possibility of a disparity of force.  That disparity of force can come in a number of forms:

  • The bad guy is bigger and / or stronger.
  • The bad guy is a more experienced or skilled fighter.
  • There is more than one bad guy.
  • The bad guy is armed (with club, knife, gun, etc.).

And, when seconds count, the police are minutes away (and they are not legally obligated to protect you).

Some of us are simply not in a position (nor desire) to take on the bad guy “mano-a-mano” (hand to hand).  A famous line by Danny Glover’s character in “Lethal Weapon” comes to mind:  “I’m too old for this shit.”  And, even if you’re a highly-trained martial artist, it may be folly to take on an armed bad guy (BG).

Hoping I won’t be accused of being sexist, I submit that women are arguably vulnerable to violence perpetrated by men.  Generally, men are bigger and stronger.  A gun can be a tremendous equalizer for women.  An armed 100-lb woman may deal with a 220-lb male attacker.  If she is unarmed, she stands no chance at all.

It will be used against you.

You may hear some argue against armed self-defense by citing an oft-repeated admonition that “according to statistics, your gun is more likely to be used against you.”  Many people are simply regurgitating what they’ve heard so many times (without really knowing the facts).  Well, you know what they say about statistics.  And, it’s important to note that this infamous argument has a fatal flaw:  It includes suicides (as counting as a gun used against oneself).  But, don’t take my word for it.  Do your own research.  And, that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Just ban them!

“Gun Control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound.”

While some believe banning gun ownership would make us all safe and immune from violent crime, reality affirms it’s simply not true.  Again, I don’t want to incite debate.  But, successful armed defense is well-documented.  Banning firearms in the U.S. is simply not going to happen.  And, even if it did, then only the BGs would have guns, leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless.  If gun-ban utopia came to be, and the BGs didn’t have guns, the young and strong criminals would still overpower weaker victims.  A gun is an equalizer between a 70 y.o. man vs. a young thug.  It levels the field between a single young man and a group of drunks with baseball bats.  Countries that have banned guns have seen a dramatic increase in violent crime.  And, that’s all I’m going to say about that.  🙂

It’s a choice.

I respect anyone’s decision to not arm themselves.  And, I have been questioned as to why I choose to do so.  Some don’t question it out of sincere curiosity.  Rather they disparage and dispute it.  That’s OK, too.  I’ve been called paranoid or accused of being over-reactive.  The reality is that crime does happen.  Violent crime happens, even to good people in good neighborhoods.  It can happen even in the “safe haven” of their own homes.  Home invasions do happen.  Just do a Google News search for “home invasion.”  I acknowledge that the probability of being a victim of violent crime is rather small.  So is the chance of me having a head-on collision in my car.  But, I wear a seat belt and like that I have airbags in my car.

I want to live.  I will not, for a moment, accept that some anti-social miscreant might randomly exercise domain over whether I stick around to raise my children or simply continue enjoying what this Earth has to offer for the rest of my natural life.  As a man, I will not allow political correctness (aka the “pussification of America”) to defeat my primal directive to protect myself AND my family.    Feel free to quote me on that.  Your mileage may vary.

Small chances.  Big consequences.

The chances of these things happening is small, yes.  But, the consequences of those remote incidents happening are significant.  They can be life-changing or even life-threatening.  I wear a seat belt, even though I’ve never been in a crash in 32 years of driving.  I have a fire extinguisher in my home and office, though I’ve never been in a fire.  I hope that I never have to defend myself against violent crime, either.  But, I am equally prepared for it as I am a fire or car crash.  Better prepared, actually.

Of course, taking precautions such as seat belts, fire extinguishers, and arming myself are no guarantee of safety or survival.  But, I’ll take any edge I can get.  Previously, I wrote about Situational Awareness being critical to personal safety and security.

It’s not that simple.

Arming yourself requires a bit more forethought, preparation, research, precaution, training, and practice than simply clicking a seat belt or hanging a fire extinguisher on your wall.  It is not a decision to be taken lightly nor undertaken without due diligence.  There is a lot to know, including when lethal force is justifiable and how your state’s laws address self-defense.  There are many factors to consider.  I’m often asked, “What kind of gun should I get?”  A shotgun?  Rifle?  Handgun?  Which brand?  Which caliber?  In my next article in this series, I’ll discuss Choosing a Self-defense Gun.

I am compelled to include this in my blog out my loyalty to and caring about my extended dental family.  I understand some may find it objectionable or consider it inappropriate.  I understand, but I choose to ignore those concerns.  Appealing to everyone has not ever been one of my goals.  🙂  My sincere hope is that none of us is ever faced with a violent encounter.  Stay safe, Dental Warriors.

PS… More recently, I wrote what should be the prequel to this post.  Check it out.

PPS… A few quotes to ponder:

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Thomas Jefferson

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To preserve Liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, and member of the first Continental Congress, which passed the Bill of Rights.

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If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun. — The Dalai Lama

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The whole subject of civilians carrying guns for self defense is discussed too much in the wrong places — ACLU cocktail parties, gun club gatherings — all placid atmospheres far removed from the terrifying reality of violent confrontation with the lawless.  It should be discussed in prisons, where professional criminals are remarkably candid about their avoidance of armed citizens who can fight back. 

It should be discussed in rape crises centers.  Ask a woman who has been raped, whether she ever wished she had a gun when it happened … and whether she had bought one since.  Her reply is likely to be “yes” to at least the first, and often to both. 

Talk to the bereaved who lost their loved ones to the streets.  Talk to those who have been violated in their homes.  Ask them how they feel about passive non-resistance.  And when you have attuned yourself to the haunting fear that lives with them forever after their nightmare, you will be ready to talk with someone else who was in their place, but survived unscathed because they were armed.  The contrast will be striking. 

These survivors don’t put notches on their pistols, and they don’t brag about what they had to do… The taking of a human life, no matter what the circumstances, is an unnatural act, an emotionally shattering experience that leaves its own scars forever. But none of those people regret what they did, and to a man, their first reaction was to go home to their wife and children and hug them, tightly and wordlessly.Masaad Ayoob (internationally known firearms and self-defense instructor)

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PPPS…  Got some range time in today (11/27):

It can be a zen experience!  It really is very relaxing.

Paper threat – eliminated!  Practice, practice, practice.

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13 Responses to Why Armed Self-defense?

  1. Michael says:

    Good BLOG Mike. I carry a Ruger LCP 380. It is so small and comfortable I can just slip in and its holster in my pocket. I started carrying after my neighbor got murderd at his ranch.

    http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6988330

    • The Dental Warrior says:

      Thanks, Michael. Very sorry to hear about your neighbor. I just read the story you linked. Very sad. Good detective work by the police.

      I hope you practice regularly. With a .380, shot placement will be critical.

      • Michael says:

        Every time I go to the range I shoot the little gun. Practice taking it out of the pocket. It is no fun to shoot. But I would rather have the little 380 then my bare hands. I don’t want to mess with any of the inside the waist band holsters and bigger guns right now. I have one of those little lock boxes (press a combination of buttons and it opens) downstairs. When I come home I instantly go put the gun up. I keep the 380 there and a full size loaded pistol. My gun safe is upstairs.

        Being situationally aware is critical. I am always scanning and looking. Nothing super crazy, but being aware of your surroundings is easy if you just do it.

        LOL, for the first time today I had to clear the house. We left to go to grandma’s house today. We came home and the door in the garage was open. I saw it right away (situational awareness) when the garage door opened. I told the wife to hold tight. I walked in and the home alarm was still on and had not gone off. One of our kids must of opened the door thinking we were going through garage when today we went out the front door. One I came inside the motion detector went off and the alarm started beeping. I disarmed the alarm. Then I cleared the house. Because the motion detector went off when I came in I did not go get the full size pistol. But having a gun coming into the house made me less nervous.

        Its a crazy world out there.

        (ps: your racecar website inspired me to make a dirt bike dentist website. Funny what people will look at and research. I have had a lot of new patients comment on my dirt bike site. I am also about to get a shootingdentist.com website up. I practice outside of Houston. My patients love all my gun magazines in the reception area. This week I am sending my paperwork to get my FFL. Come get your teeth cleaned and pick up your transfer or new gun!!! )

    • Mike E says:

      Michael, I have a Ruger LCP 380 as well. I carry it when I cannot take my Glock 30 which is a much larger/heavier weapons system. FWIW I think weapons system sounds much better than “gun” 🙂

      The Ruger is fantastic for a “belly gun” you need to be close, but better that then nothing, right?! I practice with it as well. While not uncomfortable for a box of 50, that would be my limit. My Glock on the other hand would be comfortable after several HUNDRED rounds. Thats a lot of practice lol!

      But in the end, I do like carrying the Ruger, you don’t even know its there, and it could be a lifesaver, good luck in never having to find out!

      Mike

      • The Dental Warrior says:

        FWIW I think weapons system sounds much better than “gun”

        I like “life-saving medical device.” 😀 I hope I never actually need it.

        The LCP is a popular pistol.

  2. The Dental Warrior says:

    Here’s a recent story (from this weekend) illustrating how armed citizens save lives every day:

    COEUR d’ALENE – Tim Patterson has no doubts he would have pulled the trigger.

    He’s glad he didn’t have to.
    But when a woman is being attacked by a man with a knife, Patterson says he’ll do what must be done.
    “If he had not stopped what he was doing,” he says, his voice fading. “He came very close to dying. Really, really close.” Read the full story by clicking the link below.

    http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_21155766-d172-5cf3-8425-f047f2692a66.html

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