Close to Danger

The art of self defense is complicated, but without a plan it is chaotic. Since I have been spending a lot time at formal and social events with my loved ones it has provided a unique opportunity. I like to start with the basics and those have to do with “escorting” loved ones around town. When formal events require formal attire it makes it even more challenging, but it is incumbent on those of us who can to set the example. The irony is much of what I will discuss relates to good old fashion gentlemen etiquette when out with a lady. Aside from shielding her from water, we place ourselves closet to the road to help protect from stray vehicles and road hazards. Thinking about how you walk together starts with the gun hand. I like to walk with my lady on my weak-side. A quick step to the forward oblique with my left foot starts to put my body in front of hers. A good first start.

Walking Together

Shielding is a natural instinct, but is it the right one. A lot will depend on the situation, but as a default I ask them to break contact immediately when a gun is drawn. Whether mine or the suspect’s breaking contact is pro-active. This can be anything from seeking cover, to moving to an exit or even flat out running away. Our pre-planned rally point is our vehicle or the last fixed position if not practical. You should also consider a code word use in a more surreptitious manner. Keeping it more low key might draw less attention. In the most extremis of circumstances when breaking contact is not possible, then staying together attached at the hip is the next best option. Literally, family members are instructed to grab hold of my belt, stay low and hold on. This frees up my hands to manage my surroundings and works with both adults and children.

Walking Hand in Hand

The next challenge is public affection and in this case holding hands or interlocking arms. Both of which I have no problem with and am quite fond of as a matter of fact. By default I avoid holding hands with my gun hand. It is not always practical, but I do make the effort. If you are holding hands with your gun hand then consider other force options you have available. You also want to talk that if I release the grip to immediately release hers no questions asked. Now as we roll into more gentlemen acts a lot of it has to do with the tactical advantage. If we are moving to a nice location such as a high end restaurant I am less inclined to consider the entry point. In other situations I take into account how the door opens, is it a push or pull. Is it see through or solid? If it is see through I can assess what is beyond the threshold and will typically hold the door open from the outside. If it is solid, I typically hold the door open from the inside so that I’m the first one through. Again, it is not always practical, but worth considering. There’s more, but that is for a latter time.

I was raised to treat others with respect and to be a gentlemen. I have adapted this chivalrous code to moderns times and suggest you do the same.

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Stop the madness

Last month in Virginia an armed citizen licensed to carry a concealed weapon stopped a mass killing event. The suspect was sporadically shooting and injured several innocent unarmed people until he was shot. He immediately dropped his weapon and fell to the floor later succumbing to his injuries. Those injured by the suspect’s weapon were able to receive the medical care the needed quickly due to the suspect being neutralized and no deaths occurred as a result. This sounds like a classic case of good overcoming evil and it is for the most part.

The all powerful gun free zone

There is this one pesky detail however, the event occurred within a “gun free” zone. Yep, that’s right the suspect had the audacity to perpetuate his heinous killing spree where firearms are not allowed. I mean come on, he probably didn’t see the signs clearly posted outside the entrances. He randomly choose this location I’m sure because it looked nice. Why is it these criminals and terrorists get a free pass when it comes to gun free zones. Why don’t the owners of these properties get upset about the blatant disregard for their precious safety minded attempts at protecting their patrons. Wouldn’t it be nice if they made as big a stink about how a criminal or terrorist ignores their rules. Why don’t they publicly plea with these groups to take their guns and commit crimes on other people’s property.

The flip side

Well, the armed citizen did violate the existing “gun free” ban and choose to visit this location. Did she know it was a gun free zone, did she care more about protecting her life than following the rules. It is hard to say of course, but this does bring to the surface a very real problem we all face if we choose to ignore the rules and the worse should happen. In this case the property owners publicly thanks the armed citizen for her heroic acts and within the same statement commented how they were reviewing the facts of the incident to determine if they should pursue legal action for violating their gun free rules.

Don’t be surprised

That’s right, thank you for risking your life and saving so many in the process, but we will get back to you about filing formal charges against you for your actions. I know it sounds pretty easy to brush off their claims, to comment how they would never do something to stupid. Before you smugly comment how you would do the same consider this. It is their right to file formal charges no matter how righteous your actions. They are placed in a unique situation, if they do nothing everyone will know they did nothing and they can expect everyone to ignore their precious rules. If they attempt to make the good samaritan  an example I suspect their will be pretty heavy backlash. Either way, they are in a pickle for sure, but they can really only blame themselves.

I think it is only fair we hold these properties liable for our safety by denying our right to self defense. I think it is high time legal action be an option in the aftermath; after all fair is fair.

One last comment, this was all a drill. The incident reported was fictitious, but the exercise was still valid and illustrated some concerns we all need to address.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." Thomas Paine, English-American political activist

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