When we think about our personal defense, it may be that we spend too much time considering just which gun to carry, which ammo to use and exactly how to carry it. While all of that is certainly worthy of consideration and study, there might be other things that are just as important or even more important. Here are three other areas that the concerned citizen needs to give thought to.
I firmly believe that the greatest defensive tool is awareness. The more that we are alert for possible problems, the more options we have to deal with it. If I see the problem from across the street, I have time to make sure the door is locked while I call for help, I can take cover or I can prepare to deal with it depending upon the particular circumstances. I also have time to evaluate things and decide on exactly which option is the best. All of that is of little use if the threat is in my face when I first become aware of it.
Another important defensive technique is to develop good tactics. The topic of tactics covers a lot of ground. It is the smart armed citizen who not only has a defensive plan, they have several of them based up situation and location. At any given time, they know where the closest cover and exit are located, and they have a plan to get to them. They have learned ways to talk to people in order to make an attempt to calm tempers. They have taken the time to learn techniques for dealing with unarmed threats, and make every effort to improve their physical condition to be better able to survive an attack. When we consider the various kinds of criminal attacks that might occur, we realize that the development of useful tactics is virtually endless.
Finally, some of the best advice I have ever heard is “Don’t go to stupid places, with stupid people and do stupid things.” This may apply to a night on the town with some friends or various kinds of public events. It also might apply to the kinds of friends that one chooses to hang out with. Just because we have a lawful right to be out in public, armed or not, we might ask ourselves if it is really a good idea and worth the problems that might arise.
Personal defense is not just about carrying a firearm. It is a lifestyle. To be the best we can be, we need to continually observe, continually study, and continually improve our skills ... all of our skills.
