When violent attacks occur, the vast majority of comments are: “That’s why I carry.”
But are you really safer just because you carry a weapon?
Hear me out…
I’m cool with you carrying a mechanical weapon if you’re also a human weapon!
Reread that!
The mind navigates the body. Having a weapon on you doesn’t automatically make you safer.
Consider these points:
- Is this an active shooter event or are you the target? Your reaction to the threat will be different.
- If your weapon is holstered and your hands are free, when you flinch your hands reflexively move to protect your head. So unless your weapon is in your hand at the time of an attack, you will still need to weather the ambush (both psychological and physical) and get back in the fight.
- Depending on the specifics of the attack – like level of aggression, proximity to you, what you are mentally and physically doing, etc. – you will still need to recalibrate, assess, access/retrieve your weapon, and then decide.
- If the attack is directed at you and takes place at extremely close quarters, your body’s survival system can override your access to learned complex motor skills.
In these drills, YOU are the primary weapon system and your firearm (or knife) is your backup.
We teach students to weather the emotional ambush (fear) first and then the physical one (the assault).
Coach B