I am not sure where we found this article but I only made a few changes in it and have had it posted for a number of years.
Criminals, particularly gang members, are normally not frightened of being confronted by a citizen with a firearm. I read an FBI report where exhaustive interviews were held with incarcerated gang members. Incidentally, convicts often have nothing better to do to keep busy in prison but to practice taking guns away from you by distracting you and executing well-rehearsed moves.
Many of the old-school “truths” that we learn in the course of our firearms training are wrong. To condense the report into some of the salient points:
1. Criminals are scared of being confronted with a firearm.
False. Most gangbangers have seen plenty of firearms, have been shot at a few times, and may carry one or more gunshot scars. They are not afraid of a gunfight.
2. If you point a gun at them, they’ll run away.
False. They will most likely shoot you where you stand. If you plan to draw a firearm, you’d better be prepared to fire it immediately.
3. Crooks never practice and are really bad shots. Since I just spent $$$ on a training course, I’m superman, in comparison.
False. Gang members may not use the latest techniques, they do indeed practice, and some are quite good. They use their firearms in confrontations regularly- you don’t!
4. All it would normally take is a couple shots to end a confrontation.
False. More and more confrontations are against multiple assailants, who may not bug out when the shooting starts. That handy little Kel-Tec in your pocket is about worthless in this situation.
This info reiterates, at least to me, some key factors in carrying for self-defense.
1. Carry enough gun - sufficient caliber, sufficient ammo capacity. What’s sufficient for you is a weapon that you can shoot in a caliber that you can handle well that is light enough that you will take it with you when you leave home.
2. If you carry, be prepared to shoot. Some folks carry around a pistol like a talisman to ward off evil. They figure if they ever need to draw, they will not need to shoot. That thinking may get you killed. You might NOT have to shoot, which is fine, but don’t assume that to be the default.
Go to Gang Members Practice More Than Police.
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