If you are actually serious about defending your life from an armed attacker, getting training and practicing with the use of weapons is better than just getting training in the empty hand martial arts.
Getting training in both weapon based combat and empty hand martial arts is even better.
Being aware is the best. I’ve written a lot about self-defense; and just like Uncle I firmly believe that best and most effective weapon in your arsenal is awareness.
To me, if my gun ever has to leave the holster, it generally means that somewhere I failed to be fully aware of my surroundings, and have now been left with only the option of violence. Being in a situation where violence is my option generally indicates a failure of awareness on my part as well. Certainly, there are exceptions to this, but to the average person those exceptions rarely, if ever, occur.
Remember – your best weapon in any self-defense situation is to be aware of your surroundings. The best fight is the fight that never happens because you avoid it completely.
Amen, Brother. I too am learning the best defense is to avoid confrontations and like you say, only if it comes down to it do you resort to violence to save your butt. A lot of times if we would not do what our first thought was, we usually realize that looking at the situation and maybe do the opposite might be the best policy. And here in CA, if you don’t have a CCP, you are breaking the law by having one on your person, so it also helps to know how to use non-lethal self defense products. One blast of pepper spray in a punks face usually diffuses that situation quickly, combined with good lethal and empty hand training. Thanks a we will add you to our blog roll. If anyone wants more info on how to use a stun gun, taser, or pepper spray, we have some articles and low budget videos on our website.
Defend Thyself!
Christopher Winkler
Provider of Self Defense Products
http://DefendThyself.com/Articles