Prepare to defend yourself

[orangecrush]

Just suggestions -

Find a good martial arts school near you (make sure the head instructor isn't a MAGAT - I have run into those too), tell them you are interested in learning some self defense, and sign up for classes. You may find this to be a rewarding and enlightening experience beyond the fighting aspects.

If you are an older person and can't do a lot physically, look into non lethal means of protection, such as pepper spray, stun guns, etc.. Don't just buy it and forget about it. Make sure you have it with you in situations that might call for it. Such as answering the door in some cases, out in public, whatever. FIND OUT IF THERE ARE IINSTRUCTION CLASSES OR VIDEOS, AND LEARN THE LEGALITIES OF USING THESE THINGS. THIS MAY VARY WITH LOCALITY.

Lastly, if you make the decision to own a firearm, please don't just go buy one and hope for the best. SIGN UP FOR SAFETY TRAINING CLASSES, GO TO A RANGE AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH SAFE HANDLING AND ALSO THE LEGALITIES OF SELF DEFENSE, WHICH WILL VARY WITH LOCALITY. IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS, PLEASE DON'T GO ANYWHERE NEAR A GUN.

Enough bullshit is enough.

By all legal means, PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

We are Democrats, NOT TARGETS.

[Elessar Zappa]

1. Good advice.

I won’t be intimidated by these cowards. I’m 38, 6’1 and 230 pounds. If I have to defend myself, I will.

[orangecrush]

4. Be careful, be aware

Walking away is the best defense.

Stay safe, my friend!

[Elessar Zappa]

24. Of course.

A physical response should be the last option.

[orangecrush]

25. Always

[Bettie]

2. We've got a big dog, a couple of baseball bats

and a shotgun that we hope never to use.

The shotgun (actually, 2, now that I think about it) are from my son's trap shooting in high school. He was really good at it, but quit because the people were so right wing.

[orangecrush]

3. Firearms safety classes

Are not at all expensive, they aren't very time consuming, and if it were myself, I would take one and avoid any political discussion whatsoever.

If you already have that foundation, then no need.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

5. I have been thinking about

Getting a ring doorbell monitor.

And a nanigata to keep by the door heh.

[orangecrush]

9. Defense against a hammer

Even for a highly skilled fighter, is dangerous, let alone an elderly person.

[underpants]

15. Good info. Don't forget the throat.

We are almost trained to think of not fighting dirty. Fight dirty. The leg action there could really cripple an attacker but then I’m off balance. A pop in the throat will stop everything in their world and give me a brief advantage.

[orangecrush]

18. Good point

In my system, "dirty fighting" wasn't dirty - it was survival.

SURVIVAL IS NOT A SPORT WHERE THERE ARE RULES OF GOOD CONDUCT OR "FOULS".


Eyes, ears, throat, spine, testicle, kidneys, temple, knees.

[Elessar Zappa]

22. Fighting dirty is the only way to fight.

There’s no point in fighting any other way. Disarm and disable the attacker by any means possible.

[sarisataka]

28. I recall a combat maxim

That said if you are in a fair fight,you aren't trying hard enough.

[orangecrush]

30. I heard it as

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying!

[yagotme]

37. This is what I heard, also! n/t

[orangecrush]

38. ...

[orangecrush]

29. We were told from the get go

If you are interested in trophies and sports competition, please seek your training elsewhere.

I was in for over 10 years.

They weren't kidding at all.

Too old for hard stuff now, but I do love Tai Chi, which is also a martial art!

[ProfessorGAC]

35. The Eyes!

Part of "dirty fighting" avoidance makes people forget about the eyes.
Self-defense courses have been teaching this for years. It's getting out of the mindset that you "can't do that" that's the trick.

[orangecrush]

39. Decent human beings

Have a natural aversion to hurting people.

It is unfortunate that our world sometimes requires the ability to override this.

[ProfessorGAC]

46. Totally Agree

It's resisting that instinct that enhances self-preservation, which is another powerful instinct.
Don't get me wrong. Overcoming that aversion is hard. I don't doubt that for a second.

[panader0]

50. I once saw a little guy and a big guy argue at an adult softball game. The big guy said "I'll get

you after the game. Sure enough, he went to the outfield to get my bricklayer buddy Tim.
Tim thumbed him in the eye right off, and the guy was down and done.

[Walleye]

6. Got my two field hockey sticks from high school behind my door

[orangecrush]

10. Whatever legally works

For you!

[Walleye]

71. Thank goodness I've never had to use them except to threaten a raccoon

I live in a pretty low crime neighborhood knock on wood but I wouldn’t mind eating the shit out of some MAGA s If they came to the door. I might get in a few licks if I take them by surprise

[orangecrush]

86. Hope it never happens.

Stay safe.

[Sympthsical]

7. I don't feel threatened

Unless someone's going to invent the technology to come flying out of my computer. Even then, I'm 50/50 on who that could be.

I don't think your average person is going to have one of these Showdowns at the Golden Corral.

But general awareness of one's surroundings is always good advice, no matter where you are.

[orangecrush]

13. Well put

I'm sure getting attacked with a hammer isn't on anyone's list of things to do.

Awareness and training decreases the odds of it ever happening exponentially, in my opinion.

[MontanaMama]

8. Regarding your advice on learning legalities of self defense...

SO important!!!

I bought a .38 revolver years ago. I had a stalker situation that was out of control and local law enforcement told me there was nothing they could do until he injured/assaulted me or worse. Long story short, I bought the weapon and took self defense lessons from a firearms expert. I ended up training with that guy for 4 years. I made it through combat training...it took me two tries but I did it. My teacher told me over and over and over that my weapon, should I ever need to rely on it, should be a means to extricate myself from a life threatening situation...without ever firing it. He also said that if I did need to fire the weapon, I should plan on being sued. If I killed the stalker, someone in his family would probably sue. If I didn't kill him, he himself would probably sue me. This was more than 20 years ago and stalking laws have gotten stronger but back then, killing or injuring an intruder in my own home might not end the way one thinks it will. It was good advice...as is yours.

I will not be a target.

[orangecrush]

12. THIS

You spelled it out perfectly!

[RKP5637]

11. Good advice! n/t

[orangecrush]

14. Thank you

[LuckyCharms]

16. K&R. I would like to add...

Be smart.

Be quick.

Be aware.

Don't make yourself a target.

Physical escalation is the last option, on the second page. It is only necessary when your life is truly in danger.

Don't be afraid to run and hide.

Choose to de-escalate if you can.

I have a temper, and I look intimidating. But the goal is to always live to see another day.

Use your brain, rather than your body or a weapon, whenever possible.

Never rule out violence, but don't invite it, and don't cherish it.

I can defend myself physically, but I'd rather not. Ever.

[orangecrush]

19. AMEN!!!!!

There is no shame in running away.

In fact, I highly recommend it.

But if cornered, don't stand there and let someone hurt you.

Fight back with everything you have.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

36. A huge +100.

[orangecrush]

40. Thanks, MCE

Here's a good one...

If you can snake your arm just behind a bat or stick wielding attackers elbow, get the lock and jerk hard and sudden upwards on the joint - SNAP!

Attack ended.

I would advise against jiggling the broken elbow as an object lesson, entirely unecessary.

We are better than them! .

[MarineCombatEngineer]

41. Great and informative video,

thanks.

Being a truck driver, I always have situational awareness of my surroundings, also, when not in my truck, I'm always wearing my US Marines Retired ballcap, so any MAGAt's around probably think that I'm one of them, they would be shocked to know what my politics actually are.

My best defense is my brain and a commitment to avoidance and de-escalation of a bad situation.

Peace.

[orangecrush]

66. 10-4

Affirmative!


One for the road...

[MissB]

17. I have more than one dog

And one has already proven his guard dog capacity quite well, thank you.

We also have legal weapons.

Our property is pretty unfriendly (fenced/locked gates) and our entire perimeter around the house is well lit up.

We also keep smart bulbs in a few interior lamps so we can trigger those before even getting up.

[orangecrush]

20. Good plan

Thanks!

[dalton99a]

21. +1. Know how to use a gun.

[orangecrush]

34. Formal training

Last edited Sat Oct 29, 2022, 12:42 AM - Edit history (1)

Is the best, imo.

[Emile]

23. I'm the scariest thing a Republican ever seen. I'm a liberal gun owner!

[orangecrush]

31. It's something they can't conceive of

How many famous democrats served in WW2 and other wars in combat roles?

George McGovern was a bomber pilot.

[sarisataka]

26. It never ceases to amaze me

How fast DU winds can shift. Not a single of the typical comments I would expect to see.

It is good advice even in "safe" times. I have long ago checked off all three suggestions.

I would also add the importance of situational awareness. Keep you nose out of your phone and your attention on your surroundings. Try to identify and avoid trouble before it is imposed on you.

[orangecrush]

32. THIS X 1000

Thank you!

[Kaleva]

43. +1

[BlackSkimmer]

49. Thank you.

I wondered if there was some reason for this latest warning.

[Initech]

27. I live in a very right wing neighborhood.

And across the street from a religious fascist MAGA super fan. No way in hell will I ever let them know my political affiliation. Especially after today.

[orangecrush]

33. I live in a very red rural area

It's a strange thing.

Some of them know me, and they are puzzled that I don't fit the cookie cutter image of "librul" they've been sold by right wing media.

When possible, I enjoy educating them and myself through discourse.

I listen to and try to understand their problems.

If it turns into name calling, I walk away.

I am vigilant, especially on the road in remote areas.

[BlackSkimmer]

51. I live in a red area too. In town, and I own property out of town in a rural area.

Somehow I’ve managed to never discuss politics with my neighbors. It never comes up

The only neighbor I’ve spoken about politics was years ago. A black guy who lives up the street, probably 50 or 60ish, and he made it clear that “Mr. Trump” was his guy. “Smart businessman” you know.

I talk with many other neighbors, but we talk about our dogs, the weather, local news, our gardens…really anything but politics. I’m glad.

I can’t imagine “name-calling” my neighbors.

[Kaleva]

42. One needs to do other things first. Physical confrontation is the last resort

I suggest reinforcing access points to the home, having a designated safe room, develop a plan and practice that plan. Train yourself to be aware of what's happening, situational awareness, when at home and when out and about.

I have spent several hundred on reinforcing the exterior doors plus the door to the basement and the master bedroom door . I've also installed exterior lighting and Ring door bells with video.

I have planned my response to a break in and I train. The master bedroom is the safe room and the door is reinforced which includes having a deadbolt. An example of situational awareness is that I know the exits at the establishments I go to and when I return home, I try to approach from the north as that allows me to see the north and west sides of the home, then the south side and finally the east side. I look for anything amiss.

My gun is my last resort. A number of other lines of defense would have to be breached before I resort to pulling the trigger.

Edit: I haven't done any training for the past several months as I fell down the basement stairs s few months ago and had my shoulder replaced. I did tell my wife this morning that I feel up to starting the training again this coming weekend.

[orangecrush]

55. I hope your shoulder beals well

And it's good to have a plan yours.

Not being paranoid, not overdoing it but not getting caught off guard an panicking if something does happen.

[Kaleva]

68. I think you made very good points in your OP

[orangecrush]

84. Thanks, and for those recoiling in horror...

Nancy Pelosi's husband got his skull busted by a hammer welding MAGAT.

It could have been any one of us or our family.

The time to draw the line has come.

[roamer65]

44. Two handguns and a 30-30 Winchester.

[Kaleva]

45. What about access points and situational awareness?

[orangecrush]

58. Good points

[orangecrush]

56. The .30 .30

Is an excellent home defense gun.

Especially a carbine version.

[Kaleva]

70. A lever action would be a very good choice.

It doesn't attract the attention that an AR-15 would and not likely to be banned

If I were to get one, I'd get a lever action chambered to fire the .38/.357 round.

[orangecrush]

85. I had a Marlin in the 70's

Chambered for .44 magnum.

I believe it held 9 rounds of .44 mag coming out of a very long barrel.

Wicked kick.

[2naSalit]

47. When I was up in...

The mountains, I kept bear spray by the door in case of bears. Now I keep bear spray by the door in case of magats.

[orangecrush]

59. Great idea. nt

[madville]

48. Good advice

I have pepper spray on me 100% of the time outside the house, more concerned with encountering vicious dogs than people at work though.

Also have my concealed carry license and am armed with a handgun a good bit of the time as well. I had regular firearms training and annual qualification for 20 years in my previous career, training and regular practice is essential.

[orangecrush]

57. Great post

And spot on.

[moonscape]

52. Just this week I went for an early

7:30 AM 6 mile walk/hike from my home. I’m in a deep blue coastal community and have never felt afraid. Am female, a 72 yo Senior.

So after leaving my neighborhood, was walking along a very narrow 2-lane road for a few miles with no houses, so to have some nature. There weren’t many cars, but a few and some trucks. Suddenly I felt uneasy and couldn’t figure why. Then I realized it was a general unease, not due to my environs that I know so well, nor to any even slight negative prior experience, rather to the escalating national climate that is intruding on what used to be a very peaceful walk.

Will be looking into pepper spray or stun gun. Thanks.

[orangecrush]

89. ...

[Notek]

53. I do my best to avoid danger.

I live in a 70/30 republican based suburb. I never, ever, put political yard signs on my property. If Dems do well in the upcoming election, I don't want to be on someone's hate list. If Dems win in 2024, I fear the shit will really hit the fan everywhere.

[Kaleva]

72. I don't put out signs either

And I pretty much keep my opinions to myself.

[vercetti2021]

54. I have a few guns

I've taken training and earned my license like a safe gun owner would do. I live in a red area and I'm trans. So I'd be a highly picked target for these freaks. But then again I am everything they would also fear. Trans woman that owns a gun.

[orangecrush]

61. I have heard

Of the "Pink Pistols" (gay gun owners group).

They get respect even from many conservative gun owners.

[vercetti2021]

73. Yep

My girlfriend and I would be members. Well soon to be wife

[BannonsLiver]

60. There should be some kind of Oscar type award for melodramatic OPs.

[orangecrush]

62. There is an Oscar for being unprepared

It's called the Darwin award.

[milestogo]

63. The Pelosi incident has made me decide to vote tomorrow.

I live in a very liberal area, and my worst fear is some MAGAT gunslinger coming here to shoot voters.

[orangecrush]

65. Thanks for caring enough

To make sure your vote counts.

[JanMichael]

64. Look up Defendu and Gutter fighting

I would love if some liberal Lefty clubs started up everywhere.

Basically this crazy bastard Fairbaine created the system in the 20's and it morphed into so many others like kravmaga and US UK Special Forces training in WWII.

Gutter fighting explains it. Everything is intended to end the conflict. It is not a Olympic sport. There are no belts.

[Kaleva]

69. Defendu! It's rare I ever see that mentioned

I think it's a good system . No frills. A system a person could learn on their own.

[JanMichael]

74. If groups of two or three would actually practice it.

You could create defense clubs. It is simple and effective. There's even a special combat knife that came out of it. The knife isn't for stabbing it's really just for beating people up and breaking ribs. And if that doesn't work then stabbing is an option.

Seriously though the UK government actually did a pamphlet called fight back when they thought the Nazis would actually invade the entire country. They expected every man woman and child to be able to gouge somebody's eyes out if they needed to.

Plus if you have box of matches you can take that and turn it into a small eye and throat gouging device.

[Kaleva]

75. I just ordered the book from Amazon. $12.99 plus tax and free shipping

I had a copy of that book years ago but lost it at some point

[JanMichael]

76. I've seen the PDF but I've never seen a hard copy before.

Which version was it? The lightened up fight back or the hardcore defendu?

When you see photos of the guy that wrote it he looks like he has been through a meat grinder but would still like to say hi and maybe get in a fight with five or six people. I think he has an eye patch in some of the photos. Apparently he was a very young cop in Singapore way back when everybody was literally Kung Fu Fighting. Got the s*** beat out of him one day and was like wait a second maybe this shouldn't happen again.

[Kaleva]

79. It's paperback and the title is Defendu

Amazon also had several of Fairbairns other books available

Some of the more negative comments about the book is that it teaches old school, common sense techniques but that's the beauty of the system. It uses the KISS principle and it's possible to learn and practice the techniques without an experienced instructor.

[orangecrush]

82. I read this guys book

About 25 years ago.

Taught OSS how to take out Nazis.

[Kaleva]

67. Regarding your comment about having a gun

I agree with what you said but there's a lot more to it then just going to the range and practice shooting at targets and handling. If the only reason one had a gun was to shoot targets with it, that'd be fine but if one plans to use it for self defense, there's a whole lot more that needs to be done.


One will need to know beforehand under what circumstances they would draw a gun and shoot to kill. Then you have to practice that and practice that often. I had practiced my drills but when I had my shoulder replaced earlier this year, I couldn't do it so I put my gun away in a secure location until I could start the practice once again which I hope will be this weekend.

I do not carry out in public as that's a whole nother level of proficiency that I would have to attain in order to compentatly handle a gun. A skill level I don't have the time or inclination to achieve and maintain.

OP mentioned taking a safety training class but people should be aware that is just the first class one should take.

[orangecrush]

81. Thank you

Many important considerations to be made.

[RockRaven]

77. Whatever time/energy you have to spend on self defense planning, devote lots of it to

reducing the chances you will actually need to defend yourself in a confrontation. Avoiding a fight is better than "winning" a fight.

Because even if your self defense is entirely justified (morally and legally) it can still ruin your life -- dealing with criminal charges or civil suits even if you win in the end, job loss or reputation damage, etc.

[orangecrush]

80. Absolutely true

And this can't be emphasized enough.

[Hotler]

78. +1. I've wanting to say this for 6-months. There is nothing wrong with arming yourself.

For those thinking of gun ownership there is this. The Liberal Gun Club.
The mission of The Liberal Gun Club is to provide a pro-Second Amendment voice for left-of-center gun owners in the national conversations on firearms.

In order to achieve our mission, we encourage new participants in the shooting sports and provide firearms safety and shooting instruction programs; as well as providing a forum for civil discourse on these issues.
https://theliberalgunclub.com/

[orangecrush]

83. Thank you. n/t

[Wednesdays]

87. Join Cobra Kai.

Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy.

[orangecrush]

88. IIRC

The "bad guy" from the original "Karate Kid" ends up being the good guy, and Daniel San comes down off his high horse.

Life is like that.

[Meowmee]

90. In my condition etc

Running or hiding may be the best option, in the past when I was in much better shape it saved me from a serial killer. I do carry mace with me when I go for walks and my neighbor who passed away recently gave me one of those little thin batts from her husband who passed away years ago which she wasn’t using. I have it hanging by the front door.

I think another thing I would do if it was a situation where I was being targeted as possibly being of the opposite views is to try to pretend that I agreed with them.

I remember taking some type of self-defense course a long, long time ago. And I remember one thing they said was to put your key between I think your front and middle finger and ram it into the attacker’s eye(s). As well as go for various areas.

[orangecrush]

91. Glad to hear

You made it through a very dangerous situation o.k..

It sounds to me like you know how to deal with things.

I can relate, I am no longer my 210 lb. 6' self in my 30's, so I have had to make adaptations.

Being aware of that is a good sign for anyone, in my opinion.

[Meowmee]

92. I am a petite woman with a lot of health conditions

But I still manage to run and hide if I am walking at night and a suspicious car comes by. Somehow if there is danger your body and your mind goes on auto pilot and you just react. I have also been robbed twice, once in the parking lot and once when I was selling jewelry when a customer grabbed a ring and ran as soon as I was showing it. So I guess I try to be aware of my surroundings although lately I think I’ve slacked off a little bit. If it weren't for covid and I didn’t have the physical issues going on now I would take another self-defense course too.

I am also aware of where the crazy dumpers in our closer neighborhood are, the ones with all of the flags and stuff etc. because I walk in a 2 mile area around the neighborhood.

[orangecrush]

93. Thanks, Meowmee!

It sounds like you have a good handle on things!

I hope your health situation improves, in the meanwhile, please stay safe out there, I really enjoy your posts!

[Meowmee]

95. Thanks 😀

I enjoy yours too

[orangecrush]

96. Most welcome, and thank you!

?w=300

[ForgedCrank]

94. There's a much

better, easier and far more effective way to defend ourselves.
Just stay away from assholes, and walk away when confronted by one.

[orangecrush]

99. Best and first option

For sure.

[bucolic_frolic]

97. How To Protect Yourself Against Weapons by Master Tsai (Self Defense)

I think this was only released on VHS, at one time I owned a copy. Useful tips.

[orangecrush]

98. When I was studying the Arts

EVERYTHING was on VHS!

Thanks for the cool video!