Have a Plan

Having to develop a self-defense plan will force you to think about your protection in a variety of situations. What would you do if attacked in your car? What about home invasion? Each person’s situation is different and so every solution will be unique. Your plan should include all members of your family. Where does everyone go in an emergency? What if it’s a fire not a home invasion?

Awareness

No plan is worth anything if you are caught unaware. Awareness of your surroundings is key to your survival. If you aren’t paying attention you can wander into a situation/neighborhood that will get you in trouble. The easiest way past your carefully planned defense is to follow you home and stick a gun in your back if you are not paying attention.

Concealed Carry

Having a concealed carry permit allows you to have a gun with you in nearly all situations. This does not mean you have to use it but you have that option. A concealed permit also extends to your car and gives you a possible edge in a carjacking. Ladies may find it more convenient to carry a gun in their purse. There are several companies offering purses with secret compartments for guns.

Home Protection

Home protection begins at the perimeter. Check the outside of your house for shrubs and other obstructions that could hide an intruder especially near windows and doors. Alarm systems are available at low prices today. Consider having one of these installed. Dogs (even small ones) that bark at strange noises can also function as alarms and part of the defense.

Safe Room

One part of a home defense plan is to establish a “safe room” where everyone gathers in the event of an emergency. This is typically a bedroom and should be equipped with a lockable (preferably a dead bolt) door. Once all members of the family are accounted for you can decide what to do.

Phone or Cell

Your safe room should also have a phone to call for help (police, fire or rescue depending on the situation). It is best not to rely solely on a hard-wired phone in case the lines are cut or down. Have a cell phone in your safe room and make sure it is charged up.

Got Light?

A good, bright and reliable flashlight should be part of your personal defense/home security plan. What if the power is out, how will you find everyone? What if the streetlight goes out in your parking lot? If there is a possible intruder in your house, do you really want to turn on the lights and silhouette or blind yourself? A small high intensity light can give you the advantage by temporarily blinding an invader allowing you to escape or take action.

Distance

How far is it across your “safe room”? If it is your bedroom and you own an average home it is probably less than 21 feet (the “magic” combat maximum distance) and more like 10-15 feet from where you would stand or sit to the door. Most personal defense (as opposed to law enforcement) situations happen at 3-6 feet. Remember to be justified in using deadly force the threat must be immediate and unavoidable! If someone is threatening you with a baseball bat but they are 100 feet away it is an immediate threat but is probably avoidable (run away and save yourself the legal hassles and expense).

Personal Defense Tools

Speaking of legal hassles and expense a gun should not be your only means of responding to a threat. Pepper gas, knives, tasers, stun guns and batons are all part of the level of response you can use. If you are attacked on the street and can spray your attacker with pepper gas and walk away, it is better than having to shoot them. There is no memory of having killed or injured someone and no police investigation/trial to endure. In fact if just the presence of a gun and a look of determination cause your attacker to turn tail and run so much the better. You have accomplished your goal of not being hurt.

What Gun?

If you have answered the first question of owning a gun for self-defense and have decided to get one which kind do you pick? A rifle will probably have too much penetration unless you live in the country where you may need its longer effective range. A shotgun is the best home defense weapon due to its intimidation factor and because it throws a pattern giving you a better chance of a hit in the heat of the moment. Long guns (rifles and shotguns) offer excellent stopping power but are not very portable or concealable which generally limits their use to the home. Handguns (both revolvers and semi-auto pistols) are superior for concealed carry. Revolvers are simpler to operate than semi-autos and are probably best for the beginner or people lacking the time or dedication to practice. Semi-autos require more practice to master and maintain proficiency on. Remember in a deadly encounter the operation of your gun must be second nature because your mind will be on other things (like your attacker).

Try Before You Buy

Would you rush out to buy a car if you had never driven one? Many people make this mistake when they suddenly decide they need a gun for self-protection. Just like a sports car and a dump truck are built for different purposes so guns are built for different uses. An important question to answer before trying to select a gun is, “How and where will I use it?” If the gun is for concealed carry then size and weight are important factors. If it will only be kept at home then size and weight are not a limitation. You may find it helpful to rent various guns and see how you like different types. Most indoor ranges have guns for rent but call before you go and ask. Get some advice from someone you trust and then look at what is available. Having thought the process of self-defense through should help you make an informed decision.

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