Self Defense Gun Stories Podcast | weekly reports and commentary on civilian self defense

No disrespect intended here, just another point of view. There's no martial art out there that's figured out how to make a human faster than a bullet, let alone bullet proof...faster than the person firing it? Perhaps-but we're talking years, maybe decades of dedicated training to reliably get to that level. Worse still? Not every attacker carries a firearm; knives are deadly (and fast) in the right (or wrong) hands...sometimes faster than the average person can present their handgun-but very few people are "knife fighters", so the handgun is the best defense against either. Lots of people, even trained people, have NDs...usually because they become complacent, distracted, or build in "bad" habits over time. If 10,000 people shoot themselves in the hip because they didn't effectively cover their trigger, blow off their toes because they couldn't keep their finger out of the guard while drawing, or have the weapon taken from them because they neglected to consider that the "bad guy" may just take it from them...that's tragic, but doesn't dictate any realities for those of us who consider all of the above in our choice to carry.

LCDR Joshua Gillespie
Bravo!!! Well stated.

LCDR Joshua Gillespie - No disrespect taken. There are risks on any path; however, engaging study of a martial art, or any skilled discipline really, has benefits beyond the ability to defend oneself from an attack that may never happen. While I find the fetish mentality over firearms a bit foolish, I do not begrudge anyone wanting to own a gun - though I would hope they maintain the requisite discipline and competence. There are far too many that carry guns only as a form of store bought courage.

MSgt Steve Sweeney - You make some good points; thank you for your response. I don't want to offer my experiences as any sort of justification for my opinions, but suffice it to say that I've been a student of several forms of martial art my entire life...and continue to study and practice them as a major part of my life; to include training with firearms. I've also had real-world experiences that inform me that though it is indeed unlikely one will need these skills...if you're unfortunate enough to be placed in that situation, the "statistics" are irrelevant. I will agree with you that there are people who purchase a weapon to "feel" something they lack the discipline and skill to comprehend. However, I will add that personally, I find them to be the exception, rather than the rule. Many of those I've met who carry, and "appear" to do so irresponsibly; are more the exponent of the stigma, lack of accessibility, and liability associated with the very training/experience they would need to become competent. While I've no solid statistics to make my point; in places where CCW permits are regularly issued, where many private and public places permit concealed carry, where there are plentiful venues for training, and the public perception of firearms is more positive...it seems this incompetence is less prevalent. As to a "fetish mentality"; I'll confess I'm not sure what's meant by that. Firearms are tools; shooters are practicing a craft-same as those who study Kedno, fencing, etc.; save that it's arguably less practical to carry a katana for self-defense than a concealed handgun. I've known few true martial artists who do not take pride in their art, and have opinions (sometimes strong) about it. Why those who chose to study "gun-Fu" with the same devotion are often ridiculed (though I'm in no way throwing that accusation your way-you seem to agree with and support this point) seems less a factor of any actual difference in the associated mindset...than it does the public perception ( a somewhat "romanticized" one, in my opinion) that it's "noble" to train to kill a human being with your hands or a sword...but not a firearm.