Stop! Don't shoot!

Most of the folks that read this blog like shooting. They find it fun, engaging, and challenging. They like drills and competition with their peers. So shooting is the object to practice sessions as well as training classes. But what about not shooting?

In the self defense world, getting a gun out quickly and getting accurate hits on target is the goal in defense of our life. But is that the whole story? Discernment is probably the most important part of self defense training. Can you decipher the problem placed in front of you?

No two self defense situations will be the same. Distance, target size, aggression and other factors make each encounter unique. So we have to be able to come up with an appropriate response to our situation. Sometimes it means that we draw and fire. Sometimes it means we draw to a ready and are able to make the attacker stop the attack. Sometimes it means talking, or pepper spray, or simply running away. But self defense is not a one size fits all. We need to able to find the correct solution to our puzzle.

At 55 Defense, we run courses of fire that include no shooting. Why? Because sometimes that is what will be called for. Sometimes even drawing the gun may be inappropriate. Sometimes a cease fire is called and you need to get off the trigger immediately. Let me give you a scenario to go with each of these actions.

1) You draw your gun, and while you are in the process, the attacker turns and runs.

2) You hear screaming and maybe even shooting in a crowded area, but you cannot yet identify a threat.

3) You have shot the threat justifiably, but the target has begun to turn around to flee.

Consider using drill that require you to bot just use the gas, but emphasize using the brakes at an appropriate time.

Be safe, be well.