Three requirements of self defense

[David]

This subject came up on GT and I thought it was worth putting here.

Ability: Does the person have the actual physical means to seriously injure or kill me? These means include possession of weapons, the size and strength of the would-be attacker, any known or apparent martial skills possessed by the attacker, as well as the number of assailants on the scene.

Opportunity: Is the person close enough to the victim or in a position to utilize his or her attacking abilities and advantages? What is the distance involved and are there barriers or other impediments that would make it difficult for someone to harm or kill me? Could I have left the scene immediately and eliminated my aggressor's opportunity to end my life of cause severe harm?

Intent: Is the person manifesting a reasonably obvious desire to harm or kill me, or given me reason to believe that to be true?

[bdcochran]

David makes some very good points.

It boils down to situational awareness.

Questions> 1. How do I turn it on?

David has a new home. There is water and alligators. Before walking out of the front door or going in the backyard, consciously look for the alligator each time. Or, a member is moving to the mountains. Before walking out the front door or back door, sniff the air for fire danger.

I live on a deadend street with 14 homes. I pause and scan the cars the first time I am going out the door. What cars belong there? Who is visiting. At one time, I had doper living two doors down. After the guy's livein pushed the newborn's head down the toilet in an effort to kill the kid, I had the beat cop tell the estranged wife that when they found dope in the house, the house could be seized and her half forefeited. She forced the house sale.

2. How do I use the situational awareness to my advantage?
I drive the alleyways and the streets in my neighborhood. I listen, without talking about myself. As a consequence, I know the guy two doors down is an md at the University, who owns motor bikes and bicycles, who has a pool, who on the next block worked at a gun store -he is now moved.

3. How do I enhance my situational awareness skills?
I take a 22 minute walk every day. Same course. Part of the course is on a street where there is a downwards hill and no street access from the homes below. People stop there to eat, smoke, hangout from the police, and to loaf on the job.

Part of my public service is to take the paper trash, the cigarette butts, and the liquor bottles from the bushes and put them in the street for the infrequent street cleaning.

However, I mention that I was trained in military man tracking by the best in the world. I read all the sign, the winds. I figured out that a guy has come into my area in the last two months and he sprinkled the tiny liquor bottles not only in that isolated street section, but also two blocks away. I know the appearance of the FEDX driver, his age, and that he smokes menthol cigarettes, but not down to the line on the cigarette.

One of my mentors was 101st airborne. He lived in an area next to an Indian reservation. The young thugs (don't have to have been Indian, just co-incidentally) enjoyed harassing the grocery store customers. So, he would practice engagements against them - practicing situational awareness.

When you go to the doctor, the multi-tiered parking structure or the mall, do the following. Write the space number of where you have parked. As you leave parking area, look back from time to time. Now you know where your car is. The American Indian didn't have a special power. When he went into a new area, he would look back and know how to get back.

[Mac66]

This subject came up on GT and I thought it was worth putting here.

Ability: Does the person have the actual physical means to seriously injure or kill me? These means include possession of weapons, the size and strength of the would-be attacker, any known or apparent martial skills possessed by the attacker, as well as the number of assailants on the scene.

Opportunity: Is the person close enough to the victim or in a position to utilize his or her attacking abilities and advantages? What is the distance involved and are there barriers or other impediments that would make it difficult for someone to harm or kill me? Could I have left the scene immediately and eliminated my aggressor's opportunity to end my life of cause severe harm?

Intent: Is the person manifesting a reasonably obvious desire to harm or kill me, or given me reason to believe that to be true?

Well put and timely. I am teaching a CPL class to my nieces and some of their boyfriends in a couple weeks. I will be adding this to the curriculum. It's not covered by the NRA program.

[aerynsun]

This subject came up on GT and I thought it was worth putting here.

Ability: Does the person have the actual physical means to seriously injure or kill me? These means include possession of weapons, the size and strength of the would-be attacker, any known or apparent martial skills possessed by the attacker, as well as the number of assailants on the scene.

Opportunity: Is the person close enough to the victim or in a position to utilize his or her attacking abilities and advantages? What is the distance involved and are there barriers or other impediments that would make it difficult for someone to harm or kill me? Could I have left the scene immediately and eliminated my aggressor's opportunity to end my life of cause severe harm?

Intent: Is the person manifesting a reasonably obvious desire to harm or kill me, or given me reason to believe that to be true?

Is a point missing? Avoid confrontation - can I get out of this situation without the need for 'self defense'? That could include something as simple as turning around and walking in a different direction.
Also, a person should understand their state laws as to 'retreating'.
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=795

[Bob]

I will strongly agree with avoid the fight. In a fight, stuff happens. Real World Example: Was at a kung fu tournament a couple of weeks ago and tore my calf muscle. I folded like a cheap lawn chair. Were this a non-sanctioned, un-refereed street event, Bob would be dead. Freak movement accident, fight over.

Also, one of the things I did not like about Glock Talk, was the large number of people it seemed were LOOKING for an excuse to shoot someone. It lead to much ill discussion and bad advice to shooters.

I live in Florida, so no worries mostly. Especially at my home. But I heard a news person (probably for drama) state that if they were to defend themselves they would likely be immediately persecuted and prosecuted. There are places where that is true too. Know where you live.

The Ability thing is also interesting. Keep in mind this statement. "When you are not able to make war, peace is not a choice." There are a lot of people, I believe, that when it comes down to it wouldn't shoot someone in self defense even if they had to. I have also listened to a lot of people talk crap about the ballistics penetration and stopping power etc. that have obviously never shot a squirrel with a BB Gun, let alone a ground hog, coyote, pig, deer or anything else staring back at them - especially another person.

[David]

Also, one of the things I did not like about Glock Talk, was the large number of people it seemed were LOOKING for an excuse to shoot someone. It lead to much ill discussion and bad advice to shooters.

Agreed and I always shook my head at some of those threads. I had one, years ago that was very similar to one's I've put here that simply asked what you carry on a hike. One of the guys, Long Gun IIRC said he brings a G20 with a bandolier and 8 magazines...on a day hike

[Mac66]

I thought it was interesting that when my older brother got his concealed carry permit recently and started carrying, he said he goes out of his way to avoid ever having to use it. Smart guy.

I've been carrying a gun for 45 years, never had to use one off duty or since retired. So yeah, I go out of my way not have to use it but like I tell my students, when the time comes you have to be Ready, Willing and Able.

[Bob]

Yeah - it is one thing when you DON'T have a gun and go "Man, if I had a gun"

It's a whole other thing when you DO have one...