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assailant has one up'd you and brought a Mac10; or some similar type of submachine gun such as a full rifle-calibre machine gun; or worse, a 12 gauge pump action (or again, automatic) shotgun (and preferably not a sawed off one to boot).

My point in all this is merely to point out the value of learning "weaponless techniques" before falling into the mindset of being safe because you have weapon and prior to needing the weapon. Because anyone that has a weapon, had better not only know how to use it, but had better also know how NOT to use it. That is to say, how to use it when its NOT handy, how to not use it if you don't need it, and how to use your mind if you don't have it.

The positive issues here are, of course, that you can use it if need be, to save the day, protact yourself and loved ones and hopefully all will be well in the world.

So what are the negative issues to always having a weapon handy? Hmmm...how about it breeding paranoia? Ever have a dream where you are attacked, protect yourself and have to fire a gun and the bullets slowing shoot out about a foot and drop to the ground? I've talked with several law enforcement officers who said they had that exact same dream.

Being perceived as a paranoic is another by product of the "have to have a weapon" mentality. But the most relevant issue is that you will simply get to depend upon it too much.

What are the positive issues to what I've suggested? Well, how about, you're ALWAYS prepared? At least, you're never not prepared because you are lacking your weapon. Even in a shower, when naked, you can be ready, with no weapon at hand. No traditional one anyway.

You basically always have a weapon near you. What? How about a bar of soap? Sounds stupid, but you'd be surprised what can be used effectively as a weapon. How about a plastic back scrubber in the shower? Not the least of which would be that which you were born with: your hands, your body, your teeth, and most importantly your brain. Not to mention, every item in near reach of you can be an available and viable weapon; even some out of reach items can be helpful, depending upon how you handle things. IF you train for it and do not depend only upon a firearm or knife or some such traditional weaponry, you will be far ahead of the game.

Then should you find that you were actually at a point to really HAVE a weapon some time and while you were being attacked (of course, having by then also learned how and when to use said weapon), THEN you would be doing quite good, because you could use that weapon to your advantage and protection. AND you would (could, should) know how to use techniques against it should it get taken from and turned against you; as well as be able to use your hands, body, mind and environment to your advantage, should the need and situation arise and dictate it.

Just something to consider, don't you think?

Learn more about this author, JZ Murdock.
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