Self-defense is a broad subject that many of my fellow gun geeks have distilled down to the act of shooting an attacker. Based on my training and experience, there is a whole lot more to defense than pulling a trigger. In fact, defense goes well beyond learning ‘Gun-Fu’. There are stages leading up to the attack that you can see, countermeasures that can be taken, contingencies you can/should train for, and even methods in which you should conduct yourself before/after the critical incident, in the eyes of the law. The greatest flaw in mainstream firearms training is they are only preparing you for pulling the trigger, even in “self-defense” classes. This merely reinforces the myopic ideology that defense revolves around the trigger. I get that instructors will pander to the mainstream to keep their business alive, but I feel that classes can at least be enhanced or modified to include the reality of defense. But in the meantime, let me fill you in on a few things to munch on in your mind.
4 D’S OF DEFENSE
If you have ever looked at how to establish a simple home defense plan, the 4 D’s (Deter, Detect, Delay, Deny) will be familiar to you. I have found that the 4 D’s can be used universally in some way, shape, and/or form. Think of it like a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) plan for defense. Here are some of the ways that the 4 D’s of defense are put into effect:
-DETER/PRIMARY: Visible cameras, security system signs (ADT, Vivent, No Trespassing, etc.), well-lit areas with no concealment, looking around and scanning regularly (This makes you look like a hard target), avoidance of danger areas (unlit/poorly lit streets, chokepoints), having a buddy or group to walk with.
-DETECT/ALTERNATE: Cameras, motion sensors, visual detection, physical profiling (From the book: Left of Bang)
-DELAY/CONTINGENCY: Locking doors, keeping barrier between yourself and threat, overtly creating distance and shouting for help, verbal conflict resolution/de-escalation techniques, high lumen lights directed at eyes
-DENY/EMERGENCY: Hands-on control techniques/locks, improvised weapons, fighting styles (Krav Maga), ECW (Taser, stun gun), OC Spray (pain-compliance), baton techniques (pain-compliance), deadly force (use of any firearm)
I associated each of the 4 D’s of defense with a letter from PACE because the 4 D’s are essentially 4 rings of defense, much like a PACE plan. Personally, a threat against your life or property is an emergency you should plan for since both are illegal activities against you.
If you break it down, the first two D’s are passive security measures while the last two are going to be active measures (Requiring you to act). In self-defense, deterrence should be the ‘primary’ goal of defense. The best-case scenario is overall avoidance of the situation and zero encounters whatsoever. Past that, your ‘alternate’ plan should be to detect possible threats. This part of the plan relies on your observation and having it as part of your life to be alert but not paranoid. If the threat has targeted you, you should enact your first active defense plan and try to delay them as a contingency measure. In some case, predators will give up the chase during the delay phase because the work put into the attack is higher than the perceived reward. Your last chance to stop a threat is to deny them the chance to hurt or kill you/someone else by using force up to and including deadly force.
If you have ever looked at how to establish a simple home defense plan, the 4 D’s (Deter, Detect, Delay, Deny) will be familiar to you. I have found that the 4 D’s can be used universally in some way, shape, and/or form. Think of it like a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) plan for defense. Here are some of the ways that the 4 D’s of defense are put into effect:
-DETER/PRIMARY: Visible cameras, security system signs (ADT, Vivent, No Trespassing, etc.), well-lit areas with no concealment, looking around and scanning regularly (This makes you look like a hard target), avoidance of danger areas (unlit/poorly lit streets, chokepoints), having a buddy or group to walk with.
-DETECT/ALTERNATE: Cameras, motion sensors, visual detection, physical profiling (From the book: Left of Bang)
-DELAY/CONTINGENCY: Locking doors, keeping barrier between yourself and threat, overtly creating distance and shouting for help, verbal conflict resolution/de-escalation techniques, high lumen lights directed at eyes
-DENY/EMERGENCY: Hands-on control techniques/locks, improvised weapons, fighting styles (Krav Maga), ECW (Taser, stun gun), OC Spray (pain-compliance), baton techniques (pain-compliance), deadly force (use of any firearm)
I associated each of the 4 D’s of defense with a letter from PACE because the 4 D’s are essentially 4 rings of defense, much like a PACE plan. Personally, a threat against your life or property is an emergency you should plan for since both are illegal activities against you.
If you break it down, the first two D’s are passive security measures while the last two are going to be active measures (Requiring you to act). In self-defense, deterrence should be the ‘primary’ goal of defense. The best-case scenario is overall avoidance of the situation and zero encounters whatsoever. Past that, your ‘alternate’ plan should be to detect possible threats. This part of the plan relies on your observation and having it as part of your life to be alert but not paranoid. If the threat has targeted you, you should enact your first active defense plan and try to delay them as a contingency measure. In some case, predators will give up the chase during the delay phase because the work put into the attack is higher than the perceived reward. Your last chance to stop a threat is to deny them the chance to hurt or kill you/someone else by using force up to and including deadly force.
VARIETY IN TRAINING AND WEAPONS
In most defense situations, a firearm is not going to be useful. It is actually a rare circumstance to NEED to shoot someone. I’m not advocating not having a firearm, but I am advocating learning more than how to shoot a gun. There are many different things you can put in your tool box.
Deterrence/Detection:
- Profiling skills (Left of Bang)
Delay:
- verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques
Denial:
- Fighting styles: Krav Maga, Jui-Jitsu, etc.
- Knife fighting/defense
- baton/blunt force defense techniques
- Taser/ECW training
These tools take time to develop, just like shooting, but are more likely to be useful in a conflict. For instance, a trespassing person refusing to leave does not warrant deadly force from a firearm. Even using the firearm as a threat can get you in trouble in some places. Personally, that is a gamble I would not take, but whatever.
In most defense situations, a firearm is not going to be useful. It is actually a rare circumstance to NEED to shoot someone. I’m not advocating not having a firearm, but I am advocating learning more than how to shoot a gun. There are many different things you can put in your tool box.
Deterrence/Detection:
- Profiling skills (Left of Bang)
Delay:
- verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques
Denial:
- Fighting styles: Krav Maga, Jui-Jitsu, etc.
- Knife fighting/defense
- baton/blunt force defense techniques
- Taser/ECW training
These tools take time to develop, just like shooting, but are more likely to be useful in a conflict. For instance, a trespassing person refusing to leave does not warrant deadly force from a firearm. Even using the firearm as a threat can get you in trouble in some places. Personally, that is a gamble I would not take, but whatever.
KNOW YOUR STATE LAWS
Each state has their own laws about handling trespassers, but according to Arkansas law, I am allowed to use low levels of force such as OC to get someone off my property. Despite what the law says, certain minority groups may be above the law due to recent political leanings of the local DA. Just because you are in a red state, doesn’t mean the law is in your favor. And just because the law says you CAN do something, it doesn’t mean you won’t go to jail for doing it. As Kyle Rittenhouse learned, though you are justified, you will most likely be treated as guilty until proven innocent, no matter how obvious your innocence may be. Many self-defense cases are decided through the court of public opinion before reaching a real legal court, so don’t think it is only the State/Local laws you will have to contend with.
Each state has their own laws about handling trespassers, but according to Arkansas law, I am allowed to use low levels of force such as OC to get someone off my property. Despite what the law says, certain minority groups may be above the law due to recent political leanings of the local DA. Just because you are in a red state, doesn’t mean the law is in your favor. And just because the law says you CAN do something, it doesn’t mean you won’t go to jail for doing it. As Kyle Rittenhouse learned, though you are justified, you will most likely be treated as guilty until proven innocent, no matter how obvious your innocence may be. Many self-defense cases are decided through the court of public opinion before reaching a real legal court, so don’t think it is only the State/Local laws you will have to contend with.
“TO HELL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES”
Ah yes, the last statement of the tough guy. Also phrased as “better judged by twelve than carried by six”. This is the statement of someone who thinks court is free. This is the statement of someone who has zero idea of the time and money lost when having to defend yourself for doing the right thing. I got news or you: Good lawyers are not cheap and they are usually very busy. Do you like the idea of going to jail for a year and losing your job, your savings, and time with your family all because you decided to put on your cape and play Captain Righteous? I assure you that you can absolutely ruin decades of work in less than a minute. But the damage will extend to every connection you have. Your family will probably face death/rape/kidnap threats, social harassment, career losses to save face, etc. If you care about your family, you may want to include them in your planning and even consult an attorney about what to do. They should be kept abreast of what to expect and be included in your planning. Realistically most people don’t involve their family in planning because they don’t think that far ahead. Their knowledge and planning ends at the Captain Righteous scenario. Sad, but true.
Ah yes, the last statement of the tough guy. Also phrased as “better judged by twelve than carried by six”. This is the statement of someone who thinks court is free. This is the statement of someone who has zero idea of the time and money lost when having to defend yourself for doing the right thing. I got news or you: Good lawyers are not cheap and they are usually very busy. Do you like the idea of going to jail for a year and losing your job, your savings, and time with your family all because you decided to put on your cape and play Captain Righteous? I assure you that you can absolutely ruin decades of work in less than a minute. But the damage will extend to every connection you have. Your family will probably face death/rape/kidnap threats, social harassment, career losses to save face, etc. If you care about your family, you may want to include them in your planning and even consult an attorney about what to do. They should be kept abreast of what to expect and be included in your planning. Realistically most people don’t involve their family in planning because they don’t think that far ahead. Their knowledge and planning ends at the Captain Righteous scenario. Sad, but true.
MY POINT
If you are planning on using a firearm for self-defense, you need to make plans regardless of it being home defense or defense outside the home. This will require thinking about everything from actions before the use of the firearm and even what to do after you use the firearm. I hope that I was effective at illustrating how vast and elaborate the subject of self-defense is. Defense goes beyond the gun, and incorporates so much more.
If you are planning on using a firearm for self-defense, you need to make plans regardless of it being home defense or defense outside the home. This will require thinking about everything from actions before the use of the firearm and even what to do after you use the firearm. I hope that I was effective at illustrating how vast and elaborate the subject of self-defense is. Defense goes beyond the gun, and incorporates so much more.
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