Real world gun fights don’t happen in the safety of the gun range. They don’t happen in sterile environments where the background music alerts us to the impending doom that’s about to happen. The bad guys are looking for people who they believe will be easy targets – those who are absorbed in their own world. People who have their faces buried in their phones or on conversations, anyone not paying attention to the world around them with their heads down are going to be the prime target. Ideally they’re going to get as close as possible to their intended victim before doing anything criminal. They are going to use speed, surprise and will be violent in their actions and of course, they won’t fight fair, it’ll be dirty. Remember, we don’t get to pick when and where the attack happens.
Our biggest deterrence is by not presenting ourselves as an easy target. We need to be aware of our surroundings, not playing on our phones, heads up and making eye contact with those around us. These simple tasks alone will make us a harder target to attack and while it won’t completely eliminate us as targets, it will make us a less desirable target.
If we do find ourselves as a target of an assault, we have to reduce our OODA loop response by constantly staying in condition yellow when we are out and about. Being aware of our surroundings and mentally prepared will help us move through our fight, flight or posture responses. We cannot have the mindset of victim at any time and must move to the predator mindset quickly if we are attacked. (We’ve already lost if we think of ourselves as the hunted; we have to be the hunter if we want to survive a deadly encounter.) In order to be the most prepared for this type of encounter, we must constantly train with armed and unarmed defensive techniques.
Unfortunately, most gun owners do not train consistently or even semi-regularly. Back in 2019, less than 7% of gun owners in Texas had done any type of formal training and only 1% of Texas permit holders do anything above the required state minimum requirements. With more and more constitutional carry permit states, it’s probably safe to assume these statistics hold true for general assumptions. Keep in mind conceal carry classes required by states don’t go over technique or anything advanced, these classes are simply to make sure basic safe handling principles are understood and the do’s and don’ts of when to brandish a firearm. These classes are not designed to be the end all be all for firearms training. And it is our duty as responsible firearms owners to get reliable and consistent training.
How we train is important in defensive situations. Once we have a solid foundation in our fundamentals, we have to move beyond the indoor gun range or plinking of bottles out in our neighbors field. We have to train outdoors in all different lighting situations, we need to be able to run, hide behind barriers and have moving targets that simulate multiple attackers. The goal is to start inducing stress while training. We need speed and accuracy with our movements becoming fluid and reliable while under stress and in awkward positions. This is one reason why I’m a huge proponent of IDPA competitions (International Defensive Pistol Association). As a side note for ladies, I try to dress in ways that best accommodate my every day carry pistol (edc) verses finding ways to just get by with it off my body somewhere close.
And while I’ll never be an MMA fighter, taking self defense classes such as Krav Maga and classes that teach grappling and hitting are a must. We are not always allowed to conceal carry everywhere and in a surprise attack, we might not have time to draw a firearm even if we have it on us and we.must be prepared to fight with other improvised weapons. (I always carry a heavy duty Yeti water bottle with me which could very easily be a great weapon if used properly.) Each of our car keys also have a kubaton attached – a fantastic striking implement that fits easily in my hand and yet is still fairly concealed while walking through a parking lot.
Intentional training both on and off the range will be key to your survival in a bad situation. Your moves need to be so practiced they’re instinctual and fast. Stay aware of your surroundings, be vigilant, be prepared and get home safely.
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