Self-Defense or Self-Preservation?

What would you do if you were staring down the barrel of a crook's gun?

  • I am not sure how I would react

    Votes: 23 23.2%

  • I'd reach for mine and hope that I'm quicker and possess more nerve than him

    Votes: 18 18.2%

  • I'd comply with his demands and pray that he leaves me alone

    Votes: 15 15.2%

  • I'd try to get to my gun so if he kills me, at least I'll go out in a blaze of glory

    Votes: 10 10.1%

  • Not Listed(in your post state what you would do if it's not listed above)

    Votes: 33 33.3%
  • Total voters
    99
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R

Ron-Bon

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
125
Location
Herndon, VA
First off, the title of this post may confuse some because self-defense and self-preservation seem to be synonymous.

This is not always true though. Let's look at a home invasion for instance. I've heard quite a few fellow gunowners seemingly bragging about what they would do if their home is invaded by a two or more well-armed low-lifes. Now self-defense would require that you make it to wherever your weapon is stored and you eliminate the threat. Self-preservation may or may not parrallel this course of action. Depending upon many other factors, self-preservation may require that you just remain calm, do what the thugs tell you, and pray that they leave when they have taken what they came for. I will be the first to admit that this seems somewhat cowardly and almost defeats the purpose of having weapons in the first place, but there may come a time when you have no choice, particularly if you family is present(you don't want to leave your children alone with these criminals while you rush to wherever it is that you keep your 12 gauge).

Give this some thought. What are you really going to do with a criminal shoving his gun in your face? Do you think that he won't notice you trying to reach for your hip for your CCW, or under your couch cushions for your AK?

P.S.
I'm almost certain that this question has been asked in some way shape or form, but I would like to hear new responses and from new members, or old members who have undergone new experiences/training
 
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There's not nearly enough information to make a choice besides "none of the above."

Am I totally surprised? Am I alone? Is there more than one badguy? Is my gun readily accessible? Is the badguy nervous? Do I think he may kill me anyway? Will he want to rape my wife/daughter after killing me?

Or did I see this coming a couple seconds ahead of time and get my hand on my gun just in case this happened?

As for home invasions, I've had my gun in hand more than once in response to odd house noises....

So if they busted in the door with the SECOND kick and I already had my gun in hand, let's just say, they chose poorly.
 
I choose not sure because I'm not the only person in my house that has a gun and is capable of using it. If the bad guy only has me cornered and he is alone I hope for his sake he has eyes in the back of his head. Now out in a more public environment, store, parking garage etc. I just don't know.

C
 
Isn't the whole point being prepared and alert enough not to let the situation get that far along?

I'm a student in my 20's, and I usually live alone. No wife, no kids, and no dogs. The only time a crook could point a gun at me would be by ambushing me in public or maybe a home invasion where I didn't wake up fast enough. Otherwise, I'll be armed.

Legal rant: I guess I wouldn't be armed when on a college campus, where I spend most of my time. So if I'm walking around late at night on an urban college campus where bad guys routinely walk around, it sometimes gets scary at night.

Thank God I'm at a small town, rural school now with no inner-city crime. But there's tens of thousands of folks who don't have that luxury, and they're not able to protect themselves on school property. What gives?
 
It's a heck of a lot easier to jar the muzzle and take away or disarm/disassemble the gun than it is to try and draw faster than the assailant can shoot.

Put me down as "other."
 
...do what the thugs tell you, and pray that they leave when they have taken what they came for.
Click to expand...
It's terribly naive to assume that they came to take ONLY property.

If I knew for certain they were there only to take property I'd comply. It's clearly a better option than risking injury to me and the other innocents in my house.

It's exactly because I can NOT assume that they're only interested in taking property that compliance is not an option. There are worse things than dying, and Dr. William Petit Jr. could explain exactly what I'm talking about. He was beaten and left for dead but managed to recover enough to crawl out of the house. His two daughters and his wife were tied up, abused and then left to burn.
Do you think that he won't notice you trying to reach for your hip for your CCW...
Click to expand...
Here's a 70 year old man who drew against a drawn gun and multiple opponents and came out uninjured.

http://www.wlky.com/video/16497481/index.html
http://www.wlky.com/video/16509601/

He (and his wife) survived because he had the right mindset and was creative.
 
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I dealt with this during a robbery at work (video store years ago) and just complied with their demands. I was armed with a pocket knife & was on the wrong side of the counter to do anything.
In a different situation, I'm sure I would react differently, but in all honesty, the one time I ever had a gun pointed at me I complied. I've dealt with two knife attacks, one I got cut on the hand requiring four stitches and the other time I lucked out, no injuries. Guns are a much different situation tho.
In my home, I'm always armed, with one of my snubs in my pocket, or maybe my G30. It's just the way I do things, read too many horror stories about home invasions and it's just too simple to arm myself to fix the odds in my favor. Of course, I'm going to be moving down the hall to a shotgun... ^_^
 
I think all gun owners go through these thoughts in mind and assume a lot of scenarios.
First of all, with family & kids its not sensible to keep a loaded gun around. Second in these situations, the badguys are having the element of surprise. So if you are lucky and somehow forewarned, you can have the time to respond.
Anyhow one should prepare for the worst. And the best preparation is to have a gun & have some training with it. Pray to GOD that he is on your side and when the time comes the initiative rests with you.
 
9/11 pretty much blew the bow off of "Just do what he says and you'll be ok". That ship sank with all hands. And that was just the icing on the cake. Combine that with the Wendy's execution murders, the Lane Bryant execution murders, etc., etc., etc., and a lot of people like me are determined to resist no matter what.

Every time I see some ninny tell me I need to trust in the rationality and common decency of a total stranger threatening my life with a weapon, I just want to spit in his or her face.

With a gun and the will to use it, I've got a CHANCE against a John Wesley Hardin. On my knees, with a gun to the back of my head, WITHOUT the will to defend my life, I'm as good as dead against Michael J. Fox.
 
9/11 pretty much blew the bow off of "Just do what he says and you'll be ok". That ship sank with all hands. And that was just the icing on the cake. Combine that with the Wendy's execution murders, the Lane Bryant execution murders, etc., etc., etc., and a lot of people like me are determined to resist no matter what.

Every time I see some ninny tell me I need to trust in the rationality and common decency of a total stranger threatening my life with a weapon, I just want to spit in his or her face.

With a gun and the will to use it, I've got a CHANCE against a John Wesley Hardin. On my knees, with a gun to the back of my head, WITHOUT the will to defend my life, I'm as good as dead against Michael J. Fox.
Click to expand...
Amen
 
he's already got his on me, there is no way i could get to mine before he shoots. my thinking would be if the gun is close enough, take his. sweep it to one side and grab the wrist
 
I personally voted that I don't know how I would react. The last time a gun was pointed to me, I called the guy every name under the sun accept a child of God, and I had balled up my fists and advanced towards him. I could see on his face that my reaction surprised him and he shot me more out of fear than anything else. I was unarmed(only 20yrs old at the time) so needless to say if I was packin', I would have taken great pleasure in showing this wanna-be gangster how bullet feel when they shatter bones(a jawbone in my case).
 
Well, I would have to comply at least initially. I mean come on people, it doesn't take long to pull a trigger. I would comply and wait for my chance. My concern is getting out alive, whether he is or not. However, keep in mind that the main goal is still getting out alive, either way.
 
I'd be too busy crapping my pants and crying like a little girl to do much of anything else.
I guess put that down as "other".
 
Shoot the hostage.


Your question is pretty weak. It is kind of like saying "You go to a car dealership and see a new car for $2000, what do you do?". Leaves a lot of unasked questions, too many variables to even consider a course of action.
 
I have been in this position.

I was 15 and working th eclosing shift at Mc Donalds. A guy walks in at about 10:15. I'm the only one at the counter someone in drivethru a cook and a manager in the back.

The guy looked like he just for off a motorcycle. He walks up wearing blue jeans, flannel shirt ans bandana.

When the gun came out and was pointed at me I froze in place. the mamager came up as he saw me frozen in front of the "customer".

As soon as the Mgr. came to the front...I slowly moved behind the grill away from the fryer.

He got the money. No one was hurt.

BTW, the police were across teh street as this was happening, giving a traffic ticket.

After the Bad Guy leaves, we run outside to notify the cops.

Having anyone point a loaded gun at you is a scary experience. even if I had a firearm my safety overruled any heroism.

Fact is...when taken by surprise...you do whatever you can to get out of the situation alive/unharmed.
 
9/11 pretty much blew the bow off of "Just do what he says and you'll be ok". That ship sank with all hands. And that was just the icing on the cake. Combine that with the Wendy's execution murders, the Lane Bryant execution murders, etc., etc., etc., and a lot of people like me are determined to resist no matter what.

Every time I see some ninny tell me I need to trust in the rationality and common decency of a total stranger threatening my life with a weapon, I just want to spit in his or her face.

With a gun and the will to use it, I've got a CHANCE against a John Wesley Hardin. On my knees, with a gun to the back of my head, WITHOUT the will to defend my life, I'm as good as dead against Michael J. Fox.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself. There are things worse than death. I would rather die than live to see my wife get raped and brutalized by some animal pointing a gun at me. He better hope and pray that he has enough bullets to finish the job, because I will die choking on my own blood as I squeeze his neck and choke the life out of him with my barehands, if I can't get to my firearms. Furthermore, I was surprised the option of trying to disarm the criminal wasn't provided in the poll. When you're that close, a disarming/redirecting line of fire might serve you better than trying to go OK Corral style- shoot out. At least to give you time/opportunity to go for your own firearm with better odds of success.
Bottom line for me, I'll take my chances, thank you. I'd rather die standing on my feet than live begging on my knees while my wife and daughters are ravaged before my eyes because of my cowardice.
 
sm: "Did I mention .357 loads are LOUD when fired indoors?"

You did, but it's a truth that bears repeating.

First time I had a handgun discharge at close quarters indoors it was a 4 inch 44 Special loaded with Corbon +Ps. Ears rang for days.
 
sm: "Did I mention .357 loads are LOUD when fired indoors?"
Click to expand...

You did, but it's a truth that bears repeating.
Click to expand...

It's bad out in the open. Man, I remember the first time I went back up to the firing line after getting a drink & forgot to put my ear plugs back in before I fired my Taurus 605 loaded with .357mag

I actually spun around, I thought for just a second that someone punched me in the side of the head! .357mag out of a 2" is pretty gnarly!

PS: I'm picking up a S&W 642 this week as a "house" gun for the little lady (when I don't have it, I'm a real snub snob, just love 'em)
She hates my G30, her carpal tunnel just won't let her operate it well, but she loves my Taurus 605 w/ .38, so why not?
 
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My 9mm is an arm length away at night, and my wife's 642 isn't much harder for her to get at, so going to get the gun isn't much of an issue. That said, if I wake up with a gun pointed at my head, it's hard to imagine that I could just reach for my pistol. If I hear somebody breaking in with warning, you can bet it's in my hand in short order and I'm in self defense mode.
 
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