"Gun Owners are compensating for something"?

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Skribs

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I've heard it suggested in the past that gun owners are compensating for something, usually the fact that they are physically weak and can't win a fight without one. I came across this article referenced in a wikipedia reading I was doing at work. You can tell who the author is in the article, Jet Li. He is regarded by many as one of the best martial artists, at least in movies, of our time.

http://jetli.com/jet/index.php?l=en&s=body&ss=essays&p=3

Finally, on the issue of self-defense. My knowledge and experience in this area of martial arts are limited, as my focus and training have been on the other three aspects of wushu practice. I cannot give a specific opinion on the subject. The training process, again, must be tailored to the body type of each individual. There is no all-encompassing technique that will enable everyone to fulfill his or her self-defense needs.

Situations always vary. It is hard to say under what circumstances it is right or wrong to use martial arts against someone else. Of course, generally speaking, avoiding conflict and resorting to lawful authorities are always the best means of dealing with a dangerous situation. If a robber holds a gun to you and wants your money, it is better to give him the money than to risk your life. A gun outdoes years of martial arts training in a split second. Like I've said many times before, it is important to differentiate between movies and reality. The hero in movies may be able to knock the gun off his opponent and save the day, but in real life - probably that is not the case.

I find it real interesting that the average joe thinks you should use martial arts to defend yourself because you want to "be a man", but one of the people known specifically for martial arts understands the limitations on man, and what the tools available to us allow someone to do regardless of training.

Anyway, I know it's pretty common knowledge on THR, but I just wanted to present this from the point of view of someone trained in martial arts as opposed to being a gun nut (I'm speaking of Mr. Li, and not myself, of course).
 
Hell, you don't have to pull up something by Jet Li- I AM compensating for something.

I really don't have a lot of confidence in my ability to overcome an attack using deadly force on my person (or a situation involving multiple attackers,) with just my hand-to-hand skills alone.
 
I have a martial arts background, which is why I have a gun.

I am painfully aware of how limited empty hands are, in certain circumstances. My gun is a last resort. It is there for when my 1) words, 2) more words, 3) ability to leave, 4) hands and feet fail to negate threatening situations.




I guess you could say that I'm compensating for something... I'm compensating for the inability or unwillingness of some components of society to self regulate.
 
At my age and with arthritis I feel like prey every time I go out with my cane. I do a lot of shopping at night since I'm retired and a bit of a nightowl and there are several stores around which are 24/7. So, since I can't run and I can't fight any more, I carry a laser-sighted wheelgun 24/7.

So yes, I am compensating for "something," but not what usually comes to mind when that pop-psychology concept is used by anti gunners. :neener:

I understand the new attack method is to run up from behind and deliver either a drop kick or a full-body impact to knock the prey down. So I watch my six a lot, like in parking lots and so forth. According to what I've read, this can happen in daylight, too.

A while ago I was tempted to get one of those bicyclist's mirrors you mount on your glasses, but I figured, nah, that was being too paranoid.

But, after all, I didn't get to be 73 by not being careful, so I may do that anyhow and the hell with those who think it looks funny.

However, I found that glass is your friend, like car and store windows and the like, to check your rear echelon by the reflections. Oh, and in daytime, shadows. And for heaven's sake, don't go bopping around with your earbuds in. Nowadays, just plain walking for the enjoyment of it is a tactical excercise.

Terry, 230RN
 
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Heh heh. That's pretty funny in a way.

Defensively speaking, I AM trying to compensate for something -- the fact that a violent criminal might be stronger, faster, sneakier than me and there might be more of them than me.

Competition-wise, I am compensating for the fact that I can't THROW bullets fast enough to make "power factor" so I won't be allowed to compete if I don't have a gun.

From the point of view of a collector, having a nice gun may compensate for my poor ability to enjoy that blank spot on my wall nearly as much as I can appreciate the gorgeous blued steel and walnut work of art I prefer to hang upon it.

When I go hunting, a firearm helps me compensate for the fact that I can't fly very well, and don't run all that fast, so catching game would otherwise be quite difficult. I also have a stove which helps me compensate for my inability to safely digest raw meats.

My car helps me compensate for the fact that it would take me two days just to get to work on foot.

My phone and internet connections compensate for the fact that my voice is too weak to be heard by friends in other parts of the country, or on the other side of the world.

I also own clothing which helps me compensate for an insufficiently toned physique to be able to go about in public without.

Yup, I'm compensating!
 
Yes I am compensating for my inadequacies by keeping a handgun for self defense. I have arthritis that prevents making a fist, and double hernia that prevents running. I am 64 years old and caring for a disabled wife drains a lot of energy and leaves me unable to duke it out with an attacker like the poser "real he men" who don't need a gun to defend their manly selves.
 
Sam, you made me laugh.

Personally, I compensate for the fact that I am about as physically coordinated as Steve Erkel...and not much bigger.
 
Ask a 25 year old person that is physically fit whether they can defend themselves from someone of equal fitness and experience in a fight (fist, wrestling, etc). Ask that same question to a person 40 years older who is no longer as healthy, fast, fit nor prone to put themsleves in a situation that requires physically hitting someone.

That 25 year old can probably receive a few good whacks and continue the battle; thinking that 65 year old, not so much. Fight or flight, armed or unarmed? Interesting concept when viewed using age? My randon thought for the day.
 
I compensate for the fact that criminals are cowards and often run in packs. They don't kindly attack one at a time like on Walker:Texas Ranger, but will dog pile anyone trying to use empty hand techniques. I am compensating for the fact the average criminal thug is half my age or less, and sometimes utilizing chemical "enhancement" that may limit his ability to feel pain or fear, or use logic. I am compensating for the fact I do not sport six pack abs or a body builder physique, nor do I have the time, ability or desire to become an Atlas of physical ability.
Well, gee whillickers, I guess I AM compensating for something after all...
 
I also have arthritis, big time, to the point that my body just does not do the things it once did when I was younger. I was never one for fighting, I am not a fighter. If several people were to attack me at once, I would most likely fear for my life. Not only that, I cannot be depended upon to help those who may be with me!

I have a car to compensate that I cannot run at 70 MPH.
I have a telephone as I am not any good at telepathic communication.
I have a firearm as I cannot catch a deer and kill it with a spear. I cannot shoot a blow-dart with a poisoned-tip at any wildlife as that would be considered illegal where I live.
 
Yeah, I'm compensating as well. I no longer feel I can take on 2 or 3 guys at a time like when I was young. Seemed like once I hit 50, it was over. Good thing my city has quieted down some over the years.
 
Compensating? Hell no... I like to think of it as more an issue of over equalizing.

While not directly addressing Li's perspective, I tend to raggedy-ass tired of folk (particular issue haters) laying off anything they don't understand or agree with as "making up (or compensating) for something".

My choices in the following are regularly assailed:

Cars
Dogs
Trucks
Knives
Firearms
Motorcycles
Career choices

To name a few.
 
I don't think I am compensating for anything. It isnt a rush for me to own firearms, so I din't feel like Rambo. Firearms have always been a part of my life. I do however carry concealed. This isnt to make me feel tough, it is to try to add to the peace of mind that I will make it home safe and sound. It is a violent volaile world, that I have seen first hand. It is just better to be prepared. I know that it is difficult to protect myself against multiple attackers, if more than one person tries to rob me.

A very wise man once yelled at me" there are three types of people in this world, Wolves,Sheep, and Sheepdogs" He is right.
 
I don't know who Jet Li is, but he sounds like a very very smart man.

An actor and a VERY good martial artist. Which is why if he says a gun wins vs. martial arts, I know it's not because he's bad at martial arts and blames it on the gun, it's because he understands the power that these devices have.
 
Might as well just come out and say it, that when antis make the "compensating for something" argument, they are implying that the gun owner has a small penis.

It is the most infantile and idiotic of ad-hominem attacks. Whenever someone brings that into an adult discussion on firearms, I always stop and make the individual who used that phrase explain exactly what it is they mean instead of letting them get away with such a driveby attack.
 
At my age and with arthritis I feel like prey every time I go out with my cane. I do a lot of shopping at night since I'm retired and a bit of a nightowl and there are several stores around which are 24/7. So, since I can't run and I can't fight any more, I carry a laser-sighted wheelgun 24/7.

So yes, I am compensating for "something," but not what usually comes to mind when that pop-psychology concept is used by anti gunners. :neener:

I understand the new attack method is to run up from behind and deliver either a drop kick or a full-body impact to knock the prey down. So I watch my six a lot, like in parking lots and so forth. According to what I've read, this can happen in daylight, too.

A while ago I was tempted to get one of those bicyclist's mirrors you mount on your glasses, but I figured, nah, that was being too paranoid.

But, after all, I didn't get to be 73 by not being careful, so I may do that anyhow and the hell with those who think it looks funny.

However, I found that glass is your friend, like car and store windows and the like, to check your rear echelon by the reflections. Oh, and in daytime, shadows. And for heaven's sake, don't go bopping around with your earbuds in. Nowadays, just plain walking for the enjoyment of it is a tactical excercise.

Terry, 230RN

Not paranoid at all.

Wifey & I spend a lot of time with our three grand kids, oldest just turned three last week, and my attention is necessarily on them while out in public.

Sometimes I feel like a sitting duck.

I've been seriously thought about a 'rear-view mirror' lately.
 
...when antis make the "compensating for something" argument, they are implying...
Oh, of course, but the great thing is that their "compensating" line is a terrific opening for presenting all the positive reasons for owning a gun! (Post 5)

There are also a number of fabulously "Not THR Material" responses if the opportunity was appropriate ... er, sufficiently IN-appropriate for that kind of hyjinx.
 
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