for those of us who are "unarmed"...
Given that the most brutal murderer in the next county in 40 years has my address (tried to reach out in Christian love, and YEAH, I knew what I was risking when I did it), and I've turned down recruitment from his gang (my PO was half amused and half really alarmed, since I'm NOT the banger type at all), I'm back to the drill when I lived back in Cleveland and worked with gang kids for YFC.
It goes like this:
1] There is a phone within arms reach of my pillow. Cops are armed, I'm not. Plus I serve half the force late nite coffee when they're on duty w/ graveyard shifts. #1 is to call the police.
2] I have a ground floor window, and I'm outta there through the screen if I have to be. Better to avoid a fight than have to hurt someone else or get hurt (which if they're prepared and I'm not, is simply more likely.
3] If #2 is not an option, then it's time to ready the blade and wait in the closet. Again, AVOIDING confrontation is the goal. NoTHING in my place is worth my life or anothers.
4] If #3 is not an option, you can't pull your trigger without a hand, or aim without eyes. No stupid Ki-up or other martial arts garbage, swing w/o warning or hesitation and hope the ambulance gets here in time to plug the hole in my gut. Got 21 years w/ swords, and while it's a pathetic match against an intruder, fighting back is preferable to surrender. Some things (like my life and health) are worth fighting for. To paraphrase Kung Fu the movie: "It is better to cripple than kill, better to maim then cripple, better to wound then maim, and better to flee than wound."
I know that fumbling in the dark is a bad idea, but I wake up faster than I'd want to, and violently after 10 years of being under threat of gang violence. For the record, this is NOT bragging, I regret this as it has frightened the hell out of some very good and peaceful people who don't deserve to get attacked just 'cause they woke me up unexpectedly. Swept a wonderful woman's legs out from under her while she stepped across me crashing on their floor.
:banghead:
At least a sword isn't going to go off and blow my leg off, though Martin Luther dropped his through his foot as a law student (earliest 'Accidental Discharge' that I know about) 'cause he was swinging it in time to a song.
Seriously though, I know I'm at a serious disadvantage not having RKBA, but even a dog will bite if you walk into it's cage and try and take its food. But many people here are vastly superior to me tactically and have dozens of years more experience. Didn't know where else to put the question, but any advice on refining the plan is welcome.