Strategy is more than just a manual of arms

[CrankyOldGuy]

A long post follows, my apologies.

I have a home defense strategy. It begins with 4" screws in my hinges and lock strike plates, good outside lighting, and cleared landscaping to avoid hidden access points. It continues with a monitored alarm system.

A talk about "what ifs" with the younger children and firearms training with the wife and older children round out the plan.

All of my family can shoot accurately and know where the loaded firearms are kept. All respect those firearms.

All of them (from the 10yo blackbelt to wifey) can break at least two 12x12x1" pine boards with a hand strike, (and know how to apply that same technique to a person if needed) I taught them all to do so. A firearm isn't always at hand, you need to know how to strike and run away or how to create enough space to draw.

We are a calm, quiet, loving, christian family. Violence is not a part of our lives. But the confidence and strength of my children, IMHO due in large part to my insistence that they be able to defend themselves, is admirable.

I think I have done about everything possible to prevent the need to shoot someone in defense of my family and given my family the means and knowledge to defend themselves if required. THAT is a far better strategy then dad just buying a taticool firearm and leaving it loaded in the corner.

Living in the USA allows us many freedoms others don't enjoy, every generation of my family have fought to preserve that freedom, myself and my brother included.

Long after I am gone there will be seven Americans I've raised to understand firearms and personal freedom...seven more to carry on the traditions of those who authored our constitution.

Do your part, my friends. Our children are this country's future. Teach them well, and keep the spirit of America alive. Teach them how to defend themselves, and how to be safe and responsible firearms owners.

I'm sorry if my strategy spans several generations, rather than just immediate need...hopefully you will understand.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Might also want to look in to a grappling martial art, such as Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Lots of fights go to the ground.

 

[Treo]

Lots of fights go to the ground.

Damn near every fight I've ever been in went to the ground

 

[CrankyOldGuy]

Hehe, at the risk of sounding like a smarta$$, all of my fights have ended up on the ground...but I was still standing.

 

[sherman123]

Couldn't agree more and it's good to see there's plenty of people out there who aren't just guncentric. Aiki-juitsu is another great "grappling" art that focuses heavily on small joint manipulations including those on the fingers and wrists. Not just about groundfighting as much of it involves defense while standing but from the right instructor and with enough practice you can't go wrong.

 

[bikerdoc]

From one cranky old guy to the real CrankyOldGuy, I think you have done an admirable job with your family and I particularly like the layered defense of your home set up.
As one of our senior mentors says, to often we default to gun, use your brain, software not hadrware.Keep on thinking to protect
you and yours.
God Bless
Doc

 

[CrankyOldGuy]

God bless you too, Doc.
I try to use the best I was given, and give the best I can.

Hopefully, long after I am gone, the wonderful men and women I've raised will continue the tradition.

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[WardenWolf]

My clever grandfather did something interesting to his back door: his back door opens outwards, and has the hinges and hinge pins on the outside. Worried that someone might simply take the hinges off, he put a hole in each of the plates that lines up with a hole on the doorframe side, and installed pins through the holes. When the door is closed, these pins go through the hinge plates and into the doorframe, so that even if someone took the hinge pins out the door could not come open.

 

[Cuda]

Long after I am gone there will be seven Americans I've raised to understand firearms and personal freedom...seven more to carry on the traditions of those who authored our constitution.

Good for you..


C