Having the urge to get your firearms training from a real-deal “face-shooter” (the cool term du jour) has a lot of appeal. And admittedly, once the firearms come into play, there’s not much nuance between what an LEO, soldier, or civilian might need in the way of skills in order to prevail.
All trainers teach marksmanship and gun handling. Many tout “mindset” as the most important aspect of the “combat triad” - but not necessarily in a manner applicable to the armed citizen. Examples of mindset include demonstrating a scan and assess after a string of fire, tactical reloads and proper ammunition management, and a generally aggressive attitude. “Winning the fight” is considered proper mindset – and it is, once the fight is on.
The best possible option for the armed citizen is to avoid the fight altogether. The next best is to extricate oneself safely once a confrontation is initiated.
What is the “mission” of the Average Joe?
- Defense of family
- Defense of self
- Defense of an innocent third-party
- Defense of property
- Exercise of a Constitutional Right
Likely scenarios the armed citizen might see:
- Carjacking
- Mugging
- Assault
- Dog attack
- Active shooter (possible offensive mission requirement)
- Home invasion
- Vandalism/Arson
- Property theft
- Looting/Rioting
The goal in nearly every scenario that an armed citizen may encounter is to retreat safely - if possible. With very few exceptions, it IS NOT the goal of the armed citizen to “run towards the sound of gun fire”. The armed citizen does not have backup, does not wear armor, is generally not armed with a long gun, and is not in constant communications with a higher authority for guidance and/or help.
The armed citizen has an obligation to avoid physical confrontation. We’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: a handgun is not a magic talisman, and being armed and trained does not prevent bad things from happening to you. It is your awareness of your surroundings, your ability to “read” people, and yes, a healthy paranoia.
Simply taking “combatives” training (hand-to-hand, bladework, disarms) in addition to more traditional firearms training is a step in the right direction for the armed citizen, but it is not enough. There are very experienced trainers who offer coursework involving deselection, de-escalation, and disengagement.
This idea of leading a “stealth existence” can be a bit much for a single 25 year old male to wrap his head around. It seems like a boring, burdensome lifestyle – it can be. However, the 38 year old married father of two with a nice house and a good job has a much easier time understanding how critical this is.
There was a time when I was convinced of the utility of carrying OC spray in addition to the other gear we load ourselves down with. For whatever reason, I allowed myself to be convinced that OC was unnecessary, but I will state now that I think OC spray is a vital option for the armed citizen, especially for dealing with two very real threats: dogs and drunks. A small, multifunction strobing light, along with a firearm and a reload, a cell phone, a folding utility knife and possibly a small fixed blade makes for a well-rounded loadout for the armed citizen.
Check your six periodically… yes, really. Get your nose out of the smart phone. Maintain your situational awareness. Know where the exits are. Put your back to a wall if you can. Lock your car doors as soon as you’re in the vehicle. Avoid drinking alcohol to the point of drunkenness.
If you see trouble headed your way, put yourself somewhere else if you can.
- Avoid Stupid Places
- Avoid Stupid People
- Avoid Stupid Things
The above is not "The Law as Told By Jay"; it is simply an expression of some opinions that I've formed through my training and experience with several very good instructors. Please feel free to discuss and disagree!
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Originally Posted by Frank D.
