There's arisen a question based on a thread at JihadWatch, and I'd like to try to give some answers that might help. If you have any questions or want to add anything, feel free to jump in and get involved.
The scenario: one man standing in a London bank minding his own business when a veiled woman comes up to him, pulls down her veil revealing Anglo facial features and asking for help because she's about to be taken against her will. Before the man can form a response or a plan of action, a group of men in Arab garb indeed do rush in and drag the woman off. The man's left standing there.
First, Great Britain has had a stupid law against self-defense for many years, but I heard that law has changed. So, maybe it's permissible for Brits to arm themselves now. If you are a Brit, let us all know here, eh?
Some basic principles to remember and build on, if you choose:
- Decide beforehand what you're going to do. If that requires you check the local laws, then do so. Once you've done that, you can decide if it's in your enlightened self-interest to obey those laws. Am I suggesting you should break any law? Not at all. But facts in front of you might convince you, a reasonable person, that if you have a reasonable fear for your safety or life, or that of another, it might be best for you to go with the lesser of two evils: you carrying a/o using a gun vs. someone killing you. It's entirely your call, not mine.
- Prepare yourself mentally by remembering that people all over the world do all kinds of horrible things to one another every day. And while the statistical probabilities that one of those bad people will "happen" to you may be infinitesimally small, don't be complacent. Murphy doesn't care about statistical probabilities.
- Prepare yourself physically. Stay strong and alert, and unencumbered by things that might prevent your quick movement.
If you've got a group of bad guys coming at you to snatch someone, the instinct to grab and protect the intended victim is a good one. Hold on and scream FIRE, if you can't see any friendlies around. If people show up, either tell them to help you or to call the police.
Yes ~ tell them ~ don't ask.
If you see friendlies, just scream HELP, and tell them to come help you and to call the cops. Or to just call the cops and wait there until cops arrive. You might get lucky ~ they might actually help you.
Check the link to this site or this one or maybe even this one for some simple moves you can practice on your own, if you're so inclined.
If you're armed and you decide you're going to use deadly force, here's hoping you have enough bullets... and some hi-cap magazines. While law enforcement SOP in many jurisdictions is now to shoot until the threat stops being a threat, eschewing the ol' double-tap, you as a private citizen might not have back-up on the way. And, you might not have a hide-out gun on your ankle or another dozen full pistol mags in your cargo pockets.
So, in view of the totality of that circumstance that drive your decision, you may have to conserve your ammo and settle for this: put about four quick rounds into the chest of the guy who's closest to you, or the guy who has the weapon ~ gun, knife, chain, bludgeon ~ if there's one in play on their side. Then, right away, put about four quick rounds into the guy next closest to you. Remember that a guy with a knife who's within arms reach of you is a bigger threat to you than another guy 20' away from you with a gun. Shoot the guy with the knife first, then the one with the gun.
Hey, these are thoughts that come from tactical doctrine being taught in various police academies in this country. BUT, I'm not telling you to do any of them. You decide.
Since I was asked what I would do, here goes: If I couldn't run with the woman, I'd get her under or behind me, I'd sit on her or get her into a corner and lean on her. And if she was screamin', I'd tell her to put a sock in it. I would draw my weapon in such a way that the bad guys saw it, to give them one last chance to turn and walk away before the shooting starts. If they turned and walked, I'd stay right there until the cops showed up.
If they kept coming, I'd take out the closest one first, and then the next closest one. Then I'd put as many bullets into the rest of them as time and distance would allow. I might have to reload in there somewhere, but fortunately I tend to be prepared in that regard.
Once the bad guys were down, I'd probably move to a safer position, away from any shots they might want to fire or any other last-ditch efforts they may want to try in order to please their master. I'd wait there for the cops. When they showed up, I'd tell 'em I'm the shooter, I'm legal, and I'm not putting down my weapon until the thugs in that heap over there are under control. I'd keep my weapon with the muzzle down, not pointing it in the direction of any cop, but I'd not put it down until the bad guys were in irons or body bags. But that's just me.
Then I'd place my weapon on the floor, because it is a fine work of art, not a Saturday Night Special. And I'd cooperate fully with the investigation. But, if the questioning began to sound like they thought I was a bad guy for protecting the woman and myself, then I'd invoke my right to an attorney and politely tell them I would answer no more of their questions. In fact, if the attitude of any of my police questioners was hostile toward me, I'd ask immediately for an attorney. After that, I'd find a lawyer who defends self-defense cases/shooting.
I'll catch up with you here later with some reading and DVD suggestions.
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