RoR: Forum

I'd also have recommended Krav Maga, which is used by the Israeli Police and Military. Very effective, doesn't go afar from straight combat situations, no katas or other recreational stuff.

Personally, I'd like to have a weapon, but meh, living in Germany has a major disadvantage. At least, I will consider buying a Crossbow or a taser in the future.

Post 1

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 1:15am

You go, Dunc. I can taste the grit. Kia Kaha.

Ross

Post 2

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 3:33am

Max,

Yes, I first had a look for Krav Maga, but found no schools in Auckland, where I live.

Ross,

Kia ora, e hoa :-) "Elliot" - he ingoa Maori tena, ne? ;-)

Post 3

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 3:30am

I have spent my life in Law Enforcement Duncan, and if I have learnt anything, it is don't for a second believe the Police and the Justice system will protect you or defend you.

If , and statistics show that you won't - you won't even make it to the personal alarm the Security company sold you, but if you wake up to find some thug inside your house, be prepared for a fight to the death. I kid you not. Particularly in New Zealand, where I once wore the Police badge with pride, you are better off to shoot them dead.

And sorry, but unless you are prepared to train for the rest of your life, martial arts are next to useless.

Do not present a weapon at an attacker unless you are absolutely versed in its use, you will become the victim otherwise.

Joe Average is no match for the sociopaths and borderline psychopaths that inhabit your environment, and even less for the mind boggling morass that passes for Justice in New Zealand. Do I sound cynical enough for you? I'm sorry but 27 yrs of dealing with these thugs, and the Justice system, has dulled my sense of humour on this point.

The alarm system is your best defence, make sure it is monitored and has a guard response (it will cost more but then what price do you put on your most precious)- and check the response times of the guard, you will find they should be twice as fast as your average Police patrol, get into a daily lockdown routine, and if you feel the urge start training. Neighbourhood watch is useless unless you are surrounded by retired single women.

Mind you the biggest thief is probably snoring her head off in Vogel House right now so you should be safe till the morning!

Post 4

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 4:53am

Duncan, everything you are doing makes sense. What is the crime like in your area? Do you consider the break-in at your place somewhat of a fluke? Or are there a bunch of thugs runnin' around?

Daniel says:

if you wake up to find some thug inside your house, be prepared for a fight to the death. I kid you not. Particularly in New Zealand, where I once wore the Police badge with pride, you are better off to shoot them dead.

That's right, Daniel. One advantage any serious criminal has over a kind-hearted good citizen like yourself is their attitude. The attitude of a potential killer scares most anyone in a state of immobility (that's not good!). When Daniel says, "a fight to the death," it gives a real sense of that killer attitude. That's why Marines are such badasses. They'll kill you and smile why they're doin' it.

And sorry, but unless you are prepared to train for the rest of your life, martial arts are next to useless.

I don't know about the rest of your life but a couple years at the very least. The advantage of martial arts is the element of surprise: they don't expect you to know what you know. If you master a few techniques your chance of survival goes way up. Especially if the thugs get cocky and careless. But a multiple attack scenario is a bad scene all the way around. If they have weapons that makes it much worse.

Post 5

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 4:55am

By the way, the wine bottle at the top and the heading "The Good Life" should be replaced with a pic of a guy smiling with two black eyes and a broken nose with a heading that reads, "Survival!"

Post 6

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 5:04am

Duncan, ae kia ora. Elliot? Maori? Kao. Ngati Scottish :-)

How did you feel about that new haka last week? I quite enjoyed it.

Ross

Post 7

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 5:09am

I have been through a couple of martial arts (from Judo, Karate, Shaolin to Win Tsu and lately Krav Maga). Most of these I have found entertaining and help you keep your wits about (which is the best part imo.). They also give you a sense of confidence, which will help you to overcome the state of immobility that is so dangerous.
About real-life effectiveness, I am sure they are worth something, although not much, because they are mostly stylized and I haven't been in a fight and I am glad about it.

I have heard that Kick-Boxing can help a bit, but the training is too extreme for me (it is not about learning anything, but demoralizing your partner).

Post 8

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 7:33am

Everyone should learn to box, or at least spar a few times, because it teaches you what it feels like to get hit (unlike the vast majority of martial art training), and teaches you your natural response and resilience. Then, as has been suggested before, you should become proficient in about 3 stopping techniques that blind or maim quickly, and practice them until they are second nature. You only need one lightning fast and effective technique.

Letting people conceal-carry handguns would solve 90% of the problems, while probably increasing some others by about 5%. But you'd better learn to shoot, and be willing to pull the trigger if and when.

Post 9

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 7:52am

This is a timely article given the events that are playing out here in the states in New Orleans. Rape, looting and murder seem to be rampant. Even in the designated "shelters". What would the attitude of these thugs be if they expected the average person to be armed and capable of defending themselves? I bet we would see a lot less of it. An almost equally vile action is that being committed by the left. They defend and rationalise the actions of the thug while fighting to take away the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. I am still incredulous at the degree of evil that libs will rush out to defend.
(Edited by Jody Allen Gomez on 9/02, 7:58am)

Post 10

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 7:55am

Maintain a personal appearance that causes them to wonder if just maybe you are more of a psychopath than they—they’ll choose someone else.

Post 11

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 8:47am

Good article Duncan. Esp with the post Katrina madness going on, it is good to take stock of how you would protect your family. Attitude is everything. The willingness to use any object or body part to hurt the opponent is part of it. And the willingness to finish it.

John

Post 12

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 9:26am

I have a pretty strong background in this area, and I think there was a great deal of very sensible advice given here, which is not all that common when such questions are asked. Lots of good things about preparation, situational awareness, the reality of what learning hand combat means and where it fits, etc.

On top of keeping my homefront secure (which usually presents additional difficulties if you have kids), I've just spent the last year working in an extremely tough and dangerous neighborhood. It's very true that there is a lot that can be taken care of by observation, and how you carry yourself. There is no margin for error and no room to hesitate.

Imagine the monkey business going on down there in the flood areas. Man...

best,
rde

Post 13

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 11:38am

Good article, Duncan.

Wake-up calls like your article are much needed on an ongoing basis. I find myself guilty of relaxing my guard often.

Now, onto other things...

(ahem)

But first I will check a bit into my own security measures. Thanks for the reminder.

Michael

Post 14

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 11:43am

Excellent article!

I used to carry (PPK .380) on occasion when I lived in northern CT. I stopped 'cause Oprah said that I'd eventually shoot myself.

;o)

Post 15

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 12:28pm

Oprah doesnt need to carry a piece, shes got people around her who are well armed :)

Post 16

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 1:12pm

Summer-

Only a .380? Wasn't it you who called .40 caliber 'anemic'?

Post 17

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 1:40pm

I've been staying with my .45, but even though it's a concealed carry model it is clunky to carry around the hood, so I will probably get a Glock 9, and maybe something else very small.

I keep that nearby when I'm bedded down (as well as my pants and shoes, old habit), but I wouldn't mind having a Mossberg pump action for home. You put some grips and such on it, it's a very affordable solution. Point at the bad thing and make it go away (might involve some drywall work later). Plus, you have the advantage of being able to make the universally recognized sound of a shotgun being racked up.

That's about it for me, save for a S/W tactical knife, some mace, and various pieces of lumber lying around in strategic places.

(Edited by Rich Engle on 9/02, 1:41pm)

(Edited by Rich Engle on 9/02, 1:42pm)

(Edited by Rich Engle on 9/02, 1:43pm)

Post 18

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 3:37pm

Only a .380? Wasn't it you who called .40 caliber 'anemic'?

Yup. But the Walther fit in my bag. My S&W Model 29 .44 didn't.

Post 19

Friday, September 2, 2005 - 3:38pm