Just thinking about these plans isn’t enough. Going through the actual physical motions every time you “practice”, right down to picking up the phone, will help to embed these actions in your subconscious repertoire just as concretely as the actions involved in drawing your firearm, and will make it easier for you to carry them out if you ever need to.

Remember, you’ll be running “on automatic”, so you’d better be programmed to do the right thing.

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Try this, right now while you are reading this: imagine yourself in a victim’s position, with the assailant at the end of your gun. Now say, out loud, “Don’t move!” It might feel a bit silly, and sound a little weak. Take a deeper breath, and say it again, louder and more firmly, “DON’T MOVE!” Did it come out better that time?

If you make this part of your practice sessions, you will find that it gets louder and better, and you become more confident that you’d be able to say those simple words even under the incredible stress of an armed encounter.

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If every person who was “afraid” could shoot with impunity anyone who frightened them, the world would indeed be a terrible place for us all, as timid folk would constantly gun down anybody who looked at them the wrong way.

If you are going to take the extreme option of owning and carrying a gun, it is imperative that you obtain very intensive training so you know how to shoot the gun in a variety of situations.  You should also be prepared to shoot if you have to draw the gun.  A display of confidence and know-how must be present when you are carrying a weapon.

Be advised that in most states, carrying a concealed weapon is a crime.  Above everything else, be sure you have a Firearm Owner’s Identification card (FOID card).  The fee for applying is small ($5 or so) and it shows that you have had a background check and are eligible to, at the very least, own a firearm.

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The very best way to figure out what kind of gun is right for you is to go to a club or take a course where you have the opportunity to shoot several different types and sizes of guns, so that you can learn about their differences, what they feel like to shoot, how easily you are able to handle them, and how accurate you are with them. Pinpoint accuracy isn’t necessary for self-defense, but the better you can shoot in class the more confidence you will have in your ability to shoot under stress.

Most gun magazines run frequent articles on the selection of a self-defense gun and reviews of individual firearms. Note that not all articles may be completely objective, so get advice from several sources.

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Personally, I don’t like guns. But with proper training and handling, guns are one of the more effective ways of defending yourself and intimidating your attacker.

The key to having and being able to use a firearm lies in your training.  There are several different kinds of firearms training. There is basic safety and marksmanship training that everyone who has a gun needs, and there is more specialized defensive firearms training that is specifically for those who have guns for self-protection as opposed to hunting, or sports.

For basic safety and marksmanship, you can usually find good training quite locally. Regardless of what you might think of the NRA, they have created excellent introductory courses. You don’t have to join the NRA to take these courses.

Two courses that are quite good in theory are Home Firearm Safety, and Basic Pistol. Whether the courses are actually good in practice depends on who teaches them. You can ask the NRA for a list of certified instructors in your area, and try to pick out a woman if that would make you more comfortable, or you can go to a couple of local gun shops and ask what instructors they recommend, or you can call local firearms stores and gun clubs to ask whether they offer instruction.

For defensive firearms training, it is wise to be very, very selective. There are a number of excellent, private gun schools around the country. Additionally, there is a list of gun schools that appears from time to time on the Internet. I cannot recommend one over another.  What I can do is recommend that you do your research and choose a school that fits your needs and comfort level.

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In most states, pepper spray is legal to purchase.  You can probably find it at hardware stores or firearm retail outlets.  The likelihood of you finding it at Wal-Mart, however, is slim.

Please do understand that the effective use of pepper spray depends on a variety of factors.  Police officers do use pepper spray, but they have had training on how to use it correctly.  Factors that influence its effectiveness include the proximity of the attacker versus you, how much spray you deploy, and where you deploy it at.  For maximum effectiveness, it must be sprayed in the eyes.

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Pepper spray is a natural derivative of hot peppers. The essence is extracted, combined with a carrier and propellant, and put into a spray canister. When it is sprayed into the eyes and face on an attacker, it is extremely painful, but it does not rely on pain for its effectiveness. Pepper spray causes physical effects even in people who are “feeling no pain” such as drug users or drunk individuals.

Pepper spray makes the eyelids slam shut or spasm, causing hampered vision or even temporary blindness. When even a small amount is inhaled, it constricts the bronchial tubes, causing extreme choking and coughing, though it does not cut off breathing. It is usually effective on most people and animals, including the mentally ill and those under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Pepper spray comes in various concentrations, and various degrees of heat. If you’re going to get pepper spray, you should purchase a product which has an SHU rating of 1 to 2 million or more.

A 1% to 5% concentration is the best range. Sometimes concentrations higher than 5% do not atomize well, and are therefore less effective; also, they lengthen the recovery time beyond the usual 45 minutes or so, and there is no advantage to that in personal defensive situations.

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Based on manufacturers’ and dealers’ claims, one would think that these devices are remarkably powerful defensive tools, which unfailingly stop assaults. Reality, however, sometimes falls short of the marketing hype.

Studies show that in actuality the application of a stun gun, while temporarily immobilizing an assailant, doesn’t take immediate effect.  This allows the attacker an unbelievable time to pull and shoot a gun or cause damage to the victim.

The stun gun will hurt, but as far as completely immobilizing an attacker, it falls short.  To be effective, the stun gun, a contact weapon, must be held in contact with the assailant for a number of seconds, or he must voluntarily break off the attack.

Various stun gun manufacturers are coming out with new units with ever increasing claimed voltage. They still suffer from the traditional downsides, the principal of which is the necessity of having to hold the unit in contact with your assailant for as much as 5 or 6 seconds, during which time he will not exactly be cooperative. Other factors include battery strength, voltage, and the fact that you must be close to your attacker.

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Tasers (also battery-powered) propel two metal barbs over a distance of several yards. These barbs, connected to the hand-held unit by wires, are intended to attach themselves to the attacker. These wires are then electrified to incapacitate the assailant at a distance.

These devices stop attackers by pain, rapid fatigue of their muscles, and/or overriding the body’s neuromuscular system and disrupting voluntary muscle control.

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You have access to many everyday objects that can be used in a pinch with devastating effectiveness.

There are many advantages to using everyday objects as weapons.

They are easily accessible. This is important when most attacks are completed in seconds.

Everyday objects are non-threatening. The attacker is more likely to be caught off-guard by your use of a ballpoint pen as opposed to a knife.

If you are not comfortable with carrying and using more traditional weapons such as pepper spray or a gun, you probably would not think twice about carrying a couple ounces of cologne in a spray vial.

Unlike guns, no laws restrict your ability to carry a ballpoint pen or keys.

As any prison guard will tell you, with creativity and imagination nearly everything can be turned into a weapon.

In the event of attack, you want something you can use quickly and effectively.

Since you will not have time to rummage through your pocketbook, make it a practice to hold something in your hand that you can use to defend yourself.

Other everyday objects that can be effectively used as weapons defense include spray perfume or cologne.

Perfume or cologne in a spray vial can be used like pepper spray. Aim it at your attacker’s eyes. Then use the precious seconds to run.

Hot liquids thrown at your attacker’s face such as coffee and tea are effective, too.

Keys can be used to scratch a face, poke out an eye or stuffed into the soft tissue of his throat.

Throwing a coin away from you will distract your attacker for the few seconds you need for escape.

Lastly, a ballpoint pen can be jammed into his throat, groin, or eyes with devastating impact.

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