Gun owners all across the country rely on their firearms to keep them safe in a sticky situation, but some self-defense situations are more difficult to manage than others. Will you know what to do when your life is on the line?
Check out these three common self-defense scenarios and key suggestions to keep you safe:
1. Home Invasion
A home invasion is every homeowner's worst nightmare. In this situation, having the right tools and training to defend yourself and your family is vital. When dealing with a home invasion, there are a few things you will want to remember:
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Distance
As with every self-defense situation, the best way to protect yourself from those who would do you harm is to put as much distance between them and yourself as possible. In a home invasion situation, this could mean leaving the house entirely or, if that's not an option, barricading yourself in a different part of the house, away from the intruder. -
Communication
Having a firearm for self-defense is a great first step to take in defending your home, but—if you are able to safely contact the police—it's important to do so as soon as possible. Bringing in backup will help ensure you make it out alive. Remember, it is their full time job to protect and serve. -
Preparation & Response
Should the situation require that you use your firearm for self defense, it is important to be prepared to respond to a would-be intruder. Practice your response by thinking about what you would do if someone broke into your home. Where would you barricade yourself? Where might they be in relation to that barricade? Once you know the types of distances you may be dealing with, you can head to the range to practice shooting at that distance.
2. One vs. Many
There's a reason so many people conceal—you can never know when or how you may need to defend yourself. In situations where there are multiple attackers, it may be difficult to know what to do unless you've prepared beforehand. Check out this great video from Tactical Rifleman on how to defend yourself in close combat and group attacks:
3. The Gun Grabber
A concealed carry permit is a great responsibility, and some assailants may try to take your gun to turn the tables in their favor. The best way to make sure that your sidearm stays in your possession is to practice "weapon retention" techniques. These techniques help you maintain the upper hand when your life is on the line. This article from Real World Survivor has some great techniques to help keep you in control.
Read: Step-By-Step Weapon Retention Techniques To Beat A Gun Grab
The topic of self-defense can be daunting, but it's important to always be prepared for a dangerous situation—especially if you've taken the responsibility to concealed carry. By preparing for these relatively common self-defense scenarios, you'll put yourself a step ahead of your attacker.
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