Are we too paranoid?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I've only been on this and a couple of other forums for a few months, but I've seen this sort of reply on many threads, and to tell you the truth, it scares the hell out of me!!!

 

I see so many people on these forums recommending and suggesting to people to carry knives and guns for protection. I've also heard this quote so many times, that I find it a very disturbing attitude..."It's better to be judged by twelve, than carried by 6".

 

Are we becoming such a paranoid society, that we, as trainers and practioners of the martial arts, feel that that training isn't sufficient to protect ourselves and our loved ones, that we have to carry a weapon with us at all times, just in case we need it?

 

I live in Montana, where nearly every vehicle has a gun in it no doubt, and probably 95% of the homes have a small aresenal in them. yet with all this firepower within easy access, I don't know one person here (and I know a LOT of people) that carrys anything more dangerous than a small folding pocket knife, or a Leatherman type tool on their person.

 

Are we safer here and less threatened than elsewhere in this country? Possibly, but we still have murders every year, and there is currently at least one, possibly two serial rapists at large in this area.

 

Homes get broken into, cars are stolen or vandalized, and this area is one of the largest meth producers in the NorthWestern USA.

 

So yes, I'd say that this area is a fair cross section of the country, if not for the forementioned points, but for the fact that large numbers of people from California, New York, Texas, etc move up here either permanently, or seasonally. We also get literally millions of tourists up here every year, mainly from the US, but also from around the world.

 

But do we personally arm ourselves every time we walk out of our doors?

 

No...nor do I recommend people doing so, because a person carrying a knife of gun is more likely to pull that weapon out and use it.

 

Late at night, as you're walking home a man comes out of the shadows and demands your wallet/purse. He is displaying a knife or gun in plain sight. What do you do?

 

I've seen some people on some forums recommend taking your gun out and shooting the guy!

 

People, the way I look at it is this way. Ask yourself..."What is the MOST amount of money that I have ever had in my wallet/purse at any time in my life?" $500? $1,000? 5,000???

 

Whatever the amount, counting credit cards if you want....is your life worth that much?

 

Do you put a dollar amount on what your life is worth? Isn't it easier just to give the thief your wallet, report it stolen to the police, cancel your credit cards, replace those cute pictures of your children, and get on with your life?

 

OK. I know there's going to be a ton of "what if'ers" replying to this, and sure, what if the guy says "I'm going to kill you." If the guy already has his gun out, you'd better be the quick draw champion of the world if you think you can pull yours out faster than he can pull his trigger.

 

Personally, I think people are watching WAY to much TV and movies, and are getting WAY to paranoid about being attacked and being killed by an attacker with a weapon. Sure, it happens and we see it in the news..but how often?

 

How many of you can personally, and honestly say, that they have been attacked by a weapon toting person, and literally was afraid for their life?

 

I do, however, carry weapons with me every moment of my life. They are my wits, my knowledge, my awareness, and my skills as a martial artist. I know what to watch out for, and what to avoid. I know what danger signals are, and how to deal with them. Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing as martial artists? Isn't that what it's all about?

 

Unless you're Superman, no person on this planet is perfectly safe, and never will be. But if we promote the carrying of weapons on this and other forums, especially to our youth, then aren't we spreading paranoia and fear?

 

Just my 2 cents worth.

[tommarker]

No...nor do I recommend people doing so, because a person carrying a knife of gun is more likely to pull that weapon out and use it.

 

How many people have you killed with your barehands in your lifetime? After all, you've been studying karate about as long as I've been alive. You've honed those skills so much it would seem that you're very likely just to want to punch someone who commits even the slightest offense to your person.

[gheinisch]

Yes, I believe we do live in a paranoid society where people think that everyone is out to get them or take what they have worked for. This can be easily believed if one watches the evening news. People killing, robbing, scamming and violent protests everywhere, the list is endless. We used to have a show years ago that was called "Good News" that focused on heart warming stories and all the good that still exists in the world. We need to bring those shows back.

 

Now does owning a gun make you safer. I'm sure there can be arguments either way. I personally do not have a gun in my house. I live here in Georgia and was brought up in the country where I hunted. I do own guns but my brother has them at his house because he is still an avid hunter. There is a city here in Georgia called Kennesaw that requires that all citizens own a gun. It's mandatory! This law went into effect in 1982 and they have stats that show crime has decreased by 75%.

 

My feelings are if you're answer to a confrontation is going to be pulling a gun or knife on someone then why be a Martial Artist. I would hope my training would help me avoid any confrontations and if not I would be able to defend myself and neutralize the situation as quickly as possible. Lets not forget that the arts teaches you an attitude and posture to walk and talk with confidence that makes you a less likely target. Doesn't make you a "Superman", but does give you confidence. At least it has me! IMHO

 

Good Topic Sensei, I wish there was an easy answer!

[Shorinryu Sensei]

How many people have you killed with your barehands in your lifetime? After all, you've been studying karate about as long as I've been alive. You've honed those skills so much it would seem that you're very likely just to want to punch someone who commits even the slightest offense to your person.

 

I'd like some feedback from others on this, but speaking for myself and my experiences, I've found that people in general, the longer that they are involved in the arts, are the ones that are LEAST likely to get involved in fights if there is no other alternative.

 

As for how many I have killed with my bare hands? None so far, nor with guns, knives, automobiles or anything else.

 

Have I been in real fights? Yes. None that I started myself, verbally or physically. The worst was when I put a guy in the hospital with a broken nose, cheekbone, two broken teeth and a mild concussion.

 

Saying that having self-defense skills makes me prone to using them is a concept held by many people not involved in the arts. We're often perceived as "modern day gunslingers" just looking for a fight to use our skills. That's total * for the majority of martial artists out there.

 

Yes, thereare always those that will prove me wrong, and those are the ones that you hear aboyut..."Joe Blackbelt goes out ot the bar and kicks butts every weekend..what a bunch of karate bullies!" Hey, it happens, and that Joe Blackbelt gives all of us "good" martial artist a bad rep.

[stl_karateka]

There is a city here in Georgia called Kennesaw that requires that all citizens own a gun. It's mandatory! This law went into effect in 1982 and they have stats that show crime has decreased by 75%.

 

I don't know what is more shocking ----

 

- the fact that such a law is MANDATORY

 

- or the fact that crime actually went down by 75%

 

I'd be interested in the number of accidental shootings -- do you know what the statistic is on that?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I don't know what is more shocking ----

 

- the fact that such a law is MANDATORY

 

- or the fact that crime actually went down by 75%

 

Agreed! Looking at the responses on forums from non-American people, it appears that many of them see the USA as a very violent, gun-toting society of street gangs running rampant (thanks Hollywood), terrorists everywhere, our own government out ot get us, and people getting killed all the time just down the street!

[ninjanurse]

I do, however, carry weapons with me every moment of my life. They are my wits, my knowledge, my awareness, and my skills as a martial artist. I know what to watch out for, and what to avoid. I know what danger signals are, and how to deal with them. Isn't that what we're supposed to be doing as martial artists? Isn't that what it's all about?

 

Yes it is!!!!

 

[gheinisch]

Hello stl_karateka,

 

A little more information. In 1982 Kennesaw responded to a law passed in Morton Grove Ill. in 1981 that outlawed gun ownership. Since that time both have had a decrease in crime but the percentage in Kennesaw is higher. Here's a snipet from an article.

 

"Kennesaw has the lowest crime rate of any similar-sized size in the country. In 1982 the Kennesaw city council unanimously passed a law requiring heads of households to possess a firearm to protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Some said there would be shootings in the streets and violence in the homes. But that wasn't the case.

 

Since the ordinance became law, crime has declined 89 percent in Kennesaw while only declining 10 percent statewide. According to Robert Jones, president of the Kennesaw Historical Society, after it initially dropped, it has stayed at the same low level for the past 16 years."

 

I thought when the law was passed the guns would be a blazing but the opposite happened. The bad guys knew that Grandma was packing and decided to move on?

 

Who knows, I still don't believe that guns are the answer.

[shotokanwarrior]

shorinryu sensei sounds a bit paranoid.... Where I live every gang member on the corner has a gun, so am I a paranoid freak to have one to? I dont think so just prepared.

[ZR440]

I think you will find that the wide majority of people who have permits to carry handguns are very responsible people and probably don't even carry them that often. Myself included. Those who are granted permits are aware of the consequences of even brandishing a weapon if not threatened. There will always be idiots who abuse their right to carry, but most law breakers will be those who don't have the permit in the first place.