a question knock me down

[bangkaliliang]

one of my friend asked me a silly question but i feel i cant answer the question at all, could anyone give some comment here? the comments are highly appreciated

"why learning martial arts? a bullet can take away the life within seconds" this is the question he asked and i have no idea how to answer at all.

[BDPulver]

Whenever I am asked this I usually come up with several responses which pretty much quiets anyone down.

1. I'm learning MA for myself, discipline, control, better understanding of people, self preservation... and so on. In that, when I was younger I had a bad temper. Mom use to blame it on the germany and american indian in me.

2. Yes its true a bullet can end the fight but show me right now on the streets how many people do you see carrying a gun?? This one always gets people cause you dont know. With that, MA can help in tight situations, to help you think 3 steps ahead so you can avoid a confrontation.

3. When teaching I usually tell my students there are 3 types of people if they possess a gun. first are drug crazed or sycopaths ( I still have not found a better word for them). In that, most of the time they will not think twice before they pull the trigger.

the second are ones that are using it to scare you. Muggings, robbery etc. If the gun goes off they will sometimes admit it was accident or unintentional and will deal with the outcome.

the third are well, kids in a matter of speaking. Not all kids feel this way but some actually feel like there a god with that kinda of power. Most times they wont think twice about pulling the trigger and so on.

So when I bring up those 3 they ask what do you do. I simply tell them to stay calm, listen to what they want and try to talk as much as you can to calm them down if possible. SOmetimes they just want your money, other times they dont know.

So when I am asked that question those are the responses I come up. Of course alot of times I crack a joke in there by saying I saw bruce do it so i can. But most times I tell them where's the gun and they start getting all defensive but they know I am being serious.

There's really no wrong or right to it but you have to know how to respond the question quick to keep others asking, hey he might know something more then I do.

[tallgeese]

It's about as much preperation as possible for as many possible conflicts as you can account for.

Sure, firearms are pretty much top dog for killing in an interpersonel sense. And they are difficult to defend agaisnt. Still, unarmed skill can increase you're chances of survival, even when one's involved if you're practicing proper responses.

That being said (not trying to turn this into a gun defense thread), there is a good likelyhood that you will be attacked by someone WITHOUT a firearm as well. In this, ma's can certainly prepare you for. Again, if practiced properly.

Again, preperation for as many scenarios as possible.

[The BB of C]

one of my friend asked me a silly question but i feel i cant answer the question at all, could anyone give some comment here? the comments are highly appreciated

"why learning martial arts? a bullet can take away the life within seconds" this is the question he asked and i have no idea how to answer at all.

I always respond "It's possible to move out of the way of that bullet and it is possible to take guns away from people."

[ps1]

1. Their arguement assumes that every attacker and every defender will have a gun. This is simply not the case. In most cases you have to have a permit to carry a gun. Or you've paid money to purchase it and carry it illegally. By far, most crimes do not involve a gun.

2. Anyone who wants to kill you will do so. Period. I realize that's a little morbid and I'm sorry for that. But If so and so wants you dead...He probably has more than enough opportunities to do it. No one can train for that ever.

3. Ask them how many times they've been shot. Ask them if they knew that getting shot does not mean you die. Actually, most gun shot victims live. That's why you see so many purple heart license plates on the road. So, even after getting shot, you can still fight for your life.

4. Lastly, I don't train for self defense anymore. I train because I love it. Some people go to the gym, others knit, still others join charitable orginizations. I train martial arts. I still apply self defense aspects to my training, but that's simply a leftover from being in the military. It's not the purpose for training.

None of this really helps you though. You still need to answer for yourself. Why do you train martial arts?

[humble monk]

I've never been asked to leave my hands at the airport. I've never been arrested for feet possesion. I've never had to buy bullets for my elbows.

Following the friends train of thought, the arts never would have been born, because swords existed. And yet somebody felt compelled to create the systems in spite of swords.

Self defense is not the only facet of the arts.

[bushido_man96]

When they ask, ask if they have a gun on them. Most times, they won't.

There are a lot of good answers here. Many good explanations. Learning MAs are great for learning to understand body movement and mechanics, which can always come in handy. There are many layers of defense, and unarmed is one of them.

[humble monk]

I think it's important to note that handguns have a less than stellar success rate of killing targets, which is why people prefer (on the whole) shotguns for home defense. And let's face it, the fireballs we learn to throw at 5th gup are more powerful than shotguns.

[Ozpunker]

You could have taken the less honorable approach.... Preform a quick foot sweep or get him into a wrist lock and ask him where your gun was.

[bushido_man96]

You could have taken the less honorable approach.... Preform a quick foot sweep or get him into a wrist lock and ask him where your gun was.

Sometimes, that is the only way to win the arguement about this question.