{"id":106,"date":"2022-08-28T21:57:39","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T21:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=106"},"modified":"2022-08-28T21:57:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-28T21:57:39","slug":"cleckner-the-point-of-armed-self-defense-is-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=106","title":{"rendered":"Cleckner: The Point of Armed Self Defense is Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-scaled.jpg\" data-caption=\"Shutterstock\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" class=\"entry-thumb td-modal-image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-696x464.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/shutterstock_2166591449-560x373.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" alt=\"\" title=\"Combat,-,Application,-,Tourniquet,(cat),Generation,7,On,Military\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>By Ryan Cleckner<\/p>\n<p>The goal of a gunfight is not to kill or disable the other person(s), it\u2019s to stop the attack and keep yourself (and anyone else you choose) alive if needed, go back and read that again.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, in order to keep yourself alive and (hopefully) uninjured, you may need to kill or disable an attacker.\u00a0However, the killing or disabling of the \u201cbad guy(s)\u201d is a means to an end \u2013 it\u2019s one method to achieve the ultimate goal of keeping yourself (and anyone else you choose) alive and unharmed. Another method might be running away to safety.<\/p>\n<p>This is an important distinction.<\/p>\n<p>First, it emphasizes the point of self defense; you aren\u2019t trying to kill or disable anyone. You\u2019re trying to defend yourself and others.\u00a0Second, I believe that too many people train for a gunfight by focusing only on offense and not enough about defense.<\/p>\n<p>If I haven\u2019t lost you already\u2026hear me out.<\/p>\n<p>You will have survived and\/or won a gunfight <em>not<\/em> by killing or disabling the \u201cbad guy(s)\u201d but, rather by being alive. Killing the \u201cbad guy\u201d is irrelevant to the outcome. For example, you may have killed the \u201cbad guy(s)\u201d and still not have won the gunfight if you end up dead as well.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, it\u2019s vitally important to train with a firearm. You must know how to use it and use it effectively to defend yourself and others. You should also be training to get to\/fire from as safe a position as possible.<\/p>\n<p>If you were preparing for a football game, would you only focus on offense by only practicing how to score touchdowns? No, you\u2019d practice defense too. You should start thinking about your training the same way.<\/p>\n<p>I encourage you to seek out defensive training. How to defend against a \u201cbad guy\u201d (by running, barricading, etc.). How to prevent the \u201cbad guy\u201d from getting into good position while you\u2019re in a bad one (situational awareness, making good choices, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>But primarily, you should be training to keep yourself and others alive.\u00a0Putting five bullet holes into a bad guy and killing him is likely little consolation if you\u2019re lying there with four bullet holes in your body and bleeding out. Which brings us to first aid.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a quality firearm and ammunition with which you regularly train, that\u2019s great. If you carry it regularly, even better.<\/p>\n<p>Now, do you have first aid supplies or training? Do you own a tourniquet? Gauze? A chest seal?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-504488 size-large\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-700x574.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-768x630.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-626x513.jpg 626w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK.jpg 1100w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-700x574.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-504488 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-700x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-700x574.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-768x630.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK-626x513.jpg 626w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IFAK.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In a situation like the horrific Las Vegas shooting, the vast majority of the injured people didn\u2019t have a firearm. They were listening to music in a designated gun-free zone. Therefore no amount of firearms training or tactical skill would\u2019ve helped. However, a small emergency medical kit and the knowledge how to use it would\u2019ve been priceless.<\/p>\n<p>Even without a kit, some knowledge would have helped. Even a granola bar wrapper makes a fine field-expedient chest seal. A belt can be used as a makeshift tourniquet. In the military, we kept giant safety pins handy. In the absence of a proper airway device, I\u2019d have no complaint if someone safety-pinned my tongue to the side of my cheek to keep me breathing and alive.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, I\u2019m stepping way outside of the bounds of \u201capproved\u201d medical treatment here. However, during a mass casualty situation like the Las Vegas shooting, I couldn\u2019t care less what\u2019s \u201capproved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I spent my time in the military was with 1st Ranger Battalion\/75th Ranger Regiment. When I was in, great effort was made to have an EMT in every functional group. I was a sniper team leader (group of two) and therefore, my unit paid for me to attend civilian training for and become certified as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nremt.org\/rwd\/public\/document\/emt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nationally registered EMT-I<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>During our training, we were constantly reminded what we were allowed to do when we were working in an ambulance or the emergency room of the local hospital vs. what we could do on a battlefield where lawyers aren\u2019t a consideration.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_531263\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-531263\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-531263 size-large\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-700x610.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-768x669.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1536x1338.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-2048x1784.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-150x131.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-696x606.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1068x930.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1920x1673.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-482x420.jpg 482w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-560x488.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-700x610.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-531263 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-700x610.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-700x610.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-768x669.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1536x1338.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-2048x1784.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-150x131.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-696x606.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1068x930.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-1920x1673.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-482x420.jpg 482w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/AP16335000864402-560x488.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-531263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Colby Rowe, a paramedic educational coordinator for Stony Brook University Hospital\u2019s Trauma Center, demonstrates how to apply a tourniquet during a training session for Stony Brook University administrators and security staff, Tuesday in Stony Brook, N.Y. Stony Brook University personnel were given instruction on how to treat gunshot wounds, gashes and other injuries until actual EMTs can get to the scene. (AP Photo\/Michael Balsamo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Unfortunately, we need to treat some situations such as what happened in Las Vegas like a battlefield when it comes to saving lives (see safety pin comment above).\u00a0The only consideration then is to mitigate the damage done with anything and everything at hand.<\/p>\n<p>When some gun owners are asked about home defense with a firearm they turn the tables an ask the questioner if they have a fire extinguisher or a burglar alarm. I\u2019d like to piggyback on that: the next time someone tells me about the firearm they have or the training they\u2019ve completed, I\u2019m going to ask them about the first aid (defensive) training they\u2019ve completed or what tourniquet\/chest seal they have with them.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this gives you something to consider. Practicing for offense is great. However, you win\/survive a gunfight by staying alive, not necessarily by killing the bad guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Ryan Cleckner was a special operations sniper team leader in the US Army\u2019s 1st Ranger Bn (75th) with multiple combat deployments and a sniper instructor. He has a series of basic online instructional videos, he\u2019s the best selling author of the Long Range Shooting Handbook, and he\u2019s a firearms industry executive and attorney at <a href=\"https:\/\/rocketffl.com\/\">RocketFFL.com<\/a> where he helps folks get an FFL and <a href=\"https:\/\/rocketccw.com\/\">RocketCCW.com<\/a> where he qualifies folks for a CCW in over half the country all online.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/cleckner-point-armed-self-defense-defense\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shutterstock Next Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6 By Ryan Cleckner The goal of a gunfight is not to kill or disable the other person(s), it\u2019s to stop the attack and keep yourself (and anyone else you choose) alive if needed, go back and read that again. Yes, in order to keep yourself alive and (hopefully) uninjured, you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-106","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=106"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}