Quote:
Originally Posted by GREENBACK
Kork
I won't neccesarily accuse you of being"medieval" but when Ancient armies discovered projectile weapons, particularly those employing gunpowder, you can guess which side gained a decided advantage.
I think it was stated several posts ago"don't bring a knife to a gunfight". The only thing worse to bring to a gunfight is a stick(baseball bat, club,etc.). If a knife or sword or whatever bladed instrument was most effective the police and the military would be using them instead of the firearms they trust as their primary weapons.
If you're comfortable with a knife then go with it but don't take on someone with a gun unless you're a ninja. Then again, they were defeated by guns too.
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It's a question of range. If you're 5-10m or more away from the person, yea, projectile weapons are easily more effective. I don't know about others, but I don't have wide open spaces like that... I walk out of my room and i'm 10 feet from my front door. In such cases, a knife/blade seems just as effective, and also less dangerous for others who might be around (like in surrounding apartments). Stray bullets can go through walls. A knife, even if thrown, will stop when it hits a wall or the floor. What's more, it is better controlled than a bullet that can be accidentally fired with a single twitch of the finger (whether intentional or otherwise). So in a home-protection situation, I would personally prefer a bat, a blade, or something similar.
But you're right. Against someone wielding a gun, the only thing you can do is be passive. If trained in unarmed combat, you could try to disarm, but again, there are no guarantees there.
BA, do I understand it correctly that if someone breaks into your home, you cannot threaten harm, draw a gun or other weapon, or anything like that unless there is a threat of death to you? That's absurd. To draw a weapon is a threat. When your home is broken into, isn't there an implied right to protect yourself, your family, and your property? The guy is trespassing if nothing else, and threats can be used. Yes, to actually fire or cause physical injury is a different story. Without implied threat of death or grievous harm, even police, military, and federal agents are not allowed to fire. However, in circumstances of ensuring security or safety (as is the case with a break in), weapons may be drawn and threats may be given. And if this is not the case, well, fine. I'll face the consequences when my attacker sues me for threatening him while he's breaking into my home.
As for the psychological element, you're right. It is difficult. However, it's also true that once a person realizes the need for close combat, adrenaline goes crazy and the fight/flight mechanism sets in. You have to either fight to whatever end, or figure out a way to escape. When the latter is not an option, the former will set in. That's human nature. (the other case, a person may freeze up entirely, which really is about as dangerous as doing nothing at all, so it's a wash anyway)