road rage and martial arts

[Ken Keith]

On 12 Feb 2001, at 10:32, Mullen, Shaun wrote:
>
> Funny about that martial arts stuff.  Those of us involved in these
> arts or otherwise well aware of our "powers" tend to be a pretty
> nonconfrontational bunch in my experience.  Nah, not going to let that
> butthead ruin my day. I'll just walk -- or drive -- away from the
> situation.  What better way to defuse it?
> 
> It's the people on the list who brag about driving around with loaded
> guns who worry me.

There's nothing inherently wrong with carrying a loaded sidearm to 
protect one's self and family, provided it's done so safely and 
sensibly.  That's really generalizing.  I typically carry a Para-
Ordnance P10-45, either legally concealed or open hip carry.  This 
is in Arizona, where it's perhaps less demonized and 
misunderstood.  I share this with the list not to brag, but because 
it's information that can be used (by those allowed by their 
governments to do so).  It also provides another perspective to your 
comments.

It's better to have a tool and not need it, than to need a tool and not 
have it.  It's like having a spare tire, jack, and lugwrench.  You don't 
expect to get a flat, but it would be stupid to not to be prepared for 
one, IMO.

I would have to say that people who carry are not unlike those, like 
yourself I assume, that study martial arts.  In that, they are much 
less likely to get involved in a confrontation if they can avoid it, 
since they know the responsiblity of carrying and don't have 
anything to prove to themselves or anyone else.

It's not a macho thing.  There's just not too many things other than 
a firearm that are as effective for personal defense.  Except for not 
being there at all, of course.  My life is deserving of the best 
protection available.

Mandatory Q content:  The first option is always to drive away, and 
my turbo quattro and it's power locks and driver's one-touch-up 
power window is a great tool to do that with.

At the very least, it is reassuring to know that I'm not totally at the 
mercy of the wireless phone system, law enforcement response 
time, and criminal intent.  You can't always drive away.

Later,

Ken in (still) free Arizona