There is a cost to using violence to solve problems – sometimes that cost is worth paying – but you need to be informed so that you are able to make those split second decisions under stress.
On Killing is more about the general public as a whole than on combat. I learned more about the tools I might use during and after a deadly force incident in On Combat, but I learned more about society in On Killing. Personally I felt that On Combat was a better book, like I thought Steven Hunter’s Point of Impact was better than his book Black Light – but both were well worth the read and I am glad I own then both.
This can be a difficult read if you have issues with interpersonal conflict being resolved with lethal force. The entire book is devoted to the concept of killing and its impact on the human mind – with a special emphasis on how to make our sheepdogs better at it so they can protect us (society) from the wolves.
I used to be one of those guys that didn’t really like Glocks – of course to be fair – I really am a revolver guy at heart… BUT once I bought one and began shooting it, I realized that a Glock is a wonderful utilitarian tool. It is dead on reliable. Additionally, a Glock’s accuracy exceeds the abilities of the majority of users. Furthermore it is rather inexpensive for a major firearm brand.
Owning guns isn’t enough – you need to be skillful in their use. If one of the reasons you own a gun is because of your concern that you may need them in a grid down type of disaster, then you might also need to fix them.
