Far Beyond Defensive Tactics is one of the best defensive tactics books on the market.
I have read, reread, dog-eared, and written in the margins of this book – then went out and bought a new copy just in case.
I have personally used several of the concepts in this book in real life encounters within the walls of state prisons when I worked maximum security after I got out of the Marines.
The information on how to get a combative drunk out from behind the wheel of his car was a story I adapted and used inside the prison to deal with inmates that took over their pie flap (A pis flap is a small fole in the middle of the door that is created to pass items like food trays without opening the door)
His information on keeping cool and controlling the situation – basically not letting the bad guy goad you into bad decisions is also something I use quite often in real life.
Christensen is a thinking man’s warrior, and if you judge a man by those around him, he has collaborated with Lt. Col Grossman and Gaven de Becker.
This book should be in the library of anyone concerned about use of force.
Defensive mindset is the key to preparedness, all the gear and training in the world won’t help you if YOU won’t help you.
In my experience, there are three basic kinds of people. Wolves (a.k.a. the bad guys) are the first kind. They are the human predators, the ones that prey on the weak. The Sheeple (sheep + people) are individuals that believe it is society’s duty to protect them. These people blindly submit, even if it means death because they cannot bring themselves to use force.
The third type of person is the Shepherd. Shepherds are those people who are strong and alert. They can protect themselves. Shepherds protect the weak because it is right and because they care. Police, Firemen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines are shepherds, but they are not the only ones. You don’t have to be one of those ready professionals in order to be a shepherd. Protecting your own family is enough. You don’t even have to carry a gun to be one; just stepping up and doing what needs to be done is all it takes. A shepherd knows that all wolves understand is force, and against someone like that sometimes force needs to be applied.
Force should never be used lightly. It is the province of serious individuals. People who use force must make sure that what they are doing is justified. Your mental state should be that while it is not desirable to hurt or kill another human, anyone that uses force to get you to submit to their will has probably done it before and will probably do it again. Is it better to do what a wolf wants and risk death simply because he wants no witnesses, or risk death and fight back? That is a decision only you can make based on the situation. Think about this, what good is it to submit to violence if the aggressor commits a similar crime next week to someone else?
The FBI’s uniform crime statistics suggests that there is a connection between submitting to the will of a criminal to avoid injury and being injured. However, before you decide to resist, you must seriously consider all available options. If all the criminal wants is something you can buy, borrow, or replace, then just give it to him. It is not worth your safety to fight over the twenty bucks in your wallet. If he wants to force you or a loved one to go with him, or if you truly believe he has another motive besides theft, then fight. You have to! Ask yourself is it better to be shot in a parking lot where people can get you medical attention, or to be found six months later in a shallow grave because you submitted to a kidnapers demand?
Remember it is not just yourself that you are protecting. On a practical level, you need to be alive for your loved ones. Your family needs you. If you are not there, who will be there for your family? On a larger level, in the equation between you and some criminal scumbag, the world is better served by you, not them, surviving the encounter.
Above all, you must never give up. You will be hurt, and you will probably be alone. Fear is a given, just don’t allow fear to paralyze you. Train hard and remember your training. Studies have shown time and time again that you fight like you train. Visualize different scenarios so that mentally you will be ready to survive and go home to your family. They need you.
For more than 30 years, John S. Farnam has been teaching the latest defensive firearms techniques to police departments, federal and stat agencies as well as foreign governments. Now his classic book, The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, has been fully updated and revised. Whether you are a novice or experienced shooter, you will find valuable insights on the types of defensive handguns and the tactics for using them.
This new edition features fully updated information on the why of defensive shooting including chapters on the legal justification for using lethal force. It contains valuable information about tactics you will use every day to avoid criminal confrontation or to react promptly and effectively if you do encounter a potential criminal.
You will also find vital information on mental toughness and personal tactics that can help you to preserve your own life and the lives of family members when facing an imminent deadly assault. The chapters on handgun operating systems present the variety of handguns currently in use with advantages and disadvantages clearly described. You will also learn about the newest developments in defensive ammunition, and the importance of selecting and testing the right rounds for your handgun.
I respect Farnam’s work – these true old school professionals are a dying breed. I would suggest you read this work and take his classes while you can.
Defensive mindset is the key to preparedness, all the gear and training in the world won’t help you if YOU won’t help you.
For more than 30 years, John S. Farnam has been teaching the latest defensive firearms techniques to police departments, federal and stat agencies as well as foreign governments. Now his classic book, The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, has been fully updated and revised. Whether you are a novice or experienced shooter, you will find valuable insights on the types of defensive handguns and the tactics for using them.