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Three Rules to Use of Force in Self Protection

Author: Andrew Curtiss
Date Posted: March 05, 2009

Defining the situation

When it comes to use of force there are typically two schools. One school of thought is derived from each individual's capabilities and moral views. The other school of thought is based on the legal system. Personally I would love to tell you that you should stomp the skull of every scum bag, would be thug into the ground; that would ever confront you. Unfortunately, this advice would surely lead you into incarceration and lots of other "fun" trouble with the legal beuraucracy we have in America and many other great nations as well.

Therefore, this article will be focused on keeping you in the good graces of our wonderful legal system, in those special times where you may find your self in a self protection predicament. Situational Awareness and knowing your operational environment are two of the best tools that one can have in their kit when it comes to protecting your self. Having a good understanding of your environment and awareness of the situation are imperative in defining the situation. Constant assessment of the situation is necessary, because of the ever changing fluidity of any situation.

It is the ability to assess and process the information taken from the situation and environment that enable one to decide the amount of force necessary to avoid being a victim. Unfortunately our legal system in America only allows you to use just enough force to stop the bad guy from hurting or killing you. The term that the system often refers to is protecting one's self in fear of their own life.

Were you in fear for your own life or the the life of a loved one?

Get this down! "I was in fear of my life and the life of my loved ones." This saying is the key. The key to keeping your self out of legal trouble in the event that you totally wreck some dirt bag because he or she was trying to attack you or your family is by justifying that the amount of force you used was in proportion to the threat. Being in fear of one's life in most cases does justify the use of deadly force. Being in fear for the life of an innocent and defenseless loved one adds to your justification.

Unfortunately in western society it is simply not justification enough that some one attacked you or threatened you; for you to put the "hurt" on them. You must be in fear of your life or the life of a loved one. Being in fear of your life or the life of a loved one is almost an all access pass to use any amount of deadly force. This must also be the reason that you tell the Law Enforcement officer, who is surely soon to arrive after you crush the scum bag's skull. It is important that you tell them this and nothing else; no details. Any further questioning, and it will be necessary to have an attorney present.

Did you stay in control?

Control is very important. You must control these three aspects in the event you find yourself using "Porportionate Force."

1. Self

2. Enemy

3. Situation

Control of your self - Should you find yourself unable to avoid a physical confrontation and using "porportionate force"; you must refrain from flagrant verbal outbursts that often spew from our mouths in the heat of the moment. You must instead attempt to turn the situation on your attacker. For example instead of "Kung Fu Cat calls" and cussing; try yelling ,"STOP!", "Help!", "LEAVE ME ALONE!". As strange as this sounds anyone who is a by stander will see you as a victim fighting off a thug and not the aggressor. In the event that you get them on the ground and are stomping them into infinity you should yell, "Stay down!"

This helps you get justification for destroying this piece of trash who assaulted you, by making it appear as if you had the situation in control and the enemy continued to be confrontational. Your terminology makes it look as though you had no other choice than to keep stomping them down. When you explain to the officer that you were simply "in fear of your life and that of your loved one", everything will mesh. Stay in control if the enemy stops breathing or appears unconscious. kick them in the groin just to verify and immediately leave the scene or approach the nearest by stander for assistance. This gives you a credible witness for your side.

Controling the enemy - This is simple; you must do what ever it takes to neutralize them and make them in effective. Controlling the enemy is done by physically protecting yourself. Theer are many ways in which you can accomplish this. The use of Pepper spray , Stun guns, knives, ASP Baton, Hands and feet or even a gun are all great ways to control your local neighborhood scum bag.

Controling the situation - By use of situational awareness, proper terminology, self control and control of your assailant, you will find that you also control the situation. When the local authorities arrive on scene and find that you were "in fear of losing your life and the lives of your loved ones", by a stark raving lunatic and that you were in control of the situation by calling for help while protecting yourself, directing the assailant to stay on the ground and then verifying that the attacker was indeed unconscious and not baiting you, by kicking him in the groin and then physically approaching the nearest by stander for help. They will know that you were in complete control and will report that you are a credible and competent individual who used "proportionate force" to diffuse the situation.

Summary

Although when you find yourself in a bind and having to use force to protect yourself; there is no right or wrong way to survive; as long as you do survive. This article was meant to give a little insight to how to justify your actions in a legal stand point. Having been through many fights, squabbles and confrontations; I can tell you from experience that in the end the legal repercussions are far scarier than any fight.

There have been many cases where those who should have been justified in using deadly force have been prosecuted and convicted by our corrupt and unjust legal system, simply over the wrong and improper use of terminology. Fortunately for me I have never been convicted of any thing related to violence or self protection. I was fortunate enough to learn proper terminology from one of my teachers, who is a Law Enforcement Officer. I hope that some of my experiences and the knowledge that has been shared with me may help you should you ever find yourself in this type of predicament.

About The Author

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Also see Fighting Secrets of Martial arts Masters by Charles Prosper!

Andrew Curtiss is an Army veteran of 11 years. He is author of Combat Application Techniques: Principles Of Destruction (book on Knife and Hand to Hand Combat). Andrew is the former 1995 American Independent Karate Association Men's black belt champion in Kata, Sparring and Weapons. Andrew holds a 2nd dgree black belt in Tae Kwan Do and Shurite Kenpo Karate. He is a former kickboxer and current professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of articles on self-defense.

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