“We are a nation of laws,” exclaimed numerous politicians who were also former lawyers. God forbid if they were defense attorneys before taking political office. Each state has a series of criminal and vehicle codes that number hundreds, if not thousands, of pages. And each code specifies the type of sanction imposed on the offender.
However, crime continues to rise plus violent crime, contrary to what government officials boast. What could be the explanation of this disease? Liberal judges imposing light sentences and fines on the convicted in their vague interpretation of the “spirit of the law”? The disintegration of the traditional family structure in society? Or has the American justice system eroded to such an extent that it has become ineffective? The answer lies partly in the form 3 questions.
Also, the laws are hardly enforced, locally, statewide, and nationwide! Repeat offenders are being dismissed “in the interest of justice” or on minor technicalities in cities and counties. Criminals with violent and sophisticated criminal histories who are incarcerated in state prisons are being released early so that governors can haphazardly try to reduce their budget deficits.
Illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America cross the border while presidential administrations make no effort to seal our northern and southern borders. In fact, the Mexican military has infiltrated US soil some 100 times a year to aid and abet human and drug traffickers. They often exchange gunfire with Border Patrol agents. In such firefights, these brave law enforcement officers are always outnumbered and outgunned. How humiliating for the only so-called superpower left in this world! Of course, such news is being suppressed by the mainstream media.
With such lawlessness with the help of the government at all levels, what is a law abiding citizen to do? How can a person protect themselves and their loved ones from violent crime? The answer is surveillance, a one-word concept that transforms a person from being the victim of a violent crime to being almost immune to it. (Note that I am using the masculine pronoun to include the feminine gender to eliminate redundancy.)
One of the words of wisdom in martial arts states that “the body follows the mind.” The fundamental question one initially asks is, “How can I defend myself and my loved ones against violent crime?” To know the question is first to understand the question. That is, how does someone become prey to the criminal element? What makes someone susceptible to being victimized? All questions can be researched in books, articles and the Internet.
Understanding how the criminal mind works is the first step in countering its evil deeds. Second, how are such threats thwarted based on one’s ability? Some people turn to martial arts, weapons, or both. However, these methods are useless without competition. However, competition without the proper mindset to apply skills against a perpetrator or a group of perpetrators once confronted is again futile and dangerous.
For example, if you have become proficient in combative arts like Krav Maga but are not mentally and psychologically prepared to apply your techniques effectively against a criminal, you have spent a lot of time and effort in vain. The same goes for bladed and impact weapons, pepper spray, stun guns, Tasers, or firearms. If you are unprepared and unwilling to use any of these to good effect against an actual criminal, your survivability against an attack compared to being a helpless victim is greatly diminished.
Choosing a martial art can be a daunting task as there are so many styles available to the public today. Choose the ones that suit your complexion, that complement and enhance your skills. Also, decide on a COMBATIVE art such as Aikijujutsu, Ninpo or Ninjutsu, Escrima, Kali, Arnis, Penkjat Silat, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Kung Fu or any of its variants and Krav Maga .
These types of martial arts contain effective techniques to neutralize, disarm, paralyze, and even kill your opponent or opponents. Additionally, some styles use sticks and knives in their training. Aikido, on the other hand, is probably considered the most gentle and graceful of all the arts. His training actually breaks the practitioner’s ego. However, in the hands of an expert, Aikido is a deceptively effective art for neutralizing an attack. The only downside to this martial art is that it takes more time and effort to learn the techniques proficiently.
However, being able to freely choose and carry a weapon or set of weapons is limited by the laws of your city, county, and state. In the liberal and politically correct state of California, for example, carrying a baton, ASP, or martial arts stick in public is considered a felony. Similarly, carrying a butterfly knife, dagger, or switchblade carries the same offense.
A Kubotan on your person, on the other hand, is legal in most places. I have written an article on this subtle weapon in “article marketing” titled “Kubotan: Tiny and Subtle but Packs a Big Impact”. God forbid if you are caught hiding a weapon in the Golden State unless you are a peace officer or have a concealed weapons permit. If you’re lucky enough to live in a state where you can legally carry virtually any type of weapon, you’ve multiplied your defense capabilities enormously.
Criminals, in their twisted perception, are not bound by rules or restrictions to carry any weapon or weapons of their choosing. So why should you defend yourself? An equal or greater application of force is necessary to protect you and your family. The application of mini-staffs, sticks and knives is taught correctly in Escrima, Arnis, Kali, Silat, JKD and Krav Maga. In short, the techniques are staggeringly paralyzing and deadly. Weapon retention and removal are taught in Krav Maga. To be complete, your weapon arsenal must include COMBAT shooting proficiency, not DAILY shooting. Today, many bad guys use guns to commit their crimes, let alone team up to increase their chances of success.
Mastering the combat arts makes you more aware and perceptive of the environment around you. Furthermore, they instill in you the vigilant mentality.