Another Myth Exposed: The Bad Guys DO Practice!
The Reality Of The Criminal Mind…SCARY TRUE!
Recent studies from credible sources have shown that the criminal element is more practiced than ever before. This contradicts the almost universal belief that the bad guys are poor shots, and that is another reason the permit holder/gun owner needs to get further training and instruction! Combat Handguns is a magazine I highly recommend for current information regarding use of firearms by citizens and laws enforcement. Walt Rauch authored an article in the February 2008 edition addressing a recent FBI study and other research into this subject. In his article titled “Never Underestimate a Threat” he cites the FBI’s Violent Encounters #0383 where in it points out that bad guys hit 68% of the time at an average distance of 15 feet! Many other studies show most fights happen at 15 feet or LESS and a number of law enforcement studies show officers miss 87 to 90% of the time in armed confrontations while Citizens tend to hit 2 ½ times more often than “trained” law officers in the same studies.
The FBI study identified the criminals as “trained albeit informally”. Their practice consisted of informal target shooting in their backyards or other places that gunshots were a common. The study states they regularly and informally practiced with their firearms and shot without regard for using the sights. Another study that is on-going has discovered that un-trained shooters aimed for the head at 1-3 yards and for the torso at 5-7 yards, with a high hit probability, often firing three shots in about 1.5 seconds.
Another five year long FBI study revealed more information that we should consider.
In “Cop Attackers and Their Weapons” several things stood out as I studied this document. Highlights include: Officers missed “cues or signs” that suspects were armed,
Armed criminals have more experience using deadly force than their intended victims, the preferred weapon is a handgun, carried mostly in the front/groin area, with small of the back in second place, they start young, practice more often and shot more accurately than police officers, have little hesitation to shoot, they tend to “fire for effect” with the intent to kill you once you go down and have the mind set that they will overwhelm you.
This is a lot to digest, but needs to be considered and pondered. If the bad guy is practiced and determined, should not we be as well and even better? Mind-set is what wins. As my t-shirt from Front Sight says, “Any gun will do if you will do.” John Steinbeck once wrote that the ultimate weapon is the brain, as Col. Jeff Cooper of Gunsite (now deceased), Dennis Tueller, Clint Smith and other recognized instructors have preached for decades. The opposition has the mind set…do you? Have you asked yourself if you are capable of defending yourself and others if evil appears and you must act or die? Some think these are harsh words and “can’t we all just get along?” That is the mindset of a victim or “sheeple” and is a form of denial, ignoring the realities of the world. When the wolf appears, guess who gets eaten first! For the armed citizen, the responsibility is to be prepared if the wolf appears. Why do we carry, if not in recognition of the responsibility to look out for and protect our own? Do you have insurance for your life, car and home? It only is needed once. Do you have a fire extinguisher? I do, and I hope I never have to use it, but better prepared than burned and killed. Why do I carry a self-defense tool and have the training to employ it? In case I ever have to face the wolf. One of my mentors, Dave Wheat, taught hundreds of citizens, members of law enforcement and others the use of defensive tools over a number of years. At his funeral service, one of his long-time friends remarked that Dave had the means and the will and recognized the responsibility he bore, and prayed he would never have to employ that skill. His friend noted in that speech, he never had to. May we also be as fortunate. They are practicing and preparing, we should as well. Until next time, stay safe, stay aware and “check six” often.
Steve Beckstead
Thanks to Mr. Beckstead for his comments.
As I read his post, it occurred to me that it is so much easier to practice shooting at cans and bottles when one doesn’t have to sign-up a week early for range time and spend $.50 per shot on “WalMart” ammo!
I can’t pay for my range time and my ammo by walking into the corner liquor store to get the money I need. So, what can I do?
“Dry firing” is the only answer. To do that effectively, one must search out all of the good teaching available in the “gun” magazines or “on line”. Last night I read an article about muzzle and trigger control. We learn the basics and apply them when we can afford them.
Semper Fi
Nice article. It’s good to see articles based off real studies rather than just from “worlds best street fighter” types… Articles based on properly conducted statistical analysis give us all a much better idea of what happens out there, and from more than just one persons perspective.