One thing that we need to always keep in perspective is what constitutes a “win.” Winning depends upon the context. As private citizens we “win” when we keep ourselves and the people we care about safe. If this is accomplished with avoidance, or deescalation that is every bit as much a win as prevailing through the application of violence.
As private citizens we “win” when we keep ourselves and the people we care about safe.
It is important to recognize that when it comes to fighting we win as soon as the assailant wishes to break off the attack. We don’t have to fight until the assailant is knocked out, or dead but only until he wants to get away from the situation. This is not to say there aren’t situations where the fight isn’t going to end up with the assailant seriously injured or dead, but that is the exception rather than the rule. Most criminal victimizations have a risk/reward balance and by increasing the risk to the criminal the reward just isn’t worth it any more.
We get a number of students that seem to be a little confused on the prerequisite system that we use here at InSights. The reason for our prerequisites is to save everyone’s time. Students that aren’t completely comfortable or efficient at manipulating their gun, or doing reloads in a static environment aren’t going to suddenly get better at it when they now have to do it on the move and/or under time pressure. Progressing too quickly to a more advanced application doesn’t do anyone any favors.
I still try to go through GDH once or twice a year as a student to reevaluate my ability to apply the fundamentals.
I would make the suggestion that struggling through a higher level class isn’t as valuable as mastering a lower level class. If you are the last one to finish shooting in your firing order and your group size is the largest you would probably get more out of repeating the class you are in rather than moving up a level. I personally took general defensive handgun about 6 times before I felt like I was good at all of the material. I still try to go through GDH once or twice a year as a student to reevaluate my ability to apply the fundamentals. Clearly this is a business that makes it’s money teaching classes, but you as the student/customer, the product you are buying is an increase in your abilities rather than a certification or a diploma.