Police: Slain Baby, Mom Victims of Random Crime

[slackmaster]

121. By being aware of your surroundings, you are actively reducing your likelihood of becoming a victim

My tax accountant used to work for a business that took in a lot of cash in a rough area - National City, CA. He had to make daily bank deposits, walking several blocks with cash and checks.

He got robbed once. So he applied for a concealed firearms permit for a weapon he already owned, and got the state-mandated training. He got his permit, and applied the lessons of situational awareness and how to behave in rough neighborhoods.

He never got hassled by street punks again. His body language telegraphed that he would not make a good choice as a victim.

One thing he learned was that a typical street criminal with a gun barely knows how to operate his weapon. My accountant learned to quickly draw and fire from concealment - Statistically faster than an untrained person is likely to be able to get a shot off even if he already has his weapon drawn.

A 17-year-old with a gun pointed at you is probably scared shitless, and even if he does manage to shoot you your chance of surviving is about 95% if you are able to get to medical care quickly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/nyregion/03shot.html?_r=0