I'm new and I've never before taken up a martial art, but I'm more and more interested. So please excuse my ignorance. Let me tell you a short story that has affected me, and has motivated me to 1) learn SOME type of self-defense, and 2) influence my wife to learn some type of self-defense.

If any of you followed the news in Miami 3 weeks ago, you know the story. A couple, graduating from high school went to South Beach to celebrate their 5 month anniversary. As they walked near the beach, a vehicle stopped along-side them, 5 thugs forced them inside (threatening them with a gun). As the men drove along the interstate, they raped the girl. As her boyfriend tried to fight back, they repeatedly stabbed him and threw him out the speeding vehicle. He survived, and is currently in good condition. But further along the freeway, they stopped, dragged the girl out and executed her. All 5 are in custody, and facing the death penalty, but of course that does nothing to undo the events or bring back the poor girl.

This occurred on the same beach where many of us in Miami walk with our girl/guy for a romantic night out. It could have happened to any of us.

My 2 questions:

1.  What could the couple have done (what would any of you have done)?

2.  Faced with 5 men and a pistol, which martial art/self-defense system would be most useful in keeping me and my wife alive?

A:  There is no simple answer to something like this that could be all of our worst nightmare.

Fighting multiple attackers is a huge problem....
Fighting an armed attacker is a huge problem...
Defending yourself AND a loved one is a huge problem...

The rule of thumb for the first two is always to use a weapon...

In this type of situation, the use of deadly force is warranted and probably what any reasonable person would expect.

Fortunately you live in Florida, so you can have access to additional levels of self-defense (firearms).

Just as cops have options along the force continuum, you as a private citizen need to have options.

And, more importantly, you have to BE YOUR OWN BODYGUARD. Obviously the cops cannot protect you and if you want to live a life that includes basic pleasures such as being able to walk on the beach, you'll have to be responsible for your own security.

A tragic situation, and one that is possibly our worst nightmare as martial artists and DT instructors.

Realizing that there will never be a martial art that could save someone in this situation, you can defend yourself with the proper tools and the proper mindset of the "martial artist". For you AND your wife, the firearm is the great equalizer. Get training, get training and then get more training. Compete, practice, get more training, practice and compete.

But don't JUST rely on your firearm. You'll probably never run into the same situation as you've outlined, but you'll run into plenty of garden variety insults, fights and attempted petty crimes against your person. Do some more research on the board here and find a couple of schools or styles you like then go for it! Training is fun and will definitely change your life for the better.

There are some great shooting schools around your area. I think John Shaw is close. Massad Ayoob is up in the Northeast. You can always go out west and train at Gunsite. Andy Sanford is good. Gabriel Suarez is good. Thunder Ranch in Texas is good. Walter Rausch is good.

You might also consider joining the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA).