Self-Defense Questions

We get questions on all sorts of techniques, training methods and self-defense scenarios.  See if any of these are ones that you've had.

The families of the North Hollywood bank robbers sued the City of Los Angeles. Did they ever get paid by the City?

Shouldn't I be able to shoot someone who has broken into my house?

Should a woman use her purse as a self-defense weapon?

Are little guys actually more dangerous than big guys?

Do fights often start with a shove?  And what should I do to handle someone who shoves me?

I am wondering how most violent "stranger-rapes" are initiated. Punches? An incapacitating blow of some sort?

How can my wife protect herself from being pulled over by a fake policeman?

I've just been in a fight, should I worry about him retaliating against me later?

What if I defend myself with a gun and the guy is unarmed, it was HIS decision to try and hurt me!

If I'm stopped by a police officer and I'm carrying my concealed weapon, what should I do?

I am concerned that, if necessary, I would not be able to kick an attacker in the face.

Can you give some insight to the techniques you use to create a calm state of mind in your fighting stance?

Any advice on the use of an offensive flashlight?

Have you ever heard of the "Wedge" as a method of entering?

I live in India and I need to know how to handle dog attacks and, what are some unarmed self-defence techniques appropriate for adults?

How hard is it to accomplish the eye gouge and how do I know when to stop pushing? Wouldn't the assailant just grab my hands and continue his attack on me?

Are street people usually more dangerous than your "average" criminals?

There are some aggressive dogs that charge me when I'm walking my dogs, would an expandable baton be a good choice for me?

What should I do if a drunk wants to fight me and I'm afraid if I defend myself that he will retaliate and have me stabbed?

This article says that you cannot shoot someone who is in your house uninvited.  Is it true? If someone has entered my home uninvited, I would consider it a legitimate threat.

When in public, say a cafe, and you find somebody trying to stare you down, what's the best action?

Does pepper spray expire or does it last a long time?  And the key chain size canister, is it a one-time use?

When someone throws a punch, should I duck and then do a takedown, or  just do a take down?

After showing my wife your (Rape Escape) articles on the web, she asked me this question (roughly):  "If they don't teach women to hit, attack the eyes, and other martial art techniques then what do they teach them to do?"

How can I defend against a tackle and remain standing?

How would you respond if someone came up to you and said this: "I don't need self-defense training. I have a gun and a baseball bat. Any martial artist would have to be really good to stop me."

 This has been a question that has been nagging me. Is there such thing as "peripheral hearing"?


I would like to be able to fight -- good enough to where I do not feel like I need to fight.  What would learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu do for me? 

After successfully defending yourself against a predator, is there a likelihood that the same guy will attack you if he sees you again on the streets? Is it possible that he may hire multiple groups of people to take you down?

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

The truth and lies of women's self-defense and the rape culture that exists

I've heard people boast how they can take on 10 or so people in a fight when they're pissed off. Is this just used as an intimidation device?

Every time I see people arguing or fighting, I get nervous. But whenever the confrontation is directed towards me, I'm never nervous and always ready to fight. Why is that?

I read over and over again from the media sources [on the Hockey Dad case] that everyone was fixated on how big the guy was and the size differences. We all know that it doesn’t matter how big the guy is in a fight.

[In the Hockey Dad fight,] the media would have you believe that they were two upstanding guys who just had a fight and one went too far. Junta was apparently not the aggressor, he was hit first. He defended himself, he lost his temper, and did more than was absolutely necessary. Costen picked on the wrong guy and he paid a heavy price, but he started the fight. Junta should not go to prison for defending himself. The fight was forced on Junta according to the witnesses.

I am being harassed by a male neighbor (about 45 years old). I live alone and am 55 years old. Where can I get information on protecting myself?

What is a WA-01 and is it a good self-defense weapon?

What can I practice without the benefit of a training partner that you feel would be effective in a life or death situation?

What if the guy has has the lady's wrists pinned to the ground in a rape scenario?

Is the "defensive position" the best for women even if they are trained martial artists?

What are some simple things to do for self-defense if you are untrained?

What about pepper spray for self-defense?

Where should I look during a fight?

Are weapons disarming tactics wise for the layman without training to attempt?

What do I do when confronted by a man with a knife?

I still have difficulty bridging someone off of me when in the mount position.

How can I learn to control my fear when suddenly confronted by an attacker?

How do I handle a drunk who is somewhat violent, not necessarily towards me?

What is the best martial art a security officer should learn?

Does an armed security force attract violence to a campus?

My girlfriend is being threatened at work by another woman.  What can she do?

What crime prevention strategies have influenced, and been influenced, by crime?

Should I comply with an armed robber at the store where I work?

What items are available to keep me from being attacked?

How can I find a practical martial arts system and school?