What Really Happens In A Gunfight?

[Bruenor]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but it's a good read. The article is kind of long, so I'll just post the link and first couple of paragraphs here.

What Really Happens In A Gunfight?

Like many serious students of personal defense, I constantly update my knowledge of what actually happens when one is faced with a deadly threat. The best way to do this, at least to my way of thinking, is to talk with the folks who have been there. This means talking to gunfight survivors, getting their perspective on what transpired at the moment of truth. It only makes sense that by talking to those who have won in life's ultimate contest, to see what they saw, felt and heard, the rest of us will be better able to understand what to expect and how to prepare for it.

There are some who question such an approach, saying that the mind often does not "record" events clearly, which I admit does have some merit. I can remember working as a violent crime detective and taking witness statements from not only the victim of a particular crime, but also from people who witnessed the event. The discrepancies between what the various people saw and heard can sometimes be quite dramatic. These discrepancies are due to the shock effect that such an incident has on the witness' psyche.

Most people who witness a violent event (such as a crime in progress) are not accustomed to violent acts. Crime witnesses have told me that they always thought a violent attack would look like the antiseptic event as portrayed by television. When a bystander witnesses blood, victim screams, pandemonium and the shear violence of the real thing, they are taken back and oftentimes tell themselves, "This can't be happening; this can't be real." This denial state will certainly interfere with their re-telling of events.

[alxjmrk]

thanks for posting that. it will be my bed-time reading.

Police officers have told me of incidents where they left their flashlight behind because they were working the day shift and they didn't need a light because the sun was out. Then they get into a situation where they need to look into a dark closet, alcove or basement and they just can't see well enough. Being able to see well is critical.

who the F*** does that? am i crazy because i carry at least one flashlight on me at all times? who trained those guys?

[roscott]

Wow. That was a good read.

It's always good to keep that stuff in mind. I've never been in that situation, but I want to be as ready as possible for if/when it comes!

[Archbishop]

definitely a worthwhile read for all in my opinion

[Josh Ward]

Thanks for posting that, good stuff !!!

[Josh Smith]

What happens in a gunfight is your training takes over, then everything that can go wrong usually does. You find yourself yelling for the other person to drop the weapon, see his lips moving but can't make out the words, exchange fire and find out later you're it - and you're damn lucky to be wearing a vest or you'd be losing some intestines in surgery.

The upside is that you get better with practice.

You know it's on when you are physically incapable of talking anymore because your concentration is elsewhere.

[Paco Bedejo]

A lot of rounds can be fired in one to two seconds. Dr. Vincent DiMaio, a noted pathologist and author of the book Gunshot Wounds, has been quoted as saying the stopping power comes from, "Where you hit the person and how many times you can hit them.

Good to know.

[RCB]

You know something that helped me become more calm in high stress situations was walking through the woods at night by myself.

I used to do it often on my way back from our fields. Initially it is a very unnerving experience. At the time we also had a confirmed cougar on the property as well as coyotes, wild dogs and bob cats... and drug dealers in the general area.

Now, not saying it wasn't dangerous at all, but you will find out how scared you really can get. After a while you get used to it and just had to trust in your own ability should a situation arise.

After a while you shake the action rush and instead just keep your ears perked and know what the differences between good and bad sounds.

Funny story, actually ran across a dog once who seemed more than happy to stay right beside me till I got back home. It left the next morning, but I bet he wasn't too happy about being in those woods either. And to be honest, company never hurts hehe.

Not advocating frolics in the woods at midnight, but next time you go camping, stroll out into the woods where the firelight is just visible. Might teach you a few things about yourself.

May not help in a gunfight per se, but you may understand your own reactions better.

[joshennis84]

I hear of things happening where your focus is so much on someone elses gun that afterward you couldn't even tell someone what the person had looked like but could rattle off the make and model of the firearm to a t.

[Jbrown]

Thanks for posting. Good read!!!