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The Best Defense: True Stories of Intended Victims Who Defended Themselves with a Firearm
It is estimated that every year 400,000 to 500,000 Americans use a firearm to defend themselves from violent attacks. Often lost in the statistics, however, is the dynamic of what happens when ordinary, law-abiding citizens are assaulted. What thoughts and feelings go through their minds as the events unfold? How do they react when suddenly thrust into life-or-death situations?
236 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 11, 2009
This book was recommended by Kathy Jackson on her website, Cornered Cat (from the table of contents, look for the section titled "Mindset").
In most of these cases, the intended victims had no reason to believe they would be the target of a violent attack and simply chose to carry a firearm for self defense "just in case", however unlikely. That preparation saved their life and the lives of others. In other cases there was a known danger, such as a stalker or a jewelery store were a professional burglary attempt was inevitable.
While ultimately the outcome of each story is encouraging in the sense that the bad guy was killed or apprehended, several stories follow a rather tragic path to get there. The opening chapter tells the story of a man who goes on a killing spree before finally being stopped. There are a few chapters I almost wished I hadn't read after bedtime.
Robert A. Waters does a very good job condensing his research of newspaper stories, police reports, and extensive interviews with the people involved to present each story in a way that is informative, interesting, and readable.
In most of these cases, the intended victims had no reason to believe they would be the target of a violent attack and simply chose to carry a firearm for self defense "just in case", however unlikely. That preparation saved their life and the lives of others. In other cases there was a known danger, such as a stalker or a jewelery store were a professional burglary attempt was inevitable.
While ultimately the outcome of each story is encouraging in the sense that the bad guy was killed or apprehended, several stories follow a rather tragic path to get there. The opening chapter tells the story of a man who goes on a killing spree before finally being stopped. There are a few chapters I almost wished I hadn't read after bedtime.
Robert A. Waters does a very good job condensing his research of newspaper stories, police reports, and extensive interviews with the people involved to present each story in a way that is informative, interesting, and readable.
"Don't bring a knife to a gunfight."
August 6, 2011
Oftentimes, when you read a story involving use of a firearm, it's usually packaged in the form of some sensationalized crime, deliberately played up to put firearms ownership in a bad light. But Bob Waters has collected several stories you probably don't hear in the national news--stories involving the legal use of a firearm in self-defense.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews