1 Nov 03

From a friend in the LA area:

"Just saw on local TV newscast footage from LA of man shooting at an attorney with a handgun (looks like a five-shot snubby revolver) at pointblank range. The victim, wearing suit and tie, was struck at least once, but the hit(s) appear to be peripheral and not life-threatening.

The attorney, while being shot at, continued to resist vigorously, dodging behind a tree and using it as cover, with great skill, while his assailant danced on the other side trying for another shot. The assailant quickly ran out of ammunition. Instead of reloading and finishing what he had started, he casually walked away and was immediately subdued by police. The victim walked away too, fully cognizant and displaying little discomfort!"

Not often do we see so clearly evidence that pistol rounds are frequently ineffective at stopping people from acting."

Lessons:

(1) Keep fighting as long as you are conscious. Impacts from most pistol bullets are not instantly incapacitating, unless you've convinced yourself that they should be.

(2) On the other side of the ledger, pistol rounds can't be depended upon to make the action stop. Multiple impacts, even reloading, may be necessary before the fight ends.

(3) Adept use of cover is a critical skill. Cover is a life saver, even at close range

(4) Don't go to LA without a gun!

/John