16June06

We had two women, both in highly-paid professional positions, attend a Basi c Defensive Pistol class last year. Neither had ever owned a gun before coming to us, but they had moved to a rural area and, on their own, decided to acquire defensive pistols and attend our training. They were referred to u s by a local attorney. Still wrestling with their anti-gun, liberal upbringing,

both indicated repeatedly that they would probably be the last to ever have to use their pistol skills. Well, when it's least expected, you're el ected:

"Last week, one of my dogs, a rottweiler, for reasons I'll never kno w, precipitously went after Kathy, biting her in the ankle. At the time, Kath y was relaxing on our back porch. He wouldn't let go, so I grabbed his testicle s in an attempt to distract him. That caused him to let go of Kathy, but he then immediately went after me, biting me in the thigh. His incisors went in all the way!

Since moving out of the city, I had gotten into the habit of carrying my pistol (H&K P2000, in 40S&W, w/Cor-Bon PowerBall, per your recommendation),

concealed in an IWB/belt holster most times I was at home. I am comfortabl e doing so. In this state, CCW permits are hard to get, but there is no regu lation pertaining to carrying in one's own home. I consider the practice a non-issue in our rural county.

It was a good thing! When the dog bit into my leg, I drew my pistol and, being careful not to shoot myself, shot him several times, at contact range , in the body. I was unable to shoot him in the head without shooting myself. Even so, my shots were instantly effective. He yelped, let go, and then fe ll away. He was dead within a few seconds. PowerBall worked as advertised! Of four rounds, all hit, and none exited.

My leg required surgery, and I may end up with a limp, but I learned from the surgeon that the dog's incisors missed my femoral artery by less than an inch! Had I not ended the attack when I did, I would surely have easily sustained additional serious injury and/or bled to death at the scene.

I am still in the 'coping stage,' but I am in the process of rethinking the

dog subject. My dog's attack was completely unexpected, and I have no idea what was going through his mind. My perspective on dogs has changed foreve r!

Fortunately, my training taught me to be prepared and decisive, even in the

sudden presence of this unexpected menace. Thank heaven my pistol was with in reach, fully loaded, and ready to go! Thank heaven I had the skill and determination to see through my panic and think clearly enough to act, when it needed to be. I'm glad to be alive, and I'm glad I was prepared, even thou gh, at the time, I wasn't sure why!"

Comment: Once again, we carry pistols as a means of dealing with UNEXPECTED

threats! That is why they have to be continually (1) close at hand and (2)

in a high state of readiness. My student fearlessly acted at the critical moment. She is a hero. She saved her own life and probably the life of he r friend.

None of the foregoing will ever be seen in a headline, nor will it ever be reflected in any statistic quoted by a politician. But, in this business, it is happy endings like this that we live for. Good show!

/John