In the recent months people have been consistently fed incorrect information with regards to what self defense is. Really what it comes down to is a simple set of yes or no questions to ask yourself.

1. Do you value your life?
2. Do you value your children or significant others life?
3. Is there anything you would not do to prevent harm from coming to them?
4. Do you follow a set of principles regarding your interaction with others?

Some of these questions may not apply to you individually, however, some surely do. If you answered no to any of those questions than this article and much of what I write is not for you. However, if you answered yes and indeed do value your own life or that of your children or loved ones, than keep reading.

I am a person who follows a simple set of principles, do no harm otherwise known as the non aggression principle. For those who have not read anything I have written previously this is a deceptively simple principle for living ones life. Do not be an aggressor against anyone or anyones property, if someone acts with aggression against you or your property, defend yourself or your property. I also believe quite strongly in the idea of self ownership, meaning my life and my decisions are mine alone and I should be allowed to make those without interference from anyone else.

Self-defense is a necessary component to maintain an individuals self ownership or their property. As a result I have become versed in the art of defense. With empty hands, edged weapons, blunt weapons and most projectile weapons I am well trained and extremely capable. What I have done that has kept me safe far better than simply acquiring martial skills is to engage my local community and always remain aware. The most effective tool I have in my arsenal is my cognitive awareness, the most important weapon is my brain. Everything else is simply a tool for use, each knife, baton, firearm and even my fists are tools to be used by my brain.

Over the past months the idea of self defense has been perverted by the talking heads in politics and mainstream media. In every case these various “experts” have misrepresented what defines a condition in which the need for the application of deadly force is necessary. Over the millennium that humans have existed some of the most effective tools for the incapacitation of other humans have been simple rocks or ones hands. Disparity of force was ignored and various emotions were conjured. The simple fact is that if an individual is attacked the law recognizes these things and should do so minus the emotions. As a result while I avoided discussing the case that has held most voters and many supposed liberty folk hostage to their television, I have been forced by necessity to study the case and be able to present a rational response to inevitable questions posed.

In this case the primary was a hispanic male who both outweighed and was older than the secondary who happened to be black. The hispanic male had been placed in a role that allowed for his patrolling of the neighborhood he had a house in. While I would likely find this person repulsive in interaction he was right in following a suspicious individual based on a history of unknown individuals having committed many prior robberies in the area. While he did not know for sure if this individual was a criminal he noted that it was a dark night and the weather was off for someone to be out for a simple walk. Again, it is not for me to say what the intentions of the secondary were, I do not know. I only know what facts were made available and as a result must compose a rational response for the questions that will occur when I teach classes.

The primary called the proper authorities, and while on the phone with them made the decision to follow the individual and ensure that they were not attempting to cause problems. Much has been said about the fact that the dispatcher stated he shouldnt follow the secondary. According to the law, the dispatcher is neither a police officer nor an attorney, and as a result cannot make commands that need to be followed in this case. The secondary eventually noticed the primary following him and turned and a scuffle ensued. The primary found himself in a difficult position as he was straddled by the secondary and pummeled with his head against a concrete curb. The primary fearing for his life than drew his firearm and fired the shot that took the life of the secondary.

The jury made up of 6 women heard all of the facts of the case and the emotional pleas made by the prosecutor. And so if anyone failed to make a case for the deceased it was the prosecutor. Something most Americans are quite unaware of is that a jury is almost never made up of peers of the accused. In this case they would be mothers, non gun owners and very likely began the trial with the primaries head on a platter in their minds. Fortunately for the primary in this case the facts cleared him of all wrongdoing and he was found innocent of all charges brought against him. Unfortunately for those who have found this to be a miscarriage of justice, they have at all costs avoided facts and embraced wholesale the emotional outbursts being shouted out by everyone including the president of the country.

Again, this not meant to be a personal diatribe, but simply a factual approach to a sad event. No one wants their children to die. No one wants to see a child die, however, no one that I know wants to suffer grievous bodily injury or death either. I will not engage in the what if’s, at this point there is no what ifs there is only what happened. How does this affect my stance regarding self defense, how should it affect yours? If anything this case has shown us that any of us who choses to be armed or to train in defensive martial skills should also be well aware of the local statutes and laws regarding the potential use of these. In this case the talking heads have made claims and quoted a law that did not even apply to this situation.

If I can give you the reader a small bit of advice, never look to media or politicians for legal advice, speak with an attorney that specializes in the areas you need assistance in. Get training from individuals who offer beneficial approaches regarding this. As a matter of course I do offer this training to liberty folk for free all I ask is that you show others and that you understand it is not legal advice but merely advice in how to approach a situation so as to reduce your potential for legal action. I do offer ways for people to contribute to this work, after all what I offer is firearms training, unarmed defensive training and much more.

The t-shirt pictured is offered for a donation of $20 or more and stickers are also available for those who donate $5-19 dollars. You can submit donations via paypal use the gift option- jesse.mathewson@hotmail.com I also accept bitcoin the address is: 1DJyRTrbn6uCw5yfXs8DTSxjJ5nFLexYBn – additionally you can send me silver and more. I appreciate the outpouring of support that has helped so much to date. Make sure you email me with your address, sizes and the like. Expect delivery directly from the factory within two weeks.

I intend to follow this article up with one per week directly related to training with firearms, edged weapons, hand to hand and more. Thank you for reading and if you have any questions, drop me an email. For those wondering, yes I have worked with many others and yes I am working on getting feedback that I can publicly place for your perusal. I also have certifications from internationally known instructors and advanced degrees in criminal justice with honors. Again, all I ask when taking a class is that you share with others, depending on travel needs I may ask for reimbursement or up front costs of travel. Regardless, if you have feedback or input let me know.

Free the mind and the body will follow

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