Not to be an ass, but please, never even consider using a dummy gun for anything other than training. A live weapon (or fake) should never be used to intimidate or influence any situation, it will only get you killed or locked up. The only time a gun needs to come out in a self defense situation is if somebody is going to die. You or a loved one are either going to be killed or you have to kill the bad guy to survive. No exceptions.
I wont banter statistics... but a suprising number of undermotivated people will leave the scene when presented the "get shot" option by an armed person. The bad- ass- in training (with Oak Leaf Clusters) may hang around long enough to get shot... and the serious nut job with nothing left to lose (or who just did not get enough hugs as a child) may actually engage and continue to engage at great peril to his health. Yea- he makes a choice to die- not smart enough to cut his losses.
Statistics tell us that the bad guy is going to get missed on the first shot or two pretty often. If he takes cover... or sneaks away...game over. Plus... everytime you limber up that hogleg the freindlies and assets in the background need to be considered... it you need to move to make a shot and your bad guy leaves...game over. You win.
Good training tells us to move off the "X" and sometimes that breaks the assailant's focus... it may buy you enough time to run away... game over, you win.
"Has to die"? Most people require mutiple applications of lead to actually die from handgun bullets. 80% of shooting victims survive a one shot shooting event.
What we need those people to do is CEASE BEING a THREAT--- if they behave after we shoot them once- we are done shooting. If they happen to expire while improving their behavior- that the roll of The bad guy's dice. "I was in fear for my life" is a good answer. "I was in fear for my life... and he would not stop!" is even better.
I do understand the concept. It's part of the mindset. Never point a gun at anything we are not willing to kill or destroy. A gun comes into play when there is NO alternative. The flip side is- play nasty and run the risk of getting shot- maimed- killed.
Knives. Any person who has second thoughts about shooting somebody probably won't even consider slashing another human in self defense. Blades are up close, personal and messy. Truly a last ditch method.. and for defensive purposes if your that close somebody really screwed up.
Lot's of women who don't like hardware will learn Hand to Hand skills. Some who have H2H training learn early on it's a lot of work to beat the tar out of a rapist... you get sweaty and break nails. Many of those women make the addition of firearms after they figure out shooting is a lot easier than rolling in the gravel.
