Miscellany
I carry a gun because I can't fit a police officer or bodyguard in my holster.
I can see where the 911 instruction sheet/script forbids the advice to defend one's self.
No liability-averse entity (including 911 administrators) is likely to be willing to advise any act that could be construed as escalation. Witness convenience stores' and banks' admonition to their clerks that if a robber demands money, give it to them and many women being advised that if threatened with injury or rape (not that rape isn't an injury) to acquiesce to the rape to avoid greater injury or death.
If the 911 operator advised fighting back, and the woman injured her attacker, I don't doubt that the attacker could sue the 911 administrator. And if the woman lost the fight, she might sue. Or they both could sue.
The comment (paraphrased), "Learning to shoot is worthless without a gun at hand." is all too true. However, learning to shoot, when to shoot, when you have a right to shoot goes hand-in-hand with learning that use of force (shooting, stabbing, bludgeoning, hitting, biting and all other means of self-defense) IS AN INTENDED VICTIM'S RIGHT. And the right (I recognize this may be controversial and the legality of this right may be subject to local variances in law) does not wait until the attacker's first act, but accrues upon the instant of the aggressor's forming the 1) intent combined with the 2) proximity in place and time and 3) ability to do harm.
So, get training - educate yourself. Examine your home, your habits, your position in life, etc. Form contingency plans (for fire, crime, natural disaster, whatever). Equip yourself and your personal spaces (home, work, vehicle etc). Practice those plans. Continually refine all the foregoing.
Good luck,
Lost Sheep
