Madison, WI: "Self-Defense Lessons, not guns, needed"

[KnifeLawGuy]

For your eye-rolling pleasure:

From: http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/letters/index.php?ntid=104260&ntpid=4

John Morgan: Self-defense lessons, not guns, needed
A letter to the editor
Dear Editor: The tragic stories we read in the paper about assault in schools, workplaces and the streets, usually by an armed assailant, provides the call by some for concealed weapons and guns in schools.

This nonsense misses the point. The point is, why doesn't everyone know the basics of self-defense?

In most of these stories, it is obvious that if either the victim or a bystander had known one basic self-defense move, they could have incapacitated the assailant with one well-placed blow. Many people make the mistake of punching or wrestling with the attacker, which leaves them vulnerable.

Even a child can incapacitate an adult, should, God forbid, the need arise.

So why don't schools teach all children in the first grade two basic self-defense moves? Then, any time in their lives they are confronted by an attacker, they could put him out of commission in an instant.

John Morgan Madison

Published: October 23, 2006

Gee, why didn't we think of that? Here we are, talking about arming teachers and making sure law-abiding folks can legally carry handguns in schools, when the answer is right beneath our noses -- the magical ninja self-defense chop, that could put any homicidal, gun-wielding attacker "out of commission in an instant." In fact, according to Mr. Morgan, "it is obvious that if either the victim or a bystander had known one basic self-defense move, they could have incapacitated the assailant with one well-placed blow." Hee-yah! (karate, er, ninja death chop sound goes here).

Heck, Mr. Morgan should take his revolutionary idea to his local police department: after all, with just "two basic self-defense moves," "[t]hen any time in their lives they are confronted by an attacker [such as a violent, homicidal criminal], they could put him out of commission in an instant." His local PD could give up their handguns, shotguns, and patrol rifles, the local SWAT team could be disbanded, everyone could be taught the magical "two basic self-defense moves" (ok, three or four for the former SWAT guys), and, presto! -- we can finally attain that elusive "one-shot-stop" incapacitation. Hee-yah! Nirvana at last. And all of us could sing kumbaya.

But remember, kids, according to Mr. Morgan "[m]any people make the mistake of punching or wrestling with the attacker, which leaves them vulnerable." So, you don't actually want to fight them. That's dangerous. Instead, think: ninja chop.

Seriously, how can someone be so clueless? Obviously, one should learn empty-handed self-defense, along with how to use edged weapons, improvised weapons, and other defensive tools. But to think that one or two "basic self-defense moves" will put any determined attacker "out of commission in an instant" has to be some of the most drivel I've read in some time.

Perhaps some of our Wisconsin brethren can write a response letter to this publication?

Stay safe,
david.

Edited to add: Mods, if this is the wrong forum, please move as appropriate.

 

[jrfoxx]

I wonder if John Morgan would be willing to partner up with me to teach kids these 2 magical self-defense moves.I'll point my loaded, cocked gun at him, and he can demonstrate the moves.Too bad I'd have to contine teaching the lessons alone after the first one though......

 

[scout26]

I only know the Vulcan Neck Pinch. Can someone teach me the Ninja chop ???

 

[Helmetcase]

Heh. I had an argument with an anti once where he insisted that preventing CCW didn't mean you were denying self defense rights.

So I stepped back about three paces from him, and using my finger as a pistol, pointed my "gun" at his chest and said "go ahead, come karate me".

He didn't have much to say about that.

I'm a big fan of martial arts training, it's a great workout and can save your life. I really enjoy it, and back in the day was pretty damn good at it. But I don't pretend for a moment that it's a substitute for projectile weapons.

 

[progunner1957]

Even a child can incapacitate an adult, should, God forbid, the need arise.

How?

Oh, I forgot: By shooting him with a gun.

 

[El Tejon]

All that time in martial arts spent on push ups, sit ups, jumping rope, throwing a medicine ball, stretching, exercising, drills, forms, sparring, etc. when all I know is two magic self-defense move. Magic knockout punches?

I'm off to Chicago next weekend to see Dr. Yang, Jwing-ming, THE guy on qin na. http://school.ymaa.com/about/about.php I'll ask Dr. Yang if he knows these hidden basic self-defense moves against enemies with guns.

Yang has told us many times over the years that no matter how solid your kung fu it is next to worthless against firearms. Of course, the Boxer Rebellion taught the world that little known fact. Maybe they do not study world history in Madison? Or, maybe they just wish to believe in alternative realities not to upset themselves.

 

[Deanimator]

I'm off to Chicago next weekend to see Dr. Yang, Jwing-ming, THE guy on qin na.

Wow, haven't seen that name in 20 years!

Tell Dr. Yang he's got a BIG fan in Cleveland. I used to live in Apartheid Chicago. I had no idea that that's where he was.

 

[Low-Sci]

The problem with implementing this plan is that there are only two people in the world who know the infamous JudoChop, and they're James Bond (the old Connery bond; the new ones have forgotten it) and Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery.

And quite frankly, these two are far too busy to teach American schoolchildren the JudoChop.

 

[knuckles]

we can finally attain that elusive "one-shot-stop" incapacitation.

Don't you mean "one-chop-stop"?

 

[kludge]

I can practice shooting my gun at paper targets.

Anyone willing to let me practice incapacitating self defense blows on them so I can become proficient?

 

[gwine]

Perhaps some of our Wisconsin brethren can write a response letter to this publication?

If it comes from Madison it's just about guaranteed to be off base. This is the same city that wasted it's time with a resolution for Pluto making it Madison's 9th planet.

City of Madison Legislative File Number 04419 (version 1) Proclaiming Pluto as Madison's ninth planet.

Title

Proclaiming Pluto as Madison's ninth planet.

Body

WHEREAS, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has recently declared that Pluto is no longer a planet of our solar system and is instead part of a new category of planets that they intend to name "dwarf" planets; and

WHEREAS, one of the reasons for this demotion is that Pluto is small, which they call being a "dwarf," suggesting the IAU does not tolerate diversity; and

WHEREAS, Pluto's orbit intersects the orbit of Neptune and is somewhat elliptical, which also is being used as a reason for disqualifying it as a planet, suggesting that the IAU really does not tolerate planets pursuing different lifestyles; and . . .

You can read about it here.

But I do remember reading in Chuck Norris' book about him testifying at a trial in which a person who shot a black belt martial artist claimed self defense because he felt his life was in danger. Norris demonstrated just how fast he could get to you before you could respond (similar to the knife attack videos posted recently.) Maybe someone else remembers reading about it.

 

[orangelo]

Yeah but Chuck Norris could kill you just by squinting real hard at you.

To knock someone out is a messy, nasty affair. Watch some old Mike Tyson or UFC fights. The author of that garbage is on crack if he thinks anyone can knock out an armed attacker with 1 judo chop.

 

[Alex45ACP]

So why do cops carry guns?

 

[grampster]

To avoid bodily harm: Two self defense moves = 1. Draw 2. Squeeze.

 

[romma]

Never bring a Karate chop to a gun fight... Actually, you may or may not pull off a tactical "surprise" on an assailant, you are gambling your life on it though...

 

[jenniferjane]

I've always thought that self defense classes should be taught in school, and from a young age. They are great for teaching respect and discipline as well as the martial art itself.

But assuming that any martial art is a good match for a firearm is just ludicrous. A false sense of security is a very dangerous thing.

 

[Jack Straw from Wichita]

I only know the Vulcan Neck Pinch. Can someone teach me the Ninja chop ???

Ninja chops are for sissies. What you need is The Five-Point-Palm Exploding Heart Technique:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Point_Palm_Exploding_Heart_Technique

-Jack

 

[ptmmatssc]

I nominate Mr.John Morgan to be the guy that strolls the halls waiting for an assailent. At first sign of gun wielding maniac he is to run up and deliver that incapacitating blow , thereby saving all around him . then he can train all of our law enforcement the technique and we can forever be rid of our guns . Heck , he can even train our soldiers going to Iraq and we can end that little tiff pronto .

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

The problem with implementing this plan is that there are only two people in the world who know the infamous JudoChop, and they're James Bond (the old Connery bond; the new ones have forgotten it) and Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery.

WRONG! There is a third, he was second only to Bond to learn the dreaded chop. That man is no other than Fred Flintstone.

 

[Auslander]

Problem is you teach the kids the 'ninja chop' and ...

The problem is you just teach the kids the ‘ninja chop’ and then you have to put up with them ‘ninja chopping’: each other, the janitor, the cafeteria lady, every teacher they see, and the campus police officer. The amount of training to be competent in one or two moves is minimal. The amount of training required to be safely competent is much, much greater.

First graders will experiment with what ever you teach them. You’d end up with a bazillion law suits once lil’ Johnny comes home and does exactly what he learned in class on his little sister and she ends up “dead right there”, paralyzed or simple scared witless.

I’ll admit my nine year old has been in aikido classes for four years but the difference is I enrolled him in classes and I and his instructor both covered the rules of appropriate use as part of his training. He knows if he ‘pulls a stunt’ and hurts someone he’d be in more trouble than it is worth but he also has the skills and confidence to protect him self for most threats. The only problem is he still can’t out run or dodge a bullet. No amount of training in unarmed combat will overcome the disadvantages going up against an opponent armed with a firearm.