I started this letter about three weeks ago. I had hesitated about sending it in. Then, tonight (2Dec92), I heard about that unfortunate young man. He was car-jacked. The perpetrator had taken him, in his car, way from the scene of the crime. Then, instead of just dropping the victim off and leaving with the stolen car, the perpetrator shot the victim, in the chest, with a shotgun. The escalation, that I predicted three weeks ago, has begun. This will increase to the point that rape and killing will be synonymous with car-jackings. I write this with hope that it will be printed, that people will take heed, that they will take responsibility for their personal defence. < ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
We all know, or can surmise, that Capitalism and Communism can not coexist in the same frame because Communism is inherently passive. Capitalism offers many advantages to its adherents which, as a matter of survival, we would be foolish to forego. It is interesting to note that the same reasoning can be applied to the violence verses non-violence problem. Yet, there are folks out there that would have us do exactly that which we have just concluded as a foolish act. The study and understanding of violence is vital to your personal security. It is arguable that the path of non-violence may, or may not, make you a better person. But, it will certainly make you a victim, it may even kill you.
The situation is related to the classic “Prisoners Dilemma” problem, in that, I would have difficulty giving up an advantage while you still had that advantage to use against me. The only way it would work is for both of us to agree to give up that advantage simultaneously. But, if you betrayed me by not, in fact, giving up that advantage then I would be absolutely at your mercy. It becomes a bit more subtle if you had other advantages that you would retain while we both gave up the option we agreed to give up. Giving up firearms would be such a case. Where you would retain advantage over me in the way of skills, other weapons, or physique.
Carjackers, are people who understand the laws of violence. They generally try to pick a victim which has the least understanding of these laws. From a strategic view this makes sense, as such a victim will be least able to defend themselves. In our present culture this makes women have a higher target value then men. The ideal victim would be someone of a non-violent disposition and philosophy, as their sheer aversion to violence would keep them from having the knowledge that would make them capable of defending themselves. From this point, the Carjacker would simply assure themselves of a tactical advantage and procede with the crime. The victim, you, have at this point, no recourse as you don’t have training, materials, or tactical position to fend off such an assault. Even if you are skilled in the art of violence, you would be hard pressed to defend yourself.
The reality is that these criminals are practising the art of violence and intimidation for profit. Make no mistake, these guys are good at it. Their success record proves it. As more of them are successful then others will feel encouraged to try the technique, resulting in more successes. Police departments should be justifyably concerned with this trend. They can not possibly respond fast enough to combat it. Worse, the rules of the game will shortly break down as more criminals get involved.
Thus far, most of the victims haven’t been harmed (Mid NOV92). This can be expected to change. Some of them will start killing their victims, as a matter of procedure, under the mistaken motive of eliminating a witness. Or, just because they can. Others will take to performing rape on their female victims.
The only way to stop this trend is for you, the victim, to defend yourself. This does not mean grappleing with an armed opponent, or even an unarmed one. In most cases they will have better combat experience than you, be more skilled, or outnumber you. A loaded firearm, in the car, is only effective if you have the will, knowledge, and skill to use it. Without all three of the preceding elements, a handgun is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. It is effective in the hands of a car-jacker only because he has the will to use it, and he can convince you of that will. My wife carries CN (Tear Gas) because she has fewer cumpunctions about pressing a button than pulling a trigger. Also, it takes a lot of intensive training to learn how, and when, to use a firearm. One carjacking occured at knife-point. I submit, that if the victim had understood, and was familiar with, violence then they might not have remained a victim.
You must understand strategy and tactics. You must learn to understand the laws of violence, coercion, and intimidation no matter how distasteful it may seem to you. You must understand what might make you a victim and correct it. You must learn not to place yourself in weak tactical situations. You must learn to be aware of the events around you and interpret them correctly. Advanced warning of a violent assault is invaluable in preventing it.
You must develop policies that place weapons, that you will use, at hand, at all times. Tasers, Mace, StunGuns, Firearms and other weapons must be evaluated for effectiveness. Remembering all the while that a weapon that you hesitate to use is worse than useless. Martial Arts training should be considered more for the attitude it teaches than for the skills. Maasad Ayoob, “In The Gravest Extreme”, is a recommended author, among others.
People, a car-jacker will not operate with a policeman around and the police can not be everywhere. Your fellow citizens can not be relied on for help. Assume a car-jacker is going to kill you and act appropriately. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let yourself be “boxed in”. Avoid hazardous situations. Above all, take responsibility for your personal security!
