Firearms yes or no

As a means of defense, are the use of firearms any less worthy than martial arts?
I attempted to post some parts of the martial arts thread, but, I was unsuccessful.

My opinion is that firearms are no less legitimate as a means of self defense than any other. Am I wrong?

[ASWnut101]

I agree. You can't punch or kick someone across a room...

[ASWnut101]

BUT, in a situation where the fight becomes "CQ" (Close Quarters), firearms loose quite a bit of advantage. In all, it depends on the situation you're in.

[Ishmael]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

BUT, in a situation where the fight becomes "CQ" (Close Quarters), firearms loose quite a bit of advantage. In all, it depends on the situation you're in.

Not if you use my wife's weapon of choice, a 12-guage pump shotgun. It's the perfect sweeper for close quarters in an enclosed space. Here in the Wild West of New Mexico, the phrase you have to learn that was repeated to us by our local sherriff's deputy was,

"I was in fear for my life."

If an intruder enters your home, you are within your rights to blow his head off. Just make sure he stays within the dwelling.

[Yahoshua]

12 ga. is a good choice, but I'm restricted by the fact that I live in an apt. So a .45 1911 is my choice of defense.

[Takeda Shingen]

A firearm is a legitimate outlet for self defense, as are all of the martial arts, swords, knives, spoons and running away. The only requirement for such defense is that it protects you from harm.

At the same time, firearms stand unique among weapons due to their greater destructive power. They can kill from range, and do so more effectively than other weapons. However, any weapon is only as effective as the training and experience of the one who carries it. As such, a firearm in the hands of a novice, like myself, would not be nearly as effective as one in the hands of an experienced individual, like waste gate. It always comes down to the user.

[1mPHUNit0]

I agree. You can't punch or kick someone across a room...

Yes but you have to put your opponent in a room
And that's it's not so simple if your opponent it's more dinamic

In all, it depends on the situation you're in.

and depends on knowledge of the situation

[ASWnut101]

Originally Posted by 1mPHUNit0

Yes but you have to put your opponent in a room
And that's it's not so simple if your opponent it's more dinamic

And if the opponent puts himself in your bedroom..., it's .357 bullet through his noggin.

Originally Posted by Penelope Grey

but a skilled Martial Artist cannot accidentally kill someone

That kind of thinking is bad. Anyone, MA master or the most accurate shooter in the world, can kill someone unintentionally.

[1mPHUNit0]

That kind of thinking is bad. Anyone, MA master or the most accurate shooter in the world, can kill someone unintentionally.

Hahahahahaha
You are so funny

[ASWnut101]

Ah, so in your mind a MA master is infallable? That's how accidents happen.

[Penelope_Grey]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

That kind of thinking is bad. Anyone, MA master or the most accurate shooter in the world, can kill someone unintentionally.

Oh really? And this kind of thinking is good then;

And if the opponent puts himself in your bedroom..., it's .357 bullet through his noggin.

[ASWnut101]

When it comes to defence of your property and family, yes.

[Hitman]

My opinion is that firearms are no less legitimate as a means of self defense than any other. Am I wrong?

I can give you a very clear answer from the legal point of view -as far as spanish laws concern, of course, as those are the ones I know- and that is: If you are on a one vs. one situation, as a general rule if you use a gun where the other has no weapons you are screwed legally. The exemption of criminal responsability would never be appreciated as complete, and as such you would more than probably jailed, even if acting in self defence.

a skilled Martial Artist cannot accidentally kill someone

I agree with all you said except with the above quote. My experience tells me that as long as any risky action is involved, a probaility -even if minor- of hurting or even killing someone, exists. I can well remember when sparring at the boxing club how some guys got "accidentally" K.O. even using helmet and big gloves. It sure was their fault by doing an incorrect movement the adversary could not expect -a novice move many times- but the result didn't change that

Accidents happen, and martial arts are an activity prone to them, trust me.

Stability
Dynamics
Calm
knowledge
And so on....they are
Guns alone are nothing

I took the above quote from the 'Martial Arts' thread I believe it comes from 1mPHUNit0 (that's a mouthful).

As I said B4 all these attributes come into play with defence using a firearm, perhaps even more so.

[1mPHUNit0]

No dear
A gun in hand change the situation.
Change:
Stability
Dynamics
Calm
knowledge