Managememt of Aggressive Behavior

Avoiding Criminal Attack and Controlling a Violent Encounter Auditory Exclusion. During a violent encounter you will also undergo auditory exclusion, a condition during which extraneous sounds may be inaudible. Sounds emanating from outside your visual percep tion-and even those from within it-may go unheard. People involved in shootings often report that the sound of their own gunshots was no louder to them than a popgun. You can at least partially counteract the effects of auditory exclusion by screaming your commands to your assailant. Not only does this help break through the veil of auditory exclusion; it also serves to intimidate him. Keep in mind that you will not be the only one suffering auditory exclusion; your assailant as well as any family members; police officers or innocent bystanders who may be involved in the situation will experi ence it as well. Time Dilation. Time dilation refers to the perception of slowed time that occurs during extreme stress. You may see the movements of both your assailant and yourself as happening in slow motion, and you lose the ability to accurately determine the passage of time. A few seconds of actual time may seem to you to be much longer in duration. The phenomenon of time dilation is the reason why, when you are first alerted to strange sounds or other early warnings of a potential threat, you should wait much longer than you may initially think is necessary before you relax your guard or emerge from hiding. The aftermath of a defensive shooting Complete preparation for defensive firearm use involves more than practicing the shooting fundamen tals, shooting positions, and visualization exercises. True, when you are confronted by an assailant, your first concern is prevailing in the encounter, and the shooting skills you have learned are of paramount importance. When the shooting is over, however, you may experience emotional turmoil, social ostra cism and even legal sanctions. These are all common aspects of the aftermath of a defensive shooting, and require prior mental preparation just as effective shooting and gun handling require physical prepa ration. An important part of this mental preparation-indeed, a step that should be taken before you even decide to incorporate a firearm into your defense strategy-is to ensure that defensive firearm use is consonant with your own values. Ask yourself the following questions: Am I prepared to take the life of another human being to save my own life or that of loved one? Does my religion permit the taking of a life in self-defense? Do my personal moral standards permit the taking of a life in self-defense? Am I prepared to tolerate the judgement of my family, friends, and neighbors if I must defend myself with lethal force? Even when you are justified and forced to do so, shooting a predatory criminal is not a pleasant experience. Realize this and plan for it in your mental training. MOAB008

Handgun Training Specialists