Am I Paranoid?

Then said He unto them, "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke 22:36)

I've read reports about the increase in violent/deadly home invasions, and I keep a firearm on my person or within reach when I'm inside my home or in the yard. Does this make me paranoid?

If you've heard about pedestrians struck by motor vehicles, so you look both ways before crossing the street, does that make you paranoid?

If you put poisonous chemicals out of the reach of your children, does that make you paranoid?

If you have insurance against sickness and injury, fire, flood and tornado, does that make you paranoid?

If you cook meat so that you don't get food poisoning, does that make you paranoid?

If you take rational precautions against any other potential threat, society at large sees you as responsible rather than paranoid. The only exception? When you arm yourself against potential violence.

The real question: Who is being irrational, here?

Vintage Self Defense

I like vintage self defense books. Hey, I even like the ads for vintage self defense books. Here's something from an old Jiu Jitsu book by John J. O'Brien.

O'Brien is the man reputed to have taught Jiu Jitsu to President Theodore Roosevelt. In the pictures below -- from his book A Complete Course in Jiu Jitsu -- he demonstrates KatateTori, the basic wrist lock.

(If you practice with a friend, go slowly and apply pressure gradually. Have a prearranged signal to stop)

I have republished A Complete Course in Jiu Jitsu for people like myself who get a kick out of the vintage self defense classics. For a limited time, you can get it for a 10% discount. Check it out by clicking on this button: