It’s worth remembering such a trick as keeping a small but flashy clipped roll of single dollar bills surrounded by a twenty or even ten dollar bill in an easily accessed pocket. If confronted in a public place by a money seeking thug, take out the clipped roll slowly and carefully enough that the thug sees the higher denomination bill showing, then toss it in one direction and run like hell in the opposite direction. Make certain not to be too abrupt about reaching for the roll, either. Adrenaline-hopped reflexes can all too easily inadvertently twitch a trigger finger in involuntary response to a sudden movement, if this is a thug armed with a gun.
Obviously, one also tries not to be in areas or situations (certain neighborhoods in particular) where thugs are rampant, whether or not the common money seeking variety. I once, when much younger and much more naive was walking alone at night in such a neighborhood, and was nearly killed by a wilding gang that fortunately seemed more intent on tossing the biggest possible stones (ten pounds or so each) than on actual accuracy.
I’d very much rather not have to actually shoot, reserving that for the gravest extreme and when unable to retreat to and in safety. (Obviously, if a home invader suddenly and violently burst into my home, this would in itself constitute such an unavoidable and immediate threat to my life and bodily integrity). This is essentially the law as well in New York State, as I understand it. If I must shoot, then I’ll certainly shoot to abruptly disable the attacker and cause the attack to cease and desist. That means centre of mass generally, and if possible a load bearing joint (a hip especially). A head shot might make sense, since that will stop an attack very quickly with a decent round, but is tricky since heads do dance and weave so much. I might feel compelled in an emergency to attempt it if the attacker was obviously drugged up and liable to keep going and going like the Eveready Energizer Bunny even if shot multiple times in centre mass.
Speaking of rounds, if your state allows it, most certainly use a decent hollowpoint round, and practice with it along with the normal cheaper practice rounds in roundpoint (ball ammunition). (New Jersey in particular is notorious for sending people to prison for merely possessing so much as a single round of hollowpoint ammunition, whether or not actually loaded into a gun). I’d suggest at least a .38 Special caliber round such as Golden Sabre, and it’s hard to go wrong with most of the .45 caliber hollowpoints with which to begin. I’m not a gun expert at all, so do your own research on which handguns to go with the calibres. I like Taurus and Glock models myself.
Certainly, also practice drawing and aiming the gun (with it unloaded, and for Pete’s sake double check each and every time that it’s actually unloaded when you practice this way). You might be surprised how easy it is, when you’re frightened and stressed, to catch the damned thing on every possible little snag, whether from a concealed holster under clothes or from a purse for the ladies. There are hammerless handgun models if needed that lack the obvious part that sticks out from the hammer.
I guess I should close with the cautious statement that I am not an attourney, the contents of this post do not constitute legal advice, and that it is your responsibility to be aware of the specific laws and regulations of your own state and locality.
