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Much has been written here concerning use of a handgun in personal defense and “gunfighting,” with emphasis on having “been there” like that’s a good thing. Former Sheriff Jim Wilson, who I always thought looked kind of prissy in his designer jeans, nevertheless brings this rather intelligent perspective to the subject:

“Just about everyone is familiar with the gunfight at the OK Corral. But I suspect that very few are aware of Billy Claiborne. Well, Mr. Claiborne was standing right there beside the other outlaws when the Earps arrived. The difference between Claiborne and his outlaw buddies was that Claiborne saw what was about to happen and got out of there before the shooting started. While Billy Clairborne’s lifestyle is not to be admired, he gets points for being alert and taking remedial action. A quick exit is often a really good, if not the best, option.”

“So, I would just suggest to you that we always try to look at the big picture when thinking about personal defense. That can help us recognize the difference between a time to fight and a time to leave. It can also help us formulate plans for dealing with events when we are in a place where carrying our gun is not an option. This sort of thing reminds us that what you have on your hip is not nearly as important as what you have between your ears.”

I agree with Wilson above. I used to follow him quite a bit but he got a bit prissy in his writings in addition to his jeans so I dont anymore. He has a valid point about being alert, and avoid every having to be there. The hassle involved with even just pulling a gun and getting involved with the police, being sued, or whatever is not something anyone should hope to experience

VERY good point!

Like the boy scout motto: "be prepared"

Virgil B.

Yep, cowards will live forever.

A man that will desert his friends will desert his family, country, GOD!

Not necessarily. Billy Claiborne lived little more than another year before he was shot and killed in self defense by Frank Leslie, saying “Don't shoot again, I am killed.” He really shoulda been somewhere else instead of trying to shoot Leslie from ambush while drunk.

I agree with this to the extent that, if you are a dumbass criminal and the law or a law abiding, armed citizen arrives, then get the hell out of there and live to be a scumbag another day. But, LE can't or at least shouldn't. And as a law abiding armed citizen, if my loved ones or an innocent is in danger, I won't be running away.



This qualifies as a "no [bleep] Sherlock" statement.

SA. Situational Awareness.

In other words, have your head in the game, Jeff Cooper's condition Yellow, keep your head on a swivel, etc, etc.

Situational awareness gives one time to assess, decide, act.

When Chekov was killed by an Earp, the Enterprise landing party knew that the outcome wasn't fixed, i.e., they could change it, and weren't destined to be killed by the Earps. They knew because one of them (Spock, perhaps, or maybe Kirk) remembered that Billy Claiborne survived the gunfight at the OK Corral, and Chekov was occupying the role of Billy Claiborne, yet lay dead by the gun of Morgan Earp.

If Billy Clairborne was in fact unarmed when the Erps arrived at the OK Corral and therefore got himself quickly out of there before the shooting started in earnest, it’s kind of a stretch to describe him as having survived the gunfight.

Well, he was part of the Clanton Gang, was there, alive, and well, before, and after it was over. I think that's all Spock (or was it Kirk) meant.

Including getting your family out of there. Leaving before trouble starts does not require abandoning them .. even less if you stay more alert, more aware of what might be developing.

Perhaps Billy had perused a copy of Sun Tzu when picking up his shirts at the Chinese laundry.


“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Billy shoulda remembered that when he tried to ambush Frank Leslie coming out of the Oriental Saloon, but missed ‘cause he was too drunk. Frank didn’t miss.

It seems a wise and reasonable response. But I don't think the residents of Northfield Minnesota subscribed to it.
:-)

Or those of Coffeyville, KS.

'Gott, Ehre, Vaterland', words many gullible minds live by. I 🙏 for them.

Exactly Montana marine. Fight or flight also comes to mind, as does Darwinism as well. Also common sense. That doesn’t mean you stop training and just run away. You don’t run out looking for fights either. All common sense stuff. SA is something that should be a constant.

I don't think I'll take any fight advice from Jim Fugkin' Wilson.

LOL

He has written far beyond his personal knowledge years ago.

While I like the guy, and know him, he and I got into quite a tiff on another platform a couple years ago where he claimed nobody could hit anything while shooting off horseback.

Myself and a couple of others knew better... But rather than admit he was wrong, he doubled down on his ignorance.

You see that often here at the Fire too...