Lessons from Armed America

I give this book three stars because if you decide that you must carry, then this book has some good information. You get some info on legal issues (which vary from state to state in their details) and discussions of the physiology and psychology of confrontation--both during the event and in its aftermath.However, this is another of those pieces that regales one with true tales of how a gun did good, while ignoring how much harm guns can do. They provide examples of defensive gun use, but they seem to forget about teen male suicide, domestic violence, and accidents--though they too are part and parcel of the world of firearms.They also expect one to be impressed with analogies like "having a firearm in your house is no more paranoid than having a fire extinguisher in your house." Right both fires and the need for a firearm are rare events. The main problem with the analogy is that few young men commit suicide by fire extinguisher; few domestic quarrels are ended by someone picking up a fire extinguisher and using it on their spouse; a fire extinguisher accident means you have to wash, not go to the hospital or morgue. Except for those minor differences, having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen is exactly like having a pistol in your bedside table.Nonetheless, the authors don't spend too much time tooting the NRA's twisted line of nonsense or preparing people to fight off the Belgians coming in black UN helicopters. They have some sensible advice for folks who have decided that they must have a firearm handy. If you feel you must take that step, then these authors have something to say that might be of help.Oh, these are not the words of a friend or foe of firearms. I am just an acquaintance who has hunted, gone target shooting, owned multiple handguns, and held a CHL.

I picked this book up on an order that was near the boundary for free shipping. It had been on my Wishlist for a while since I had encountered Kathy online and seen that she always had good advice on forums. I didn't have high or low expectations really; I just bought the book to support Kathy.I was very pleased. The book reads very quickly. I finished it the same day that I received it (although I was up a bit late getting those last chapters done).I liked the format, which mixed stories of actual experiences with relevant ethical and legal implications. A couple of times I thought the connection between the anecdote and the legal discussion wasn't particularly tight, but I perceived that as the cost of making sure all of the important topics were discussed.The discussion of defense situations that don't go as planned, where everybody loses (including the good guys), was incredibly moving. I can't think of any other gun book that I have read that did that as well (and I have read a few). That anecdote and the following discussion are reason enough to buy the book. The gravity of lethal force encounters is very tangible in that story.This is the only gun book that my wife has ever read. Like me, she read it in a single day, cover to cover, and she was also impressed. I recommend the book to friends interested in concealed carry and application of lethal force.

Kathy Jackson and Mark Walters provide an outstanding overview of core legal, psychological and ethical issues that may be faced by someone put in the position of necessarily using force in self defense. There are plenty of books out there dealing with the tools and techniques. And there are some very technical studies on the subjects covered by Ms. Jackson and Mr. Walters. But it's good to see the "software" issues dealt with in such an accessible way.I found the format especially helpful. Mr. Walters tells the story of a particular real person's "bad day." We read about Mr. Walters' encounter with a would-be attacker who blocked his car in traffic. We read about the politician who opposed legislation allowing honest citizens to carry a gun -- until his own run in with an armed mugger. We read about the man who was shot at in a friend's backyard, and you had to shoot back to survive. We read these and four more stories of ordinary people who found themselves in an unsought violent struggle for survival.And Ms. Jackson then shows us what can be learned from the event. She tells us somethings about the laws of using force for self defense. She talks to us about making the highly personal decision to go about armed (where legal). She introduces us to the self defense mindset. And she explores with us some of the physiological and psychological affects one may experience during and after a violent encounter.Definitely well worth reading.

Listen folks, I have 20 years of firearms experience. Just to get that out of the way. Now lsten to me, this books' title does it no justice. You may be thinking, ok "stories of people who had shooting situations". Further from the truth. This book is filled with so much information and great information at that, you won't put the book down until you are done.Now when you read this book, don't get all he-man on the world and feel you are ready to handle anything. Altough you will feel better about going out and have a better outlook, make sure to be smart about getting a professional class from a live competent instructor.Again the book is great, I am not a friend, or paid advertiser for this book. Just a guy who read the reviews and figured I would give it a go and I tell you the money was well spent on this one...Get this book and learn something from it...