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Self-Defense, Security, and Martial Arts Blog

Initial Aggressor Doctrine in Self-Defense

The initial aggressor doctrine is a legal doctrine that holds that a person who initiates a physical confrontation loses the right to claim self-defense. This ...
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300 Reasons to Learn to Defend Yourself

If you haven’t seen the movie 300 yet, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s almost 20 years old by now, but it’s an entertaining, ...
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More NY Residents are Worried About Being a Victim of Crime than Not

According to the results of a recent Siena College poll, public safety has emerged as a major concern among the majority of New Yorkers, with ...
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Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting and Robbing Women He Met on Snapchat

A Chicago man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting and robbing women he met online. Kashaun Massey, 23, was denied bail on Friday ...
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Are You Facing a Trained Fighter, Street Scrapper, or Novice?

There are a few key differences between a trained fighter, a street scrapper, and a novice. Trained fighters have typically received formal training in a martial ...
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When Is Your Training Resume Enough?

I saw a great meme the other day on Instagram. “If you were looking to hire someone to provide security to your family, and you ...
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Turkey Attack on Mail Carrier?

The Postman’s Motto “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” appears ...
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Pepper Spray Not Recommended? Are You Serious?

Last week I was talking to a parent of one of the teenagers I teach martial arts to. It came up in conversation that besides ...
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Self-Defense: Learning from Theory, Practice, and Mistakes

Learning is a complex process that involves a variety of factors, including our cognitive abilities, our prior knowledge, and our motivation. However, three essential key ...
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Would Mace Pepper Spray Work on a Goose?

I have only had BlackBeltDefender.com running for a few months now. But several years back I had another similar site with a different name.  I ...
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Woman Assaulted in Nashville, Fights Back

A woman was physically assaulted while walking in Nashville on Saturday night, June 24, 2023. The incident occurred in the 400 block of 24th Avenue ...
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Beach Safety: Does Pepper Spray Work on a Shark?

A while back I was asked if pepper spray was effective against a goose. I may have to resurrect that blog post.  But the quick ...
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Since 1776, America’s Favorite Pastime: Self-Defense and Fighting Back

Happy 4th of July! The United States of America was founded on the principle of self-defense. The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are ...
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Carjacking Self-Defense: Fight Back or Run Away?

Carjacking is a topic that is increasingly becoming a major concern in different cities around the world. It is an act of stealing a car ...
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How Can John Wick Teach You Self-Defense?

The John Wick movies are a great example of how martial arts can be used for self-defense. However, it is important to remember that the ...
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Summer Weather Theft Warning

As the summer heat continues, it’s important to be aware of the increased risk of opportunistic theft. Thieves are more likely to target homes and ...
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What is a Reasonable Person?

A reasonable person is a hypothetical individual who is used as a standard of conduct in negligence law. The reasonable person is someone who is ...
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Product Review: Heart Attack Self-Defense Keychain

The Heart Attack Self-Defense Keychain is a small, lightweight keychain that can be used as a weapon for self-defense. It is made of durable ABS ...
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Proactive High School in NY Adds Self-Defense to Phys. Ed. Program

Dansville High School in New York is incorporating self-defense into its physical education curriculum in an effort to help students stay safe and confident. The ...
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Non-Lethal Self-Defense: 7 Reasons Why You Should Care

As humans, we are wired with an innate desire to protect ourselves and those around us. This drive has been ingrained into our brains from ...
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Future of Serial Killing: End or Resurrection of an Era?

When flipping through endless lists of popular movies or shows on streaming services, it’s hard not to notice the prevalence of stories about serial killers. ...
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Fight of the Century: Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg

Who would win an MMA cage match, Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk? That’s an interesting question.  On paper, It is difficult to say who would ...
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Product Review: Wildfire Pepper Spray Hard Case Keychain

Are you constantly concerned about your safety while you are out and about, or do you regularly travel or work in high-risk neighborhoods? Solve your ...
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So When is This Self-Defense Thing Gonna Happen?

It’s natural to question the practicality of preparing for something that might never happen, whether self-defense-related or something else. Even the most dedicated of individuals ...
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Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

The phrase “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is a martial arts adage derived from the Navy SEALs, that emphasizes the importance of accuracy, precision, ...
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Arizona Man Killed by Bear in Unprovoked Attack

A 66-year-old man was killed by a bear in a “highly uncommon (in Arizona),” unprovoked attack on Friday, June 16, 2023. Steven Jackson, of Tucson, ...
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Principles and Basics of American Kenpo Karate

American Kenpo Karate is a self-defense system that was developed in the United States by Ed Parker in the early 1950s. It is a hybrid ...
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Friend or Foe? Acquaintance Self-Defense

Most of the time, individuals in the defensive training community often discuss criminals as though they are unfamiliar, unknown persons. It is usually the jogger ...
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Good Samaritans Soon to Be a Thing of the Past?

Good Samaritans are people who help others in need, even when they are not obligated to do so. They may intervene in a self-defense situation ...
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Be The Most Prepared Person in The Room

Being the most prepared person in the room when it comes to self-defense and emergency preparedness can give you a sense of confidence and control, ...
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5 Common Self-Defense Myths Debunked

Myths and misconceptions can prevent individuals from investing in self-defense tools that could potentially save their lives. Therefore, we have compiled a list of five ...
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Product Review: Fang Keychain Stun Gun and Flashlight

The Fang Keychain 60 Million Volt Stun Gun and Flashlight is a truly impressive self-defense device. Its engineers put a lot of thought and effort ...
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Sinking to the Level of Your Training

“Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training. That’s why we train so hard.” This is a ...
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Serial Killer Profile: John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer who murdered 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978 in Chicago, Illinois. He was also ...
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Self-Defense Pepper Spray Myths and Facts

Pepper spray, an increasingly popular choice for many individuals seeking a sense of security and empowerment, is a highly effective self-defense tool. Unfortunately, there are ...
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Stop the Bleed, Save a Life

“Stop the Bleed” is an essential and impactful national awareness campaign that seeks to educate the public on how to control bleeding during emergencies. Notably, ...
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The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

An old man was eating lunch at a truck stop when a trio of rough-looking bikers strolled in. As they passed by the old man’s ...
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Portland Serial Killer? Or String of Coincidences in Oregon?

Police in Oregon are urging caution as people wonder if a serial killer is on the loose. Since February 2023, six women have been found ...
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Self-Defense Flashlights: A Safe and Effective Way to Protect Yourself

In today’s world, being prepared for anything is more important than ever. Whether walking home from work late at night or jogging in the park, ...
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