Senior Citizens, Hand Guns and Self Defense

It is not an unusual occurrence to have people come through my CCW classes that are in their 70's.  My oldest student was an 83 year old great grandmother and retired banker.  She first took a Basic Pistol class (a good idea for some one with little or no hand gun experience) and later for the CCW class did fine on the range and written test.  She decided not to apply for the CCW permit because as she put it, "I don't get out much". Plus the $100. fee for the Sheriff's Background check is expensive on a small fixed income.

There are many advantages a senior citizen has to offer from a self defense stand point.  These advantages are: maturity with decision making based on decades of life experiences, most of the men have military experience and the discipline structure has stayed with them, calmness under stress, determination, and perseverance. They made it this far in life haven't they?

Some disadvantages of age are the degradation of some physical capabilities, slowed reaction time, sometimes hearing and sight problems, and arthritis. Concerning slowed reaction time and decreased physical capabilities many issues can be resolved by simple exercises, walking, and getting physically active. Bad knees and hips can make moving in a defensive manner difficult.

Avoidance and the ability to retreat quickly is always the best option in a gun fight.  Exercise like the life of your spouse, the grand kids, and your life depend on it.  Because one day they might.

I have found that working with people of a mature age arthritis has been the biggest challenge towards manipulating a hand gun and it's controls.  Arthritis in the hands makes it difficult to bend the fingers to get a good grip or pull the trigger back.  Find a good fire arms instructor  that will teach at your pace and can guide to to the type of pistol that is best for your abilities. A firearms instructor with gray hair is a good person to start with.

If you have joint or muscle issues meet with a physical therapist or trainer at a local gym.  If a trainer or therapist is not supportive of  your right to self defense or owning a hand gun tell him or her you are getting ready to play on a .38 caliber baseball team.  A fire arms instructor will tell you one grips the pistol like a base ball bat.  You don't have to tell anyone what the "bat" looks like and the team you are joining is the Sheep Dog's team.  Anyone that has been through a CCW class can tell you what the role of a "Sheep Dog" is.

 An experienced and competent firearms instructor will also be honest with you if your physical capabilities  can safely operate a hand gun. Capabilities that also includes one's mental and emotional state.   What is needed are people of all ages who can safely operate a hand gun appropriate to their capabilities coupled with good decision making abilities.  If there is any doubt, one should consider a non lethal defensive tool such as Pepper Spray.

Self defense skills, including the use of a firearm can be taught to a variety of ages and physical capabilities.    People disabled from birth with one functioning arm and confined to a wheel chair have been taught to effectively defend them selves with a fire arm.  A competent fire arms instructor will be honest & gentle but absolutely honest with you.  Self defense with a hand gun isn't for everyone.

Here is a story of a 71 year old hero and his encounter with two armed thugs.  The story was originally reported in the  South Florida Sun Sentinel ^ | 6/29/2007. 

Plantation, Florida: Last week police were called to investigate an attempted armed robbery: The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, Florida, Subway shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former helicopter pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, and he works out every day. Mr.. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night.

According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N. Pine Rd. just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner, Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.

When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop, K-9 Units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department..

Both men were taken to the Broward General Medical Center , where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.

A longtime friend of Lovell was not surprised to hear what happened. The friend said, ''He'd give you the shirt off his back, but he'd be mad as hell if someone tried to take the shirt off his back.''

Mr. Lovell was a pilot in the Marine Corps, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta Airlines.

He is not expected to be charged authorities said. ''He was in fear for his life,'' Detective Rettig said, "These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."  Florida law allows eligible citizens to carry a concealed weapon.