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It's an instinctive response. You can tell someone it's coming - unless they're extremely well-trained, they move to protect themselves from the incoming projectile. I didn't say it's an ideal situation - you will note that compliance was the first resort I listed - and I did note that someone who is that good won't fall for it. But it's a very viable tactic if you are forced to make a run for it.

Which is a large part of why it's a last resort. There is that risk, but if you turn and break without the distraction, I can guarantee the response will include puloling the trigger, and his aim will be a lot better.

It's a bit off topic - but in the circumstances of muggers.

Where I grew up most of our muggers oddly enough, used knives, shivs, box cutters and the like.

Now in new Mexico, 75% of the male population are 15-18 year old boys between the height of 5'4" - 5'10" and around weights of 99lbs - 130lbs.

I learned pretty quickly walking home from school that if you gett accosted by a 5'4" guy with a box cutter - you can pretty much just stomp their a** and be on your merry way, skill is a very SMALL matter when one of the oppoents is four times the other's size.

As for gun defense - practicality rules. If someone has a .45 super in my face, he's getting my wallet either way, cause frankly I LIKE my face.

But if I were forced... well I'd shift into his instep and put his hand in a reverse wrist lock, when you twist the wrist to the extreame, the tendons that control the fingers spasm, and thus causing the hand to lose grip.

Now this is still a BAD idea, cause all he has to do is shoot you once, there is a large amoutn of sheer LUCK invovled in this scenario.

Erk. meant to add another line on that, noting that, while it didn't always work, 90% of the time, it avoided a violent altercation, and I kept my wallet.

Trouble is with bullets are that once they enter your body they can ricochet of bone and move off in a different directions in your body.

I've got friends who have been in the forces and have seen instances of this happen. One guy I know, his mate died while they both served in Bosnia (sp). He got shot in his leg and the bulllet ricochet of his femur and came out near his shoulder.

Imagine the damage that bullet could cause while travelling through your body. Nice.......

If I thought the person holding a gun at me wouldn't actually kill me if I didn't provoke it, I think I'd give them the money or whatever. But, if it appeared as though they'd kill me anyway, and then take my cash, then I'd make them earn it.

Not only that but he also gets to smell the contents of my bowls going down my leg.........