Book Review - Defensive Use of Firearms

Defensive Use of Firearms is a short book on self-defense by Stephen P. Wenger. To be honest a large portion of it concerns standard topics that can be found in any number of books of this type, mindset, tactics, equipment, legal issues, etc. His advice is sound, no doubt, and consists mostly of common sense measures that will help you be better prepared for a life threatening encounter. If you have read other self-defense books I am sure you will be familiar with most of the topics within.

One area where Mr. Wenger does depart from the norm is with regards to shot placement. Most self-defense instructors teach their students to target the upper torso in an attempt to hit a vital organ, lungs, heart, major arteries, or if you're real lucky the head or central nervous system. It is the predominant view these days and it has become almost a religious doctrine, not to be questioned. Mr. Wenger does question it though. He believes that your best chance at stopping an attack is to target the pelvic region, specifically to damage the bones and joints there that will immediately bring an attacker down. He certainly isn't the first to advance this view. I doubt he will be the last either because the idea has merit.

I am recommending this book. Even if you don't agree with all of Mr. Wenger's theories I think this book might still help you, if for no other reason than to make you defend what you believe about your self-defense tactics, and why you believe it.