Do I Feel Lucky?

Are you learning or know how to disarm an attacker with a weapon? The featured weapon of choice in most martial-art schools is the receiver-friendly rubber knife. Most novice trainees have been shown at least a couple of basic knife disarming techniques. To be honest, some of these moves are predicated on the notion that the knife wielder has no clue how to properly handle their weapon. The way of the knife is an art. Elite military personnel take their knife fighting skills to a level that would render most McDojo self-defense techniques utterly useless. The saying "never bring a knife to a gunfight" should be a reminder that everything is relative. How would an unarmed martial artist fare against a gunslinger? Would you actually consider trying to take out somebody brandishing a Glock 22 or a .357 Magnum? The following is in part an excerpt taken from The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story, by Chuck Norris with Joe Hyams:

David Glickman, a prominent defense attorney from years ago, asked Chuck Norris to help out with a murder trial he was involved with. The story is that the defendant arrived home from work early one day to find his wife in bed with another man. The husband immediately retrieved a gun from a dresser drawer. Jumping out of bed, the lover charged him. The dutiful husband, who knew that this man was a black belt in karate, shot and killed him. Glickman's plan of defense was to show that a karate expert's skill should be considered lethal. Therefore, the husband acted in self-defense. Norris was called to the stand as a professional witness on behalf of the defense. He was then cross-examined by the assistant district attorney.

DA: Do you expect the court to believe that a black belt in karate would have a chance against a man with a gun?

NORRIS: It's possible. It would depend on the distance.

DA: How about ten feet?

NORRIS: If the gun was not already cocked and aimed, I believe it is possible.

At this point, the DA asked Norris to step down from the stand and wait in front of the jury. The DA produced an unloaded gun and showed it to the jury. Standing next to Norris, he then paced off ten feet, as if reenacting a duel.

DA: I'd like you to stop me before I can cock and fire the gun.

Acting on instructions from the DA, the bailiff shouted "Now!" Like a flash of lightning, Norris sped across the courtroom and placed his foot on the DA's chest. Norris thoughtfully pulled the full power of the kick to avoid hurting the prosecutor.

DA: My thumb slipped. Let's do it again.

This is our tax dollars at work. Norris, standing relaxed with his hands at his side, waited for the command. When the bailiff gave the word, Norris once again closed the distance at light speed, gently planting his foot on the chest of the DA before the gun was cocked. As if that wasn't enough, Norris, with the help of an assistant, proceeded to break some boards to demonstrate the power of karate kicks. The defendant was acquitted.

What's interesting is that in certain cultures the husband's actions would have been seen as totally justified. Naturally it could be argued that had the husband not reached for a gun, the adulterous black belt would have had no reason to jump him. If anyone was acting in self-defense, it was the karate guy. If your martial arts instructor is showing you how to disarm an attacker with a gun, tell her/him about this story. Remember, only Superman is faster than a speeding bullet. And of course, Chuck Norris.