If you get robbed at gun point, do you really want to risk your life to save your purse?

At a college out west, this very scenario played out recently. (read full story here)

It doesn’t matter whether this crime was on campus or off, in the grocery store parking lot or anywhere else.

Do you really want to risk your life to protect your purse or wallet?

Let me explain.

They have a gun, you have a purse (or wallet).  Thinking of rock, paper, scissors, they win.

• Let them have your purse and rather then resist (do you really want to be shot or stabbed over a purse or wallet?
• Use your energy to remember their faces, anything they say that could identify themselves and their clothing.
• Get out of there quickly, scream, run, flee…
• Call the police and relay as much information that could help them identify the perpetrators
• Pat yourself on the back for not defending your pride at the cost of your life

You may even get your purse back, minus your money.

In this scenario, you get to choose what kind of crime statistic you want to be (robbed, assaulted or murdered)  Personally, I’d choose robbed.

Credit cards can be stopped pretty quickly, photos, digital photos, etc, can probably be replaced and cash, most don’t carry enough to be tragic if lost.

How to avoid making a fatal error in judgment as the woman in the article referenced (“Luckily,” she was pistol whipped and not shot).

Consider a few scenarios and whether you’re defending yourself, family or your pride.

1. One or more people try to rob you and they have a weapon – let them have the purse, wallet, car.  Is your life really worth it?

2.  Someone attempts to hurt you or someone with you?  Try to talk them out of it, but if it’s clear they intend harm, move fast and furious.  Release your inner rage.

Remember, sometimes the best self-defense is no defense.

Provide the object of the crime (assuming it’s a material thing) and take in all the information you can about the perpetrators.

You always want to see how to turn the crime statistics upside down.  Make them a statistic – make them another idiot arrested for a botched crime.