Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense [Paperback]

Chris Bird (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

This collection of true stories examines incidents involving the use of firearms by ordinary citizens for personal protection against criminals. Three basic types of events are discussed: armed defense at home, at work, and in a public place. Each episode is explored in detail, with a look at the citizen involved as well as how their defensive actions aided them or could be improved. From convenience-store robberies to police arrests gone awry, these stories provide memorable reminders of firearm self-defense dos and don'ts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is much to be learned from Chris' painstaking, detailed research. I recommend this book highly."  —Massad Ayoob, director, Lethal Force Institute

"Wow! 'Riveting' may be an overused word...but it is perfectly descriptive of the stories that Chris has compiled."  —Suzanna Hupp, Texas state representative

"Great true stories that spark a self-analytical What would I have done?"  —Jerry Patterson, Texas land commissioner

"If you don't own a firearm for personal protection, you need to read this book."  —Combat Handguns magazine

"The humanity of Bird's subjects . . . left me with a warm feeling toward these survivors, and regrets for the one who did not make it."  —Women & Guns magazine

"I am deeply impressed with the book by Chris Bird."  —GunNews

"Like I said, ya gotta read the book. It's a purchase I don't think you'll regret."  —American Handgunner magazine

About the Author

Chris Bird is the author of The Concealed Handgun Manual, a former police reporter for the San Antonio Express-News, a certified concealed-handgun instructor, and a director of the Texas Concealed Handgun Association. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Privateer Publications (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965678458
• ISBN-13: 978-0965678452
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Critical Knowledge is Freedom, June 18, 2009

By 

Charles C. Schwartz "doctorxring" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense (Paperback)

This is a well written book. It reveals much about the criminal attitude, self defense preparedness, the psychological impact of shooting incidents, the aftermath of the incidents, and critical examination of
these incidents. Your mind and body must be prepared if you want to protect yourself from violent
crime. Certain decisions need to be made before you are attacked. You won't have time to engage in
philosophy when only seconds remain for you to act. The incidents reported here are varied enough
to give you some important things to think about. If you are on a search to obtain critical knowledge
about protecting yourself and/or your loved ones and also being a responsible citizen, then this book
is for you. Thanks Chris Bird. Job well done !

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Much Needed Dose of Truth, May 17, 2009

By 

S. Peek (Rocky Mountains, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense (Paperback)

In this relatively short (307 pages) book, author Chris Bird has done what the news media has failed to do with all of its massive resources - tell the truth about the incredible effectiveness of firearms for self defense.

Rather than revealing the amazing positive statistics and stories of these encounters, the establishment reporters have done just the opposite. They have portrayed a totally one sided picture of the relatively few misuses of guns and ignored the literally millions of protective uses of these weapons by American citizens.

As Mr. Bird states: 'According to various academic studies, each year at least a couple of million ordinary citizens use firearms in response to criminal attack or threat. In only a very small percentage of cases is the gun actually fired.' That is incredible. It is a travesty that this is not broadcast wide and far.

In this volume, the author chronicles the stories of fourteen of these average people who protected themselves and/or others with firearms. The situations and outcomes are vastly different, but there is a common thread: Ordinary people effectively warding off criminal attacks.

Most people in this country have been conditioned to believe that they should simply call the police when in danger and all will be well. This book will help dispel that notion. I highly recommend it. Another one that everyone should read is Dial 911 and Die. This is certainly not for men only. Mr. Bird also cites the research showing that women actually have much more to gain in safety than men by keeping and/or carrying a firearm.

This is a must read for anyone who is concerned about improving his/her own safety as well as that of family members.

22 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, June 7, 2007

By 

B. Everitt "I like books!" (East Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense (Paperback)

This book was recommended by a shooting instructor and it was exactly as he described. This books tells of people that showed/used a gun to diffuse different situations and had very different outcomes. Like most books it has ordinary citizens getting through situations just by brandishing a gun. Unlike other books it also shows some of the places where bad things happen to good people. This book was a real eye opener.