So you want to learn more about self-defense, but you're on a tight budget and can't afford a professional firearms training class right now. What to do? In addition to this website and to books I've written (Lessons from Armed America with Mark Walters, and The Cornered Cat: A Woman's Guide to Concealed Carry), you also want to get your hands on any or all of the following books. It will not take the place of in-person training from a qualified instructor, but it's a darn sight better than nothing!
The books are not listed alphabetically, nor by author. They are listed in the order in which I would purchase them if I were starting out as a new gun owner today.
What Every Gun Owner Needs to Know About Self-Defense Law by Marty Hayes
There's no excuse not to read this slim, streamlined booklet about self defense law from one of the leading experts in the field. It provides the basic outline of legal knowledge every armed citizen needs to know, and makes a handy little reference for people thinking about buying a gun for self defense. You can download this free booklet from the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network here.
In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob
An oldie now, but still the definitive before/during/after the shooting book. Most firearms books deal only with what you might need to know during a deadly force situation. This one explores the decisions you must make beforehand, the tactics and techniques you may need during the attack, and the fallout you may experience afterward. Essential information for the well-prepared citizen.
Personal Defense for Women by Gila Hayes
Written by a woman for women, this book walks someone who is thinking about getting a gun for self defense through the mindset, talks about making The Decision, discusses firearms and equipment selections, nomenclature, ammunition, grip/stance/sight picture, and more. Probably the best overview of the "deciding to be a gun owner" process out there, and the mindset discussion is particularly sane and well-directed toward ordinary human beings who are not wannabe warriors.
Gunproof Your Children by Massad Ayoob
A must-read if you have kids at home, whether you own firearms or not. It also makes a good gift book for dubious relatives who might otherwise worry about your children's safety when you decide to purchase a firearm.
The Concealed Handgun Manual by Chris Bird
This thick book (over 500 pages for the most current edition) provides an amazing treasure trove of information about concealed carry. It's a good read, too, because the author includes dozens of true life accounts and encouraging stories about people deciding to protect themselves. Those stories really pull you through the pages and help you grasp the reasons the author makes the recommendations he does.
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry by Massad Ayoob
A giant treasure trove of information, this large book—it's in 8x11 format—provides detailed pictures of concealed carry methods and the products that make those methods work. Understandably since the author is male, the book doesn't provide a lot of detail about "stuff for women," but it provides so much good general material that it's worth picking up anyway.
Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper
This classic little book discusses seven foundational principles without which a defender is unlikely to prevail. It is written in plain speech, with the Colonel's charmingly old-fashioned style. Many other personal protection books deal with the details and outward flourishes of firearms or defensive tactics. Cooper's little book is unusual because it cuts right to the heart of the issues, and instead discusses the foundational principles behind every successful defensive plan. Instead of giving the how of personal defense, this tiny volume explains why to select one defensive tactic rather than another.
Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force by David Klinger
This book is a heavy dose of sober reality as it appears to dozens of police officers who have killed people in the line of duty. Klinger draws a few conclusions, but mostly lets the officers tell their stories in their own words. While this is not light or easy reading, it promotes honest thought and provides a good and necessary reminder of exactly what it is you intend to happen when you pull the trigger. Not a good first book, but perhaps a necessary one for honest balance once you have accepted the burden of being armed for self-defense.
Deadly Force Encounters: What Cops Need To Know To Mentally And Physically Prepare For And Survive A Gunfight by Dr. Alexis Artwohl and Loren W. Christensen
Don't let the word "cop" in the title fool you—this book is as relevant to you as an armed citizen as it is to law enforcement officers. In it, you'll find crucial information about the effects of sudden stress on the human body, and learn ways to use that stress to help you fight and win against a determined attacker.
