This book will take you on a revealing journey. Why do we believe that an armed stranger is our main threat when we are twice as likely to die from a traffic accident or fall? Sadly, violent crime victims are often injured by people they know who hurt them at or near the victim's home, according to violent crime statistics. The author, Clay Escobedo Olsen, uses crime statistics from verifiable sources and fictional stories, called "Storytime," to guide the reader in exploring these ideas on survival and defense. He exposes "uncomfortable truths" when the analysis goes against prevailing wisdom, such as the stranger-danger example above. For self-defense, guns are not the only or even the best option. For many civilians, carrying a firearm concealed for protection can be more harmful than beneficial. Holistic self-defense takes into account the benefits and possible harms of various self-defense techniques and shows you how to analyze them yourself to create the right strategy for your unique situation. You will learn that and much more. -Why we believe what we do about violent crime -What crimes are rare, and what crimes are more common -Is the concealed carry of a firearm the only self-defense method? -How can we reduce our chances of becoming a victim of crime? -De-escalation techniques for out of control encounters -How to tell if someone you know may victimize you -How to defend your home and protect your valuables -Which home defense hacks will make you safer and which may endanger yourself or your family -How to safely interact with law enforcement -Possible legal ramifications of defending yourself -How to do your own research If you are considering how to better defend your home and how to defend your family inside and outside the home, Beyond Weapons-A Holistic Guide to Self-Defense will instruct you in making solid, data based decisions on how best to accomplish your goal of keeping those you love safe from violent crime.