Ceremonial Etiquete and Knockdown Power
Now that Confucius has been brought into the debate we must review our history of philosophy to determine a most true solution to this riddle concerning the 9...
We harken back to the meeting with Lao Tsu, contemporary & author of The Right Use of The Way of Life...
Confucius in his heyday went to consult Lao Tsu on a point involving correct ceremonial etiquette which in Chinese philosophy ties in to the pursuit of illumination by connecting the individuated soul to the universe.
Lao Tsu did not believe in ceremonial etiquette. He was a radical teacher in many ways for the times. Confucius came away from the meeting very impressed...When he arrived back to his disciples, he told them, "Today I have met a dragon!"
Therefore, how do we asses the 9?
Consider when Jesus met the centurion who asked him to heal his servant who was ill. The respect and quality of devotion that this Roman military leader displayed led Christ to admit that he had not found such great faith amongst the Hebrews.
Now as we work to apply wisdom to choice of caliber for self-defense we must contemplate many sources, events & spiritual powers.
The National Rifle Association gives us several firm guidelines: Shoot the largest caliber you can control. Use defensive accuracy that spans the range of a standard piece of typing paper - shooting for center-mass, rather than trying to aim for a pin-point, and use multiple shots preferably in double tap rhythm until the threat is stopped.
True defensive wisdom brings us to the balance of speed, accuracy & stopping power. It is important not to depend on one well-placed shot, but to shoot controlled pairs with a caliber that you can perform nice follow-up with until the assailant is on the ground. When we train this way, 9mm attains to its greatness as a self-defense cartridge. The powerful, angry, muscled-up from prison weightlifting, on methamphetamine criminal attacker may require 5 or so 9mm rounds where one or two 45 acp's will suffice. This is fine, just understand the balance of speed, accuracy & stopping power.