The plain simple truth is that martial arts have their limitations, and anyone who tells you differently is a fool. If you're really serious about self defense, you need to consider making firearms part of your self defense training, and if you do carry a weapon you need martial arts to truly be prepared for close combat.
One of the most persistent myths about Oriental self-defense(MA) is that they remove the need for weapons training. The fact is outside of three feet you're dealing with a gun fight, and inside of three feet you have a real fight on your hands. Many people genuinely believe that they have to choose between gun ownership, and martial arts self defense training, but they're wrong. Oriental self-defense(MA) and weapons training work well together to keep you and your loved ones safe.
When primitive muskets were introduced to the samurai by Dutch and Portuguese traders, they didn't abandon their bows or swords, but they began issuing the new weapon to their infantry. Even Saigo Takamori, who led the Satsuma Rebellion that was depicted in the film The Last Samurai, taught firearms training in his MA schools. In actuality the rebel samurai all cared firearms in addition to their traditional weapons, and the new imperial army had many samurai serving as officers. The combinations of fire arms and Oriental self-defense(MA) led to many brutal close combat fights between the rebels, and government forces before the end of the rebellion.
The pioneers of close combat in World War II, who brought martial arts to the military, didn't neglect weapons training. Self defense expert William E. Fairbairn who studied various martial arts, and had a black belt in Kodokan Judo was also a great proponent of realistic firearms training. During his law enforcement, and military career he taught his students how to survive actual combat by using guns, knives, and martial arts. When he met up with Rex Applegate during the war, Applegate was already teaching similar techniques, but with Fairbairn's self defense training he and his troops became even more deadly. Both men understood that in order to be ready for combat, a warrior had to be deadly with and without weapons.
Over the years I have met many martial artists who own firearms, and they've armed themselves for several reasons. Some acknowledge that their sport martial arts training won't help them in a street fight, so in addition to self defense training they carry a weapon. Others say it is because real fights are simply unfair, and if you're dealing with many attackers, a firearm can quickly deter them, giving you time to escape. Most commonly though, it is because they have a limited range, and you can't always wait for attackers to get close. Also martial arts help your speed and reflexes that are necessary to win a gunfight.
Those who say Americans are a violent, and gun crazed don't know what they're talking about. The vast majority of Americans who lawfully own firearms are like you, they're patriotic law abiding citizens, who want to protect themselves, and their families, and if need be their country. By training in martial arts you will be better able to protect yourself when weapons are out of reach. You can't take your weapons every where, but you can still be ready for close combat.
For a long time there has been a rift between "gun guys," and "martial arts guys," and it is stupid. To be effective, and survive in close combat you need both good weapons and self defense training. Neither one replaces the other so divide your time between the range, and the martial arts school. Both martial arts and shooting are about being in the right mindset, to do what you need to do to survive, and by understanding both, your odds only improve.
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