The meaning of present martial arts has change?

Question

Since guns are mainly used in battles, is there a usefulness in Martial Arts? I have background in martial arts, but I don't feel there is a need to practice them anymore. I just think it is overrated. What is the point? If someone comes up to me and pops one on my head, then where is the use of my skills? Don't give all that crap about self-defense or knowledge you gain from the arts to avoid the situation. Martial Arts were created for only one reason, to train people to fight and kill. Have almost all martial arts these days lost their ways? Maybe not, Muay Tai or some grappling arts stand out. Still, these arts are minor compare to the past Arts. Most martial artists used mixed martial arts and trained to handle similar styles that they would simply be able to get out of any grappling or straight fighting situations back then. Today, it became too commercialized that I wouldn’t be surprised when Japanese or Korean fighters lose matches against grappling or Tai fighters.Any thought?

I know that Japanese and Korean have grappling styles, but they are still stagnant compare to the styles they used back then.

Just to add few more details. I should have been clear.

1. When I was talking about gun is that when you lived back then did not have guns (periods when swords were main frame of war). So, you would only defend against knives and swords and other weapons that can be managed by human being. I'm not sure how many time you have seen it, but I have never saw a person dodging bullets. In addition, you are likely to be on the ground when someone pulls out a gun, not wait untill bullet runs out. Are you guys too much into action movies that you cannot tell the reality? 2. I'm not sure who you have fought before. But I was talking about disciplines and matches. You are likely to not learn any lethal moves in MA. Of course, if you do, then you would be deadly, which also prove my point that there is almost no use for traditional M/A. If you fight against well trained or even just okay muay tai or grappling fighters, you won't have much of chance. That should be a shame since those disciplines

WWI and WWII, you just proved my point. Soldiers did not use traditional M/A in WWI and WWII. Today, I don’t think you will see that soldiers learn traditional M/A as requirement, but as supplement. Grappling and street fighting styles were used during these wars. They were simple techniques to kill and kill. Like you said, trench shovels were used mostly. What you might be practicing wouldn’t have a chance during those days.

Yes, People you know might not have guns, but people don’t usually get afraid by people they hang around or be around with. Normally, people you don’t know will rob a convenient store and banks. Yes, it does happen often in bad neighborhoods. One M/Artist told me about a situation once. “ when I guy pulled out a gun in the store, all I could think of was to stay low and give him what he want.” Yes, he is in his 30’s and practiced the arts since 5 or something. Best thing is to stop him from shooting a single round since some might get hurt, including you.

Me, I lived in Korea. And tell you the truth, I got into more fights than most of you. Maybe not as much as the soldier who wrote the first comment. They don’t have guns or you will not see them easily like the U.S. You can’t just go buy yourself a gun from sporting store. I know what fight is all about and what M/A is all about. What I’m saying is that in the U.S., there is nearly no point. If 5 guys jump on you, then you will never have a chance. Unless you trained like my father back in the days. Recently, I went to a liquor store and I saw a big scene. If I had got there 5 min. early, I would have been shot. 10 or more gang members had a shootout with fully loaded automatics. From that point on, M/A my ***, I not Neo. Maybe I should just stay in dry city. At the end, I came to a conclusion that gun is superior and we don't TKD and many Japanese present M/A do not teach the same techniques as before. In mixed matches, I wouldn't have much of chance unless I move around and

practice M/A and really take some beatings. This is another conclusion after I went from TKD to Gumdo to Karate to Jujitsu. Jujitsu was most affective, but still the discipline was too stagnant. It used to be one discipline with varieties. Now, you don't see anything like that anymore. There are some TKD instructors who understand this issue and they are applying kickbox and grappling styles to TKD. It is good to hear, but who else does that these days?

never mind, as the result from last comment, I guess it is hard for me to distinguish my question. I'll just close this question. And, traditional M/A is more lethal than anything we practice today.

Answer 1

You make some good points , however I am an American soldier . If my weapon malfunctions , I have to be able to defend myself with my hands . The way things are going in the world at this point in time , I think everyone should learn some self defense . I agree that some martial styles are stagnated , I blame this on teachers who want to be everyones friend not their instructor . ( there are some other reasons : too many to list actually) Some still practice the war arts , but most people practice self defense or sport fighting . Nothing wrong with that , after all some knowledge is better then none. Martial arts may be somewhat over rated , but does that render them totally useless ?No. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion .

Answer 2

Do you carry a gun in your hand at all times? If not MA might save your life. MA is about a lot more than fighting. That's what the "Do" is all about. You have a background in fighting, not true Martial Arts. Learn the difference.

Answer 3

yeah i have 2 agree a gun can stop any martial artist... if u hit them BUT that gun (if a pistol) only has around 7-9 bullets u don't understand it's not like the movies were the hero hits some1 with every bullet and kills them... but all i'm trying 2 get 2 is bullet run out! period and ur martial arts only runs out when u do... hope that made since.

Answer 4

So life is harsh, why live it then, as you might die. you see, your attitude is defeatist and even though it is true, why give up on martial arts because a lot of guns are going around?

the day that in a car accident you have no gun and they dont either, what is the point then? roll up and accept defeat?

I say keep training. by training yourself you can train others, like your partners, parents, children... and give them a sense of safety. guns are present, but not everywhere, and not always used. just because guns defeat training does not make training useless.

just because we die anyway, does that make life useless... or precious enough to live it fully?
traditional arts suck though, dont need a gun to see that.

Answer 5

Guns ARE martial arts.

Martial arts = the arts of MARS, MARS = the god of war.

Martial arts are a western term not an eastern one.

Guns are used for war, hands are used for war, knives are used for war.....

Answer 6

How funny... I got in fight twice and no one pull out a gun. Most people I know don't have gun. Most people doesn't carry gun on them 24/7. People usually carry gun if they're in lot of risk, but why would they want to start a fight if they perfer to avoid attention?

Also in WWI or WWII, more soldiers was killed with trench shovel than small firearm.