As I sit here writing this I have several guns hidden in my house. One is in the kitchen in a #10 can (coffee can) sitting in plain sight. My wife uses many #10 cans in her cooking and in our food storage so this is not an unusual sight in her kitchen. Up until now I’ve felt that this is a fairly safe place. But my grandkids are getting older. They have been taught right but I know I can’t rely on that. I will soon have to find a better way of keeping weapons accessible. I know that I will receive flack for this and maybe they would be right. I know how resourceful children are. I have raised several of my own. I feel that I was lax with my own children and guns. They never got into them because whenever they wanted to see them and handle them I let them. They understood the safe gun rules and could quote them. They always practiced gun safety even with their air rifles and paintball markers. I made sure I drilled it into them. But I rarely locked up my guns. I am different with my Grandkids. I teach them gun safety but they don’t live with me. So I feel different about their training.
Hiding your guns is not a bad thing if they are safe from children. Even if you don’t have kids living in your home, there will be Grandkids or other children visiting. If you hide your guns for quick access, ensure that they are safe. Other than being up high (and that too can be a false sense of security), a quick access vault is the best. I can tell you I just visited my daughter’s home in another state. I know that she is able to handle guns safely but she is concerned about her kids. I had my gun on top of her refrigerator. She moved it to a top shelf in a closet. I went to look for that gun and it was not there. I then panicked. I started to remember back through that day when I had the gun in my pocket (in a pocket holster.) I thought I may have lost it in Walmart. I thought maybe I lost it somewhere in my daughter’s house! I was frantic and looked everywhere. I was about to call Walmart and warn my daughter that I may have lost a loaded gun in her home, when I found the gun. I had such a rotten feeling in my stomach! After that horrible ordeal of thinking I knew where my gun was (I work real hard to know its whereabouts at all times,) I decided to always bring a small lock box with me when I visit my children. My last visit with my other daughter went so much better even though quick access in their house was limited. Feeling safer about my guns is worth it to me.
Here is a list of 40 ways to hide your guns from the guys at Imminent Threat Solutions
https://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/40-unique-places-to-stash-firearms/
Hiding Places
1. Empty cereal box in pantry, back when I lived in the ‘hood’. Was hoping thieves wouldn’t be hungry! Kaboom cereal in Kill Bill
2. Hanging upside down from a hook under the bathroom cabinet, just above the door. Inside a closet (not a walk-in) up over the door. Most closets are “shallow” and while a Burglar might go thru your clothes and items on shelving, he probably won’t look straight-up over his head.
3. Behind a decorative blanket hung like a cheap tapestry
4. Non-locking hideaway picture frame.
5. False bottom in bedside drawer.
6. Fake electrical outlets.
7. Some folks split the upholstery seam on the rear of the passenger’s seat toward the driver–insert a small holster and appropriate handgun, sew Velcro on the seams to reseal.
8. Along with my storm door, my main entry door is steel with only a small window at the top. I have a nylon holster with my Colt Detective Special velcroed to the inside of the door, just above the doorknob, canted toward me about 45 degrees, when I open it. I can open the door to someone, & they never know my hand is just inches from a weapon. Should I invite them in, I simply close the storm door and leave the main door open, which puts the gun back against a wall and is never seen by a guest.
9. At my desk is a scanner. It has no guts. Lift up the top, and remove handgun.
10. A good method in general when you’re away from your home is to take whatever you want to hide, stash it in a garbage bag, and put it amongst dirty clothes. NO ONE looks through dirty clothes…unless they’re a perv…then they’re not usually looking to rob you in that case.
11. On the road, usually hide them in with my dirty underwear…… Go ahead, grab yourself a big handful of that!
12. One day when I was replacing the sagging cloth under the couch (you know, the flimsy cloth that covers the couch’s framework?), and realized it would be a great hiding spot. I was surprised by how much room there is under there. I got the dremel and hack saw out and after a little work; I made a horizontal system of hooks with belt fasteners (actually milsurp canvas belts) that can hold four rifles lengthwise. I also made a small wooden cubby-hole and screwed it to the framework near the arm rest. That’s where my barbeque revolvers go. Now it’s not a practical place to store your “go-to” weapons, but it is very discreet place to store your valuable rifles. I attached Velcro along the cloth and underside of the couch so all you have to do is flip the couch back, undo the Velcro and you have full access to your hidden rifles. It’s funny to have guests sitting on your couch, clueless to the fact that they’ve got four rifles and two S&W’s 9″ from their butts.
13. The Sportsman guide has a wall clock that opens up to store a med. to small handgun in. Runs about $55 after shipping. And the clock works!
14. Back when I lived in Chicago I used to keep a fairly short, folding-stock 12ga situated diagonally in a clean extra-extra large pizza box lodged between my trashcan and my kitchen cabinets. It looked like it was just trash waiting for trash-day…
15. In the closet, on a CHEAP plastic hanger (easily broken), (through the trigger guard, no round in chamber), covered with a button up shirt.
16. Under the towels in the master bath.
17. I met a woman today who’s designing a holster for a derringer that will go between her uh………….mammary glands……
18. In an inside jacket pocket on a jacket on a hook in the closet.
19. Under the skirt of a spare toilet paper girl in master bath where no guests go.
20. My brother in law hid his revolver in the brown paper grocery bags that he had folded next to his refrigerator — you know how they get stuck in that space between the cabinet and fridge. He put it in a bag and folded it up.
21. Between the window curtains and the wall above the windows. Can’t be seen from the outside and if your curtains are heavy, can’t be seen from the inside. Yet the gun can remain on a hook just waiting to be used.
22. I used to have a 12 gauge in a soft gun case hanging from a hook, centered on the back of my bedroom door. I would then throw/tuck/hang a flannel robe over it. I kept the door open, so no one ever noticed the added “heft” of the door.
23. Inside a trophy. If you lift up the brass plate it’s hollow inside. If it’s big enough, anyway. This one was one of my parent’s bowling trophies.
24. I used to keep an old Colt Police Positive in a Ziploc bag under some frozen veggies in my freezer. Can still shoot thru the bag…if ya need to…
25. I bought a good-sized pistol safe (a foot square, or a little bigger) that uses a credit card swipe to open electronically. I use an outdated credit card for it. I have the card hidden nearby, in a place that I don’t think anyone could accidentally find. Yet, it’s so close, that I’m positive that I can grab the card and swipe it faster than I could punch in a combo, even on a finger touch safe. It was less than $100 as well. You could carry a backup identical card in your wallet. Fingerprint ones now too.
26. Old shoebox under the bed at night. Gun safe when I leave the house during the daytime.
27. I did this at home and it works great! A typical nightstand or dresser has room between the drawers and the outer paneling. This opening is the thickness of the frame of the cabinet. I removed the bottom drawer, drilled a hole in front of the rear frame and inserted a wooden peg so that the gun is along the side of the cabinet. The peg is on an angle so that when the barrel is fully seated it creates a slight interference with the bottom of the opening. I have a Ruger SP101 .357 that fits perfectly onto the peg and is held tightly. The drawer can be pulled out and dumped, the whole nightstand could be dumped forward and the gun stays tightly in place. I know it is there and because I shoot it almost every weekend and can grab it without looking, however a bad guy would have to get down on all fours and shine a flashlight into the open to see it.
28. How about behind a vent or cold air return? Before I got a safe, I would put a cased pistol in the vent work. I placed it out of sight, so if they pulled off the vent cover, they couldn’t see it. The cold air return was next to the bed, so it was easy to get to in the night.
29. Dancers carry dance bags for shoes. One side pocket is exclusively reserved for a loaded Glock 29 in 10mm that is put inside a Fobus belt holster. This obviates any danger of putting a finger inside the trigger guard while withdrawing the handgun.
30. I use a small CD wallet to keep my trusty little Kel-Tec 380 and a reload in. Makes for a handy place to slip the pistol and holster into when I have to take it out of my pocket for a little while or while I’m driving…stick it right between the seat and console so it’s more accessible than being in my pocket.
31. I bought a/c grills at my old house and made boxes 4″ deep to fit in the stud walls, and placed them up towards the ceiling line like the old wall registers. That way they were high enough the boys couldn’t reach them but low enough my wife could. The grill stayed on with a rubber band. Was there 11 years and no one ever knew.
32. Ever thought of using an electrical box? I keep a spare set of keys in a dummy electrical disconnect box outside my house.
33. A/C vents/ducts/intakes. Usually A/C vents are mounted high and require a stool or ladder to get access. Unscrew panel, tuck in gun, replace panel.
34. While most of my firearms are in my safe, I have the usual few scattered out and hidden in strategic locations similar to those already mentioned. To add confusion to the would-be thief, I give him what he wants, upfront. To “express myself” I have several desirable nonfunctioning/unloaded firearms in plain sight as an art form. Upon arriving home, it’s easy to see if any of these are moved or missing, which would indicate that someone unwelcome has entered my home. If any of my “indicator guns” where disturbed/missing upon my arrival, I’d back out and call the Sheriff.
35. Another one that I have seen but not used is a hollowed out water heater complete with pipes that disappear into the wall. The door is hidden on the back side.
36. I keep a 1911 in an old boot that is with a bunch of other shoes on the floor of my closet.
37. I collect beer steins, and have a Davis 22mag derringer in my favorite one.
38. In a special place buried outside, just in case I come back to the house unarmed and have to defend it.
39. When we had tiling installed, I specifically created a false tile. Get on the floor? Sure, can you turn around for a second?
40. Pull the carpet back, grab a hammer & chisel and get to work!
These are all great ideas from the Crew at ITS, but make sure if you have children, or will have children visit your home, that you secure these guns as well as hide them. If you just store guns in some of these places ensure they are not loaded for storage. There are a lot of quick access vaults and safes out there on the market. An obvious safe sitting on a dresser will not secure your guns from theft, but will keep them safe from untrained and young hands.
Defending yourself is always a serious and heavy responsibility. Trying to be safe and still have access to your weapon is always a challenge. I hope some of these ideas can help you give you different ideas of how to keep your guns ready to use.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Overwatch: Drill Of The Month For January
Jan 2019
BILL DRILL (Bill Wilson)
Face Target – Fire 6 shots quickly – Only A Zone Hits Count.
The target for the drill may be a standard International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) target or an International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) target. Only hits in the “A” Zone count (Down 0 Zone in IDPA) for this drill. The “A” Zone on an IPSC target measures 6 x 11 inches. The center body ring (Down 0) on an IDPA target is about a 9″ circle, with the head ring (Down 0) being about 6 x 6 inches. So you can make an IPSC or IDPA target “A” Zone (Down 0) target yourself. I use a 9″ paper plate for the body target and 4″x 5″ index card for the head target. You can also use a regular white sheet of paper and measure 6 x 11 or the other dimensions and then cut that target out and staple it to a cardboard backing.
This seemingly simple drill teaches you to develop a smooth trigger pull because if you jerk your trigger you are not going to get all 6 shots on the target. It teaches you how to manage recoil and also how to track your sights.
Practice this drill often because in a real life encounter, where deadly force is justified, you probably will be doing this drill, i.e. drawing your gun fast and firing multiple shots quickly. If you can fire quick and accurate shots in practice, then hopefully you can do it when it really counts.
This is from the famed Bill Wilson of IDPA and Wilson Combat fame.
Bill Wilson has always been infatuated with guns. Originally trained as a watchmaker, he has been in the firearms industry since 1974, starting out with a retail store called Sportsman's Headquarters in Berryville, Arkansas. Since that humble beginning, he has built Wilson Combat into the largest and most successful custom firearms company in America.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/
See “Overwatch: Drill of the Month” page for more drills
Friday, January 11, 2019
Check Your Bug Out Bag
It’s the beginning of a new year and maybe that’s a good time to check things that you have in place for emergencies.
BOB (Bug out bag)
GOOD bag (Get out of Dodge)
72 hour kit
Survival kit
Go bag
Emergency kit
Disaster kit
Battle box
3 Day kit
INCH (I’m never coming home)
QRB (Quick run bag)
PERK (Personal emergency relocation kit)
Evacuation bag
From my military days, E Bag
No matter what you call it, a Bugout Bag is a kit you have put together for an evacuation. I also have other kits that I keep up on. A get home bag to get me from work to home in a difficult situation. We have first aid kits in vehicles and at home.
It’s a good time of year to check the contents and replace what may need replacing.
I’ve seen recommendations that you check this bag every ¼ but I check ours semi-annually.
What are you looking for with this check?
Expiration dates. Most survival-type foods have a shelf life of 5 years but some may go bad before this time. Also medicines have an expiration date. Most medicines don’t actually go bad, but lose their potency. EPI pens, antibiotics, and over the counter or prescription drugs all have expiration dates. Some creams or ointments and wipes will dry up or go bad. Most of bandages expiration dates have to do with being sterile.
Batteries. Everyone knows batteries have a limited life even when they aren’t being used. They also can make a mess in electronics if left in the device too long. Hand cranked items are great in a bob but there are times you need batteries. Checking them will ensure they aren’t dead when you need them. An excellent preventive measure against batter drain is to store them in the electronic item with the two positive (+) ends of two batteries facing each other. This prevents any current passing through the dormant circuit and greatly reduces energy seeping from the stored batteries
Ammunition. I go through a lot of ammo. That means I have to buy a lot of ammo. I switch it out every check. Some may suggest to test some rounds but I just switch it out and then shoot what I switched out.
Also, review your evacuation plans and route in case some things may have changed. If you have family bags and kids make sure the clothes still fit or switch out for appropriate sizes. Maybe you now have elderly parents or in-laws living with you.
Your evacuation plans and bags should be evolving and changing. Trying to prepare for everything is not the easiest thing. But new gear or food may come on the market that will change some of your items.
Preparation is not something you can set and forget. It involves inspection, using, and adding to or taking away. A good idea might be a practice run to the country. Hiking and camping is a good opportunity to test your bug out bag.
Stay prepared!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
BOB (Bug out bag)
GOOD bag (Get out of Dodge)
72 hour kit
Survival kit
Go bag
Emergency kit
Disaster kit
Battle box
3 Day kit
INCH (I’m never coming home)
QRB (Quick run bag)
PERK (Personal emergency relocation kit)
Evacuation bag
From my military days, E Bag
No matter what you call it, a Bugout Bag is a kit you have put together for an evacuation. I also have other kits that I keep up on. A get home bag to get me from work to home in a difficult situation. We have first aid kits in vehicles and at home.
It’s a good time of year to check the contents and replace what may need replacing.
I’ve seen recommendations that you check this bag every ¼ but I check ours semi-annually.
What are you looking for with this check?
Expiration dates. Most survival-type foods have a shelf life of 5 years but some may go bad before this time. Also medicines have an expiration date. Most medicines don’t actually go bad, but lose their potency. EPI pens, antibiotics, and over the counter or prescription drugs all have expiration dates. Some creams or ointments and wipes will dry up or go bad. Most of bandages expiration dates have to do with being sterile.
Batteries. Everyone knows batteries have a limited life even when they aren’t being used. They also can make a mess in electronics if left in the device too long. Hand cranked items are great in a bob but there are times you need batteries. Checking them will ensure they aren’t dead when you need them. An excellent preventive measure against batter drain is to store them in the electronic item with the two positive (+) ends of two batteries facing each other. This prevents any current passing through the dormant circuit and greatly reduces energy seeping from the stored batteries
Ammunition. I go through a lot of ammo. That means I have to buy a lot of ammo. I switch it out every check. Some may suggest to test some rounds but I just switch it out and then shoot what I switched out.
Also, review your evacuation plans and route in case some things may have changed. If you have family bags and kids make sure the clothes still fit or switch out for appropriate sizes. Maybe you now have elderly parents or in-laws living with you.
Your evacuation plans and bags should be evolving and changing. Trying to prepare for everything is not the easiest thing. But new gear or food may come on the market that will change some of your items.
Preparation is not something you can set and forget. It involves inspection, using, and adding to or taking away. A good idea might be a practice run to the country. Hiking and camping is a good opportunity to test your bug out bag.
Stay prepared!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Clint Smith Safety Challenge
Clint Smith is the founder of Thunder Ranch in Lakeview Oregon. Clint puts out a newsletter monthly that is great.
If you are not aware Clint Smith has been a firearm instructor for many years at Thunder Ranch in Texas and Oregon, NPI, the original Gunsite Academy, and for a decade in law enforcement. He is known for his straight-forward, candid advice concerning shooting, self-defense, and tactical techniques.
Clint says:
“REVIEW THE FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
Can you say what the 4 are correctly and in proper order…first time through?”
Well what do you say? A new year is a good time to take stock and review the basics. So can you quote the four safety rules by heart?
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cross anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
4. Be sure of your target and beyond.
1. All guns are always loaded.
Sometimes I see this written “Treat all guns as if they are loaded.” This is a mistake in my opinion. “Treating” a gun as if it were loaded is quite different than the declarative “All”. This is a good foundation rule on which the others can stand.
2. Never let the muzzle cross anything you are not willing to destroy.
We have this rule because of Rule one. If the muzzle is pointed at anything that is of value, be it a human, a pet, a body part, or an inanimate object, it will cause death, damage, or great bodily harm if the gun were to be discharged.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
I will add to this “out of the trigger guard” even though there are some guns without a guard. Yes they are old guns that don’t have a guard, but out of the guard works for me. Number three is because of number one! This is probably the most often violated rule.
4. Be sure of your target and beyond.
Again, because all guns are loaded, we need to be sure of our target. If there is not a proper backstop or clear area behind the target, the bullet can miss, or pass through, the target and cause damage in unintended areas and to bystanders.
Reviewing the safety rules is great and we should do it often. But being safe with a gun is more than that. Storing guns securely, shooting them in a safe place, and even selling them responsibly is what I call being safe with a gun.
I am one who feels that a gun should be accessible as possible. What good is a gun that is unloaded in a case in a safe? But, I know that children and others who should not have access need to be prohibited. There are many safes on the market that will keep your gun accessible and secure. A little practice and you’ll be able to draw from a safe pretty fast.
As far as gun sales goes. To ensure the transfer of ownership I use a gun sale form with information on it that will help me to identify the buyer or seller and to protect me and them. I make it clear before the sale (or purchase) that I require some personal information for the transaction. I make sure it is both ways. They receive my information also. The safety comes with some type of documentation of the transfer of the gun.
Being safety and security minded is always a good policy. Take Clint Smith’s challenge and know the gun safety rules and review them often.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
If you are not aware Clint Smith has been a firearm instructor for many years at Thunder Ranch in Texas and Oregon, NPI, the original Gunsite Academy, and for a decade in law enforcement. He is known for his straight-forward, candid advice concerning shooting, self-defense, and tactical techniques.
Clint says:
“REVIEW THE FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
Can you say what the 4 are correctly and in proper order…first time through?”
Well what do you say? A new year is a good time to take stock and review the basics. So can you quote the four safety rules by heart?
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cross anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
4. Be sure of your target and beyond.
1. All guns are always loaded.
Sometimes I see this written “Treat all guns as if they are loaded.” This is a mistake in my opinion. “Treating” a gun as if it were loaded is quite different than the declarative “All”. This is a good foundation rule on which the others can stand.
2. Never let the muzzle cross anything you are not willing to destroy.
We have this rule because of Rule one. If the muzzle is pointed at anything that is of value, be it a human, a pet, a body part, or an inanimate object, it will cause death, damage, or great bodily harm if the gun were to be discharged.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
I will add to this “out of the trigger guard” even though there are some guns without a guard. Yes they are old guns that don’t have a guard, but out of the guard works for me. Number three is because of number one! This is probably the most often violated rule.
4. Be sure of your target and beyond.
Again, because all guns are loaded, we need to be sure of our target. If there is not a proper backstop or clear area behind the target, the bullet can miss, or pass through, the target and cause damage in unintended areas and to bystanders.
Reviewing the safety rules is great and we should do it often. But being safe with a gun is more than that. Storing guns securely, shooting them in a safe place, and even selling them responsibly is what I call being safe with a gun.
I am one who feels that a gun should be accessible as possible. What good is a gun that is unloaded in a case in a safe? But, I know that children and others who should not have access need to be prohibited. There are many safes on the market that will keep your gun accessible and secure. A little practice and you’ll be able to draw from a safe pretty fast.
As far as gun sales goes. To ensure the transfer of ownership I use a gun sale form with information on it that will help me to identify the buyer or seller and to protect me and them. I make it clear before the sale (or purchase) that I require some personal information for the transaction. I make sure it is both ways. They receive my information also. The safety comes with some type of documentation of the transfer of the gun.
Being safety and security minded is always a good policy. Take Clint Smith’s challenge and know the gun safety rules and review them often.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Proportional Response
A friend of mine confided in me that he had a rush from killing in combat. He said that he recognized that this rush could turn into addiction and talked to his CO about re-assignment. His was a case of not enough killing, when usually people want out of the killing. He was re-assigned and sought help. He got the help he needed and was able to resume his duties as an operator. For a while there he thought his career was over.
This is an extreme case of violence getting the best of a good person. In my case, I abhor violence. Everyone reacts differently to violence and deals with it in their own way. Thankfully, my exposure to it has been limited which is probably the reason for my abhorrence. I try to avoid it at all costs.
So what is proportional defense?
The following is from FindLaw, a site to help law students and professors. As with all things, this should not be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer. (My son-in-law is in law school and we get in these discussions all the time.)
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/self-defense-overview.html
“It is a universally accepted principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally constitute a crime. In the United States legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime, as does the federal government. The specific rules pertaining to self-defense vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, however. This article offers explanations of the broad concepts that make up self-defense law in the US, but you should check the laws of your particular jurisdiction to understand the specific requirements for a claim of self-defense.
Introduction
Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations. For instance, what is a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself? What goes beyond that level? What if the intended victim provoked the attack? Do victims have to retreat from the violence if possible? What happens when victims reasonably perceive a threat even if the threat doesn’t actually exist? What about when the victim’s apprehension is subjectively genuine, but objectively unreasonable?
As you can see, self-defense is more complicated than it first appears. In order to handle the myriad situations where self-defense arises, states have developed rules to determine when self-defense is allowed and how much force a victim can use to protect themselves. As mentioned, the exact rules differ between states, but the considerations are largely the same.
Is the Threat Imminent?
As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense.
Moreover, the use of force in self-defense generally loses justification once the threat has ended. For example, if an aggressor assaults a victim but then ends the assault and indicates that there is no longer any threat of violence, then the threat of danger has ended. Any use of force by the victim against the assailant at that point would be considered retaliatory and not self-defense.
Was the Fear of Harm Reasonable?
Sometimes self-defense is justified even if the perceived aggressor didn’t actually mean the perceived victim any harm. What matters in these situations is whether a “reasonable person” in the same situation would have perceived an immediate threat of physical harm. The concept of the “reasonable person” is a legal conceit that is subject to differing interpretations in practice, but it is the legal system’s best tool to determine whether a person’s perception of imminent danger justified the use of protective force.
To illustrate, picture two strangers walking past each other in a city park. Unbeknownst to one, there is a bee buzzing around his head. The other person sees this and, trying to be friendly, reaches quickly towards the other to try and swat the bee away. The person with the bee by his head sees a stranger’s hand dart towards his face and violently hits the other person’s hand away. While this would normally amount to an assault, a court could easily find that the sudden movement of a stranger’s hand towards a person’s face would cause a reasonable man to conclude that he was in danger of immediate physical harm, which would render the use of force a justifiable exercise of the right of self-defense. All this in spite of the fact that the perceived assailant meant no harm; in fact, he was actually trying to help!
Imperfect Self-defense
Sometimes a person may have a genuine fear of imminent physical harm that is objectively unreasonable. If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “imperfect self-defense.” Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every state recognizes imperfect self-defense, however.
For example, a person is waiting for a friend at a coffee shop. When the friend arrives, he walks toward the other person with his hand held out for a handshake. The person who had been waiting genuinely fears that his friend means to attack him, even though this fear is totally unreasonable. In order to avoid the perceived threat, the person punches his friend in the face. While the person’s claim of self-defense will not get him out of any criminal charges because of the unreasonable nature of his perception, it could reduce the severity of the charges or the eventual punishment.
Some states also consider instances where the person claiming self-defense provoked the attack as imperfect self-defense. For example, if a person creates a conflict that becomes violent then unintentionally kills the other party while defending himself, a claim of self-defense might reduce the charges or punishment, but would not excuse the killing entirely.
Proportional Response
The use of self-defense must also match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat. If, however, the threat involves only minor force and the person claiming self-defense uses force that could cause grievous bodily harm or death, the claim of self-defense will fail.
Duty to Retreat
The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “duty to retreat.” While most states have removed this rule for instances involving the use of nonlethal force, many states still require that a person make an attempt to escape the situation before applying lethal force.
Stand Your Ground
In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence. As mentioned above, this is the more common rule when situations involve nonlethal force. States are split on the stand your ground principle when lethal force is in play, however.
Castle Doctrine
Even in states that require a person to retreat from the threat of imminent harm before defending themselves, a person can often use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their home. This rule, also known as “the castle doctrine,” allows people to defend their homes against intruder through lethal force. Like most of these rules, the exact result will vary according to the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case, so it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney to learn more.”
I suggest the 5 elements of justified use of force. They are:
Innocence. Who is the aggressor? Don’t be the aggressor but be ready.
Imminence. What signs are there that an attack will happen? Are they reasonable signs?
Reasonableness. Knowledge of the attacker. What you can ascertain about your attacker. The exception is where there is a disparity of force. Typical examples of disparity of force include a big guy attacking a smaller guy, a man attacking a woman, a healthy person attacking an infirm person, or a trained fighter attacking an untrained person.
Avoidance. Regardless of law (but you should know the law in your state) as a lethal weapon carrier, you should always avoid an altercation if you can. It’s also wise legally, to show that you went out of your way to avoid the situation.
Proportionality. Once the threat is stopped anything else is excess. If you hit your attacker and they go down and don’t move or you shoot them and they go down and don’t move, further injury or violence against them will be assault or possibly attempted murder. If the threat persists, you must stop the threat.
I have never had the misfortune to have to defend my actions of self-defense. The only incident I have had was clear to law enforcement, and nothing happened to me. But as concealed carriers we must be aware of the implications and responsibilities that accompany carrying a lethal weapon.
Having a little knowledge of these things is good, but consulting a lawyer is better. There are many pro 2nd amendment lawyers out there. There is also some legal defense insurance programs out there to protect yourself in the event of a defensive shooting. Here are four:
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Inc. (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
NRA’s Carry Guard
Being aware of the laws in your state and the states you visit is very important. You risk a lot not knowing them. There are also classes you can take for this but most states include their laws in their concealed carry classes for their license.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
This is an extreme case of violence getting the best of a good person. In my case, I abhor violence. Everyone reacts differently to violence and deals with it in their own way. Thankfully, my exposure to it has been limited which is probably the reason for my abhorrence. I try to avoid it at all costs.
So what is proportional defense?
The following is from FindLaw, a site to help law students and professors. As with all things, this should not be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer. (My son-in-law is in law school and we get in these discussions all the time.)
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/self-defense-overview.html
“It is a universally accepted principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally constitute a crime. In the United States legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime, as does the federal government. The specific rules pertaining to self-defense vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, however. This article offers explanations of the broad concepts that make up self-defense law in the US, but you should check the laws of your particular jurisdiction to understand the specific requirements for a claim of self-defense.
Introduction
Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations. For instance, what is a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself? What goes beyond that level? What if the intended victim provoked the attack? Do victims have to retreat from the violence if possible? What happens when victims reasonably perceive a threat even if the threat doesn’t actually exist? What about when the victim’s apprehension is subjectively genuine, but objectively unreasonable?
As you can see, self-defense is more complicated than it first appears. In order to handle the myriad situations where self-defense arises, states have developed rules to determine when self-defense is allowed and how much force a victim can use to protect themselves. As mentioned, the exact rules differ between states, but the considerations are largely the same.
Is the Threat Imminent?
As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense.
Moreover, the use of force in self-defense generally loses justification once the threat has ended. For example, if an aggressor assaults a victim but then ends the assault and indicates that there is no longer any threat of violence, then the threat of danger has ended. Any use of force by the victim against the assailant at that point would be considered retaliatory and not self-defense.
Was the Fear of Harm Reasonable?
Sometimes self-defense is justified even if the perceived aggressor didn’t actually mean the perceived victim any harm. What matters in these situations is whether a “reasonable person” in the same situation would have perceived an immediate threat of physical harm. The concept of the “reasonable person” is a legal conceit that is subject to differing interpretations in practice, but it is the legal system’s best tool to determine whether a person’s perception of imminent danger justified the use of protective force.
To illustrate, picture two strangers walking past each other in a city park. Unbeknownst to one, there is a bee buzzing around his head. The other person sees this and, trying to be friendly, reaches quickly towards the other to try and swat the bee away. The person with the bee by his head sees a stranger’s hand dart towards his face and violently hits the other person’s hand away. While this would normally amount to an assault, a court could easily find that the sudden movement of a stranger’s hand towards a person’s face would cause a reasonable man to conclude that he was in danger of immediate physical harm, which would render the use of force a justifiable exercise of the right of self-defense. All this in spite of the fact that the perceived assailant meant no harm; in fact, he was actually trying to help!
Imperfect Self-defense
Sometimes a person may have a genuine fear of imminent physical harm that is objectively unreasonable. If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “imperfect self-defense.” Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every state recognizes imperfect self-defense, however.
For example, a person is waiting for a friend at a coffee shop. When the friend arrives, he walks toward the other person with his hand held out for a handshake. The person who had been waiting genuinely fears that his friend means to attack him, even though this fear is totally unreasonable. In order to avoid the perceived threat, the person punches his friend in the face. While the person’s claim of self-defense will not get him out of any criminal charges because of the unreasonable nature of his perception, it could reduce the severity of the charges or the eventual punishment.
Some states also consider instances where the person claiming self-defense provoked the attack as imperfect self-defense. For example, if a person creates a conflict that becomes violent then unintentionally kills the other party while defending himself, a claim of self-defense might reduce the charges or punishment, but would not excuse the killing entirely.
Proportional Response
The use of self-defense must also match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat. If, however, the threat involves only minor force and the person claiming self-defense uses force that could cause grievous bodily harm or death, the claim of self-defense will fail.
Duty to Retreat
The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “duty to retreat.” While most states have removed this rule for instances involving the use of nonlethal force, many states still require that a person make an attempt to escape the situation before applying lethal force.
Stand Your Ground
In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence. As mentioned above, this is the more common rule when situations involve nonlethal force. States are split on the stand your ground principle when lethal force is in play, however.
Castle Doctrine
Even in states that require a person to retreat from the threat of imminent harm before defending themselves, a person can often use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their home. This rule, also known as “the castle doctrine,” allows people to defend their homes against intruder through lethal force. Like most of these rules, the exact result will vary according to the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case, so it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney to learn more.”
I suggest the 5 elements of justified use of force. They are:
Innocence. Who is the aggressor? Don’t be the aggressor but be ready.
Imminence. What signs are there that an attack will happen? Are they reasonable signs?
Reasonableness. Knowledge of the attacker. What you can ascertain about your attacker. The exception is where there is a disparity of force. Typical examples of disparity of force include a big guy attacking a smaller guy, a man attacking a woman, a healthy person attacking an infirm person, or a trained fighter attacking an untrained person.
Avoidance. Regardless of law (but you should know the law in your state) as a lethal weapon carrier, you should always avoid an altercation if you can. It’s also wise legally, to show that you went out of your way to avoid the situation.
Proportionality. Once the threat is stopped anything else is excess. If you hit your attacker and they go down and don’t move or you shoot them and they go down and don’t move, further injury or violence against them will be assault or possibly attempted murder. If the threat persists, you must stop the threat.
I have never had the misfortune to have to defend my actions of self-defense. The only incident I have had was clear to law enforcement, and nothing happened to me. But as concealed carriers we must be aware of the implications and responsibilities that accompany carrying a lethal weapon.
Having a little knowledge of these things is good, but consulting a lawyer is better. There are many pro 2nd amendment lawyers out there. There is also some legal defense insurance programs out there to protect yourself in the event of a defensive shooting. Here are four:
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Inc. (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
NRA’s Carry Guard
Being aware of the laws in your state and the states you visit is very important. You risk a lot not knowing them. There are also classes you can take for this but most states include their laws in their concealed carry classes for their license.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Friday, January 4, 2019
Legalities of Concealed Carry and Defense
A friend of mine confided in me that he had a rush from killing in combat. He said that he recognized that this rush could turn into addiction and talked to his CO about re-assignment. His was a case of not enough killing, when usually people want out of the killing. He was re-assigned and sought help. He got the help he needed and was able to resume his duties as an operator. For a while there he thought his career was over.
This is an extreme case of violence getting the best of a good person. In my case, I abhor violence. Everyone reacts differently to violence and deals with it in their own way. Thankfully, my exposure to it has been limited which is probably the reason for my abhorrence. I try to avoid it at all costs.
So what is proportional defense?
The following is from FindLaw, a site to help law students and professors. As with all things, this should not be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer. (My son-in-law is in law school and we get in these discussions all the time.)
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/self-defense-overview.html
“It is a universally accepted principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally constitute a crime. In the United States legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime, as does the federal government. The specific rules pertaining to self-defense vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, however. This article offers explanations of the broad concepts that make up self-defense law in the US, but you should check the laws of your particular jurisdiction to understand the specific requirements for a claim of self-defense.
Introduction
Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations. For instance, what is a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself? What goes beyond that level? What if the intended victim provoked the attack? Do victims have to retreat from the violence if possible? What happens when victims reasonably perceive a threat even if the threat doesn’t actually exist? What about when the victim’s apprehension is subjectively genuine, but objectively unreasonable?
As you can see, self-defense is more complicated than it first appears. In order to handle the myriad situations where self-defense arises, states have developed rules to determine when self-defense is allowed and how much force a victim can use to protect themselves. As mentioned, the exact rules differ between states, but the considerations are largely the same.
Is the Threat Imminent?
As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense.
Moreover, the use of force in self-defense generally loses justification once the threat has ended. For example, if an aggressor assaults a victim but then ends the assault and indicates that there is no longer any threat of violence, then the threat of danger has ended. Any use of force by the victim against the assailant at that point would be considered retaliatory and not self-defense.
Was the Fear of Harm Reasonable?
Sometimes self-defense is justified even if the perceived aggressor didn’t actually mean the perceived victim any harm. What matters in these situations is whether a “reasonable person” in the same situation would have perceived an immediate threat of physical harm. The concept of the “reasonable person” is a legal conceit that is subject to differing interpretations in practice, but it is the legal system’s best tool to determine whether a person’s perception of imminent danger justified the use of protective force.
To illustrate, picture two strangers walking past each other in a city park. Unbeknownst to one, there is a bee buzzing around his head. The other person sees this and, trying to be friendly, reaches quickly towards the other to try and swat the bee away. The person with the bee by his head sees a stranger’s hand dart towards his face and violently hits the other person’s hand away. While this would normally amount to an assault, a court could easily find that the sudden movement of a stranger’s hand towards a person’s face would cause a reasonable man to conclude that he was in danger of immediate physical harm, which would render the use of force a justifiable exercise of the right of self-defense. All this in spite of the fact that the perceived assailant meant no harm; in fact, he was actually trying to help!
Imperfect Self-defense
Sometimes a person may have a genuine fear of imminent physical harm that is objectively unreasonable. If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “imperfect self-defense.” Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every state recognizes imperfect self-defense, however.
For example, a person is waiting for a friend at a coffee shop. When the friend arrives, he walks toward the other person with his hand held out for a handshake. The person who had been waiting genuinely fears that his friend means to attack him, even though this fear is totally unreasonable. In order to avoid the perceived threat, the person punches his friend in the face. While the person’s claim of self-defense will not get him out of any criminal charges because of the unreasonable nature of his perception, it could reduce the severity of the charges or the eventual punishment.
Some states also consider instances where the person claiming self-defense provoked the attack as imperfect self-defense. For example, if a person creates a conflict that becomes violent then unintentionally kills the other party while defending himself, a claim of self-defense might reduce the charges or punishment, but would not excuse the killing entirely.
Proportional Response
The use of self-defense must also match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat. If, however, the threat involves only minor force and the person claiming self-defense uses force that could cause grievous bodily harm or death, the claim of self-defense will fail.
Duty to Retreat
The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “duty to retreat.” While most states have removed this rule for instances involving the use of nonlethal force, many states still require that a person make an attempt to escape the situation before applying lethal force.
Stand Your Ground
In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence. As mentioned above, this is the more common rule when situations involve nonlethal force. States are split on the stand your ground principle when lethal force is in play, however.
Castle Doctrine
Even in states that require a person to retreat from the threat of imminent harm before defending themselves, a person can often use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their home. This rule, also known as “the castle doctrine,” allows people to defend their homes against intruder through lethal force. Like most of these rules, the exact result will vary according to the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case, so it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney to learn more.”
I’ve seen these 5 elements of justified use of force. They are:
Innocence. Who is the aggressor? Don’t be the aggressor but be ready.
Imminence. What signs are there that an attack will happen? Are they reasonable signs?
Reasonableness. Knowledge of the attacker. What you can ascertain about your attacker. The exception is where there is a disparity of force. Typical examples of disparity of force include a big guy attacking a smaller guy, a man attacking a woman, a healthy person attacking an infirm person, or a trained fighter attacking an untrained person.
Avoidance. Regardless of law (but you should know the saw in your state) as a lethal weapon carrier, you should always avoid an altercation if you can. It’s also wise legally, to show that you went out of your way to avoid the situation.
Proportionality. Once the threat is stopped anything else is excess. If you hit your attacker and they go down and don’t move or you shoot them and they go down and don’t move, further injury or violence against them will be assault or possibly attempted murder. If the threat persists, you must stop the threat.
I have never had the misfortune to have to defend my actions of self-defense. The only incident I have had was clear to law enforcement, and nothing happened to me. But as concealed carriers we must be aware of the implications and responsibilities that accompany carrying a lethal weapon.
Having a little knowledge of these things is good, but consulting a lawyer is better. There are many pro 2nd amendment lawyers out there. There is also some legal defense insurance programs out there to protect yourself in the event of a defensive shooting. Here are four:
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Inc. (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
NRA’s Carry Guard
Being aware of the laws in your state and the states you visit is very important. You risk a lot not knowing them. There are also classes you can take for this but most states include their laws in their concealed carry classes for their license.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
This is an extreme case of violence getting the best of a good person. In my case, I abhor violence. Everyone reacts differently to violence and deals with it in their own way. Thankfully, my exposure to it has been limited which is probably the reason for my abhorrence. I try to avoid it at all costs.
So what is proportional defense?
The following is from FindLaw, a site to help law students and professors. As with all things, this should not be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer. (My son-in-law is in law school and we get in these discussions all the time.)
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/self-defense-overview.html
“It is a universally accepted principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally constitute a crime. In the United States legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime, as does the federal government. The specific rules pertaining to self-defense vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, however. This article offers explanations of the broad concepts that make up self-defense law in the US, but you should check the laws of your particular jurisdiction to understand the specific requirements for a claim of self-defense.
Introduction
Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations. For instance, what is a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself? What goes beyond that level? What if the intended victim provoked the attack? Do victims have to retreat from the violence if possible? What happens when victims reasonably perceive a threat even if the threat doesn’t actually exist? What about when the victim’s apprehension is subjectively genuine, but objectively unreasonable?
As you can see, self-defense is more complicated than it first appears. In order to handle the myriad situations where self-defense arises, states have developed rules to determine when self-defense is allowed and how much force a victim can use to protect themselves. As mentioned, the exact rules differ between states, but the considerations are largely the same.
Is the Threat Imminent?
As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense.
Moreover, the use of force in self-defense generally loses justification once the threat has ended. For example, if an aggressor assaults a victim but then ends the assault and indicates that there is no longer any threat of violence, then the threat of danger has ended. Any use of force by the victim against the assailant at that point would be considered retaliatory and not self-defense.
Was the Fear of Harm Reasonable?
Sometimes self-defense is justified even if the perceived aggressor didn’t actually mean the perceived victim any harm. What matters in these situations is whether a “reasonable person” in the same situation would have perceived an immediate threat of physical harm. The concept of the “reasonable person” is a legal conceit that is subject to differing interpretations in practice, but it is the legal system’s best tool to determine whether a person’s perception of imminent danger justified the use of protective force.
To illustrate, picture two strangers walking past each other in a city park. Unbeknownst to one, there is a bee buzzing around his head. The other person sees this and, trying to be friendly, reaches quickly towards the other to try and swat the bee away. The person with the bee by his head sees a stranger’s hand dart towards his face and violently hits the other person’s hand away. While this would normally amount to an assault, a court could easily find that the sudden movement of a stranger’s hand towards a person’s face would cause a reasonable man to conclude that he was in danger of immediate physical harm, which would render the use of force a justifiable exercise of the right of self-defense. All this in spite of the fact that the perceived assailant meant no harm; in fact, he was actually trying to help!
Imperfect Self-defense
Sometimes a person may have a genuine fear of imminent physical harm that is objectively unreasonable. If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “imperfect self-defense.” Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every state recognizes imperfect self-defense, however.
For example, a person is waiting for a friend at a coffee shop. When the friend arrives, he walks toward the other person with his hand held out for a handshake. The person who had been waiting genuinely fears that his friend means to attack him, even though this fear is totally unreasonable. In order to avoid the perceived threat, the person punches his friend in the face. While the person’s claim of self-defense will not get him out of any criminal charges because of the unreasonable nature of his perception, it could reduce the severity of the charges or the eventual punishment.
Some states also consider instances where the person claiming self-defense provoked the attack as imperfect self-defense. For example, if a person creates a conflict that becomes violent then unintentionally kills the other party while defending himself, a claim of self-defense might reduce the charges or punishment, but would not excuse the killing entirely.
Proportional Response
The use of self-defense must also match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat. If, however, the threat involves only minor force and the person claiming self-defense uses force that could cause grievous bodily harm or death, the claim of self-defense will fail.
Duty to Retreat
The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “duty to retreat.” While most states have removed this rule for instances involving the use of nonlethal force, many states still require that a person make an attempt to escape the situation before applying lethal force.
Stand Your Ground
In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence. As mentioned above, this is the more common rule when situations involve nonlethal force. States are split on the stand your ground principle when lethal force is in play, however.
Castle Doctrine
Even in states that require a person to retreat from the threat of imminent harm before defending themselves, a person can often use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their home. This rule, also known as “the castle doctrine,” allows people to defend their homes against intruder through lethal force. Like most of these rules, the exact result will vary according to the jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case, so it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney to learn more.”
I’ve seen these 5 elements of justified use of force. They are:
Innocence. Who is the aggressor? Don’t be the aggressor but be ready.
Imminence. What signs are there that an attack will happen? Are they reasonable signs?
Reasonableness. Knowledge of the attacker. What you can ascertain about your attacker. The exception is where there is a disparity of force. Typical examples of disparity of force include a big guy attacking a smaller guy, a man attacking a woman, a healthy person attacking an infirm person, or a trained fighter attacking an untrained person.
Avoidance. Regardless of law (but you should know the saw in your state) as a lethal weapon carrier, you should always avoid an altercation if you can. It’s also wise legally, to show that you went out of your way to avoid the situation.
Proportionality. Once the threat is stopped anything else is excess. If you hit your attacker and they go down and don’t move or you shoot them and they go down and don’t move, further injury or violence against them will be assault or possibly attempted murder. If the threat persists, you must stop the threat.
I have never had the misfortune to have to defend my actions of self-defense. The only incident I have had was clear to law enforcement, and nothing happened to me. But as concealed carriers we must be aware of the implications and responsibilities that accompany carrying a lethal weapon.
Having a little knowledge of these things is good, but consulting a lawyer is better. There are many pro 2nd amendment lawyers out there. There is also some legal defense insurance programs out there to protect yourself in the event of a defensive shooting. Here are four:
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Inc. (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
NRA’s Carry Guard
Being aware of the laws in your state and the states you visit is very important. You risk a lot not knowing them. There are also classes you can take for this but most states include their laws in their concealed carry classes for their license.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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