It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of gun ownership, but an undeniable part of training is developing an understanding of when you should not fire.
Several recent stories in the news have highlighted what can happen when you decide to fire when the use of deadly force wasn’t required.
None of what follows is intended to be legal advice. It’s simply a broad overview to introduce you to some important legal aspects of concealed carry. We can offer insight into the legal basics, but it’s up to you to learn the specific laws for your state of residence and your individual situation.
When in Pursuit of an Attacker
This one basically boils down to how you treat a person who is leaving the scene of a violent incident. We might witness the middle or end of an incident in which someone was hurt or a victim of some violence.
You do not know exactly what happened in that scenario, and it’s not your responsibility to distribute justice.
If you’ve defeneded yourself successfully, but the attacker is able to run away, it could be very difficult to prove that a person driving or running away posed an unavoidable threat. In this case, taking the time to note the description of the person and vehicle is a better use of your time.
When You’re in a Dangerous Situation That Could be Avoided
Some situations are all the more tragic because they were completely avoidable. Concealed weapons are for self-defense, period. Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation that should have been handled by a police officer. You might pay the ultimate price for this mistake.
Carrying concealed is not a permit to go into areas and situations that are unsafe. Your concealed handgun is for protection in the event of an unprovoked threat to your life. If you had the opportunity to avoid a dangerous person but chose to confront them instead, be prepared to explain why you sought out violence.
Law enforcement officers are trained to handle these situations. They also have the equipment and support necessary to handle armed individuals.
When You Don’t Have the Ability to be Accurate and Effective
Be sure of your target and everything nearby before you pull the trigger. Errant shots put everyone in danger. This highlights the importance of regular training. Simply carrying a firearm is never enough.
If you don’t feel fully confident that your abilities are strong enough to fire on target while under extreme stress, it’s time to get some targets for the range, sign up for training classes, and get better fast.
