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Home Articles

Thoughts and Considerations Before Your Defensive Encounter

Ben Findley by Ben Findley
July 10, 2014
in Articles, Concealed Carry, General Firearm, Self-Defense
Reading Time: 7 mins read
Thoughts and Considerations Before Your Defensive Encounter

How Would You Respond in a Defensive Encounter?

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Thoughts and Considerations Before Your Defensive Encounter
How Would You Respond in a Defensive Encounter?

Like most of us, probably your answer to “How would you respond in a defensive encounter?” is “Who Knows!” We wonder if it is even possible to plan our specific response ahead of a defensive encounter and the use of deadly force. Should we even take the time to think about all the “what-if” scenarios of an attack?  Be careful now with your quick reply to this. Of course, we all recognize that there are many unknown variables and possibilities when some criminal violently assaults or threatens us with deadly harm and that we cannot specifically nor adequately plan ahead our exact response and reactions.  We have heard and read stories and testimonies, the law enforcement interviews, and heard some new or fellow shooters say if I am in a defensive encounter “I’m shooting to kill the dirt bag before he kills me.” Or “If he comes at me with a weapon, I’m not hesitating to take him out and will not “wing him.” Or, “I’m going to keep shooting to put him down for good; he started it and I’ll finish it.” While others have said “I’m shooting him in the arm or leg just to wound him.” Do they really believe this and will they actually respond this way in their own real encounter? Let’s examine this.

Well, the way this non-lawyer sees it is that any bullet that leaves your muzzle and hits someone, whether it is in their leg, or arm, or center chest, whether you wound or kill them, IS the use of deadly force. Just think about it. Even a shot to anyone’s leg only to wound them can cause them to bleed to death. I believe and have seen it happen that you will be arrested, at least initially, most of the time when you fire your weapon and injure or kill someone. Now this may be the initial action and it may be expunged from your record later, as evidence, facts, and testimony emerges. But the job of law enforcement is not to analyze evidence and DETERMINE the guilt or innocence of perpetrators. The judges and juries make that determination. Further, from what I’ve read, experienced, and researched in the criminal and civil court cases and decisions, it seems you can get in just as much trouble legally, or even more so, if you just wound someone.

I’m sure most of us have heard some of these classic phrases:

  1. You shoot to neutralize the threat.
  2. If the dirt bag is still standing you can keep shooting to eliminate the threat.
  3. You shoot to kill, before the bad guy kills you.
  4. You only shoot to stop the threat.
  5. You shoot only to wound and not take the chance for excessive use of force; he may leave.

So what is a defender, a potential victim, to do? Well, first AVOID the encounter if you can and safely exit or leave, but also think through some things BEFORE the encounter. What mental preparation can you make before an actual encounter… to help stave off a prison term and strengthen your self-defense case? What fundamentals do you need to understand and implement? Of course, the specific facts of the situational encounter will make all the difference. Were you the aggressor? Was it an imminent threat? Were the elements of armed ability, opportunity and close proximity, and hostile action or words present? What about use of excessive force; does it even apply in self-defense? And that very important word “reasonable” enters into it.

Reasonable Doubt

We know that what is “reasonable” for one is not for another. What is “truth” for one is not for another. Judges and juries will decide what is reasonable for them at the time of the defensive encounter based on knowing what you the defender knew at the time of the deadly encounter, along with their own subjective interpretation of what is reasonable and the preponderance of evidence. One must understand that outcomes are uncontrollable to a large extent by you, even with righteous and legal intentions and existing evidence. Your life, your lifestyle and assets, and your career and financial future could very well be in jeopardy from your quick decision under stress to use deadly force. But, do you take a risk and NOT respond to a possible life-threatening criminal encounter with what you believe in a nanosecond is a borderline justifiable use of deadly force? This is a major, all-encompassing lifetime (and potentially devastating) decision for you… one way or the other. The most important decision of your life. So take some time to think about it before it happens.

So what about “beyond reasonable doubt?” In criminal proceedings, this standard to this non-attorney, is really about showing the proof that there is no plausible reason and no “real doubt” to believe otherwise… that you used deadly force appropriately. To this layman if there is a genuine doubt based upon reason and common sense after careful and impartial consideration of all evidence, or lack of evidence, then the level of proof probably has been met. Proof beyond reasonable doubt (to me a non-lawyer) means the existence of evidence of such a strong nature past moral certainty and beyond dispute that any reasonable alternative is even possible… that one would be willing to rely and act upon it without hesitation in one’s own situations. But to me, it does NOT mean absolute certainty and that no doubt exists about your proper use of deadly force. If the judge or juries have no doubts about your guilt or their doubts are unreasonable doubts, then your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt should exist and you the defendant probably will be pronounced guilty. After all, “facts” or truthful evidence are present and what is an acceptable truth varies greatly. Again, the subjective understanding, opinions, and interpretations by others significantly influence your critical defensive situation. The importance of this to all concealed carry license holders and justifiable defenders and possible victims is great and that is why I want to present it in my limited, non-lawyer way. I want really just to help you generally think about the considerations in advance before a defensive encounter, because I believe we want every possible advantage before a life-altering event.

To me, what follows below are the major considerations and guidelines for my pre-encounter thinking before a GENERAL defensive encounter. I want to save some time and anticipate some possibilities. Of course the laws, rules, interpretations, definitions, etc. vary so much by jurisdiction, so this is just a broad framework as part of the total picture. I hope it spurs you to think about what you believe and helps you pre-plan a general strategy that may save you from much grief and maybe jail time.

What guides YOU in a defensive situation? Remember I am a non-lawyer and I am NOT giving legal advice nor legal opinions, but offering some general education points to help you formulate your personal guidelines. After trying to first AVOID the situation, here are some general things that guide ME in a dangerous encounter.

1. Shoot ONLY to neutralize or STOP the threat and no more… NOT to KILL or ELIMINATE it.

2. Only use as much commensurate force as necessary to neutralize or stop the threat, e.g. non-deadly force for non-deadly attack or deadly force against deadly force.

3. Only continue to use appropriate force during the time the threat is imminent. If the aggressor turns and leaves, he is no longer the aggressor and the threat is not imminent. On the other hand, if you pursue the bad guy then as he is running away, there is a high probability that you will be viewed as the aggressor and be in legal trouble with a lot of uncertainty.

4. Shoot no more than is “reasonably” necessary to STOP the threat or you probably will go to jail.

5. Even though the law is specific, there is much subjective interpretation of what is “reasonable.” Do you want to gamble on the subjective outcome? Risk-Reward analysis and tradeoff. Rationality and not emotionality.

6. Remember that shooting to wound or to kill have BOTH been interpreted as the use of deadly force.

7. Shooting to wound may be evidence that you were NOT in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm to justify your use of deadly force, so you weren’t trying to “neutralize” the threat. Big trouble!

8. I keep asking myself “Is there any other option instead of shooting?” and “Do I really have to shoot in this situation?” It’s not that I am afraid, weak, have no power or confidence in my shooting abilities. I am not trying to prove anything, right all wrongs, or demonstrate my power, abilities, or manliness.

9. Is there really the possibility of excessive force in a self-defense situation? Some folks and lawyers think NOT. What about that one more shot fired that is not “necessary” and not “reasonable?” Is that not self defense then, but murder?

Because there are so many complex variables and options, we have to think about this in advance and try to narrow down our alternatives and responses in general before the 3 or 4 second encounter under stress. And not just the legal and life-or-death ramifications. One mental mistake of shooting to kill or just to wound and our whole life (and the lives of loved ones and others) is ruined. On the other hand, if we hesitate to shoot because we are so overly-concerned about legal outcomes, we may die. This can easily be a lose-lose result, rather than a win-win or win-lose one… either because of our quick reaction to shoot or our hesitation not to shoot. As Ollie said to Stanley “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve got me into.”

Continued success!

Photo by author.
This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney in your state or jurisdiction for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense, stand your ground law, and concealed carry. This is not legal advice and not legal opinions. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever. 
© 2014 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col Ben Findley at [email protected].

Tags: defensiveencounterself defense
Ben Findley

Ben Findley

Col. Ben" is retired with 30 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, with joint services Special Ops duty and training, and is Air Force qualified as "Expert" in small arms. Ben is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force's Air War College and taught there. He is an experienced NRA-Certified Pistol Instructor, certified NRA Range Safety Officer, and FL Concealed Carry License Instructor. He shot competitively and ranked for several years in four International Defense Pistol Association handgun divisions and now teaches Florida Concealed Carry classes. He was recently selected for the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. Col. Ben is a Vietnam-era Veteran and Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and the Bosnia War-era Veteran.

Ben is a Florida Expert Legal Witness: Handguns, Concealed Carry, & Safety with the First Judicial Circuit, Florida- Office of Public Defender. He is a graduate of the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Academy for civilians at Escambia County, FL and a graduate of the Pensacola, FL Police Department's Police Academy for civilians. He completed Sig Sauer Academy's Practical Handgun Skills course in New Hampshire, as well as the Advanced Concealed Carry Course with FFT. He also completed the NRA Advanced and Intermediate courses in Concealed Carry and Personal Protection Outside the Home. His doctorate degree is in business and education and he served as a certified federal Mediator and Ombudsman. While serving as Deputy Commander for NW FL and AL, Admission Liaison Officers, U.S. Air Force Academy, he was given the Outstanding Counselor award and the Tallman Outstanding Leadership Service award. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit medal by HQ, Air University.

Ben wrote the 5-Star, 367-page, top-rated book "Concealed Carry and Handgun Essentials for Personal Protection" (second printing) with 57 comprehensive Chapters about concealed carry and handgun principles, techniques, and tips for both experienced and new shooters. His reference book is available in 4 countries, endorsed by several handgun organizations, on the NRA Bookshelf, and is available at a discount on his website at FloridaHandgunsTraining.com. Contact him at [email protected].

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