OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — CCW Safe has launched The Armed Defender’s Dilemma: 36 Lessons by Shawn Vincent, a new in-depth video series designed to educate and prepare concealed carriers for the complex realities of lawful self-defense. This comprehensive program explores the legal, tactical, and psychological challenges armed citizens may face in the moments leading up to, during, and after a defensive use-of-force incident.
Hosted by legal analyst Shawn Vincent, the 36-lesson series offers a rare, practical look into the high-stakes decision-making process that defines lawful self-defense. Each lesson is rooted in real-world cases, many of which CCW Safe has been directly involved with, giving viewers a front-row seat to the realities that come with pulling the trigger in self-defense.
The goal of The Armed Defender’s Dilemma is to provide responsibly armed Americans with the knowledge to make sound, defensible choices under stress—choices that can mean the difference between freedom and prosecution. From identifying imminent threats to navigating post-incident legal strategy, the series covers the entire spectrum of what happens before, during, and after a self-defense encounter.
Among the critical lessons included are:
- The importance of situational awareness
- Understanding when deadly force is—and isn’t—legally justified
- Avoiding becoming the first aggressor or a provocateur
- Navigating police interactions and the legal system after an incident
- The responsibility of every bullet fired in self-defense
Vincent emphasizes that self-defense is not just about having a firearm—it’s about understanding how, when, and why to use it lawfully. The lessons encourage a mindset rooted in restraint, preparation, and the ability to disengage rather than escalate.
The first lesson in the series, now available, is titled “The Goal of Self-Defense is to Break Contact.” It sets the tone for the rest of the series by reinforcing that self-defense isn’t about winning a fight—it’s about escaping danger. Whether it’s through retreat, verbal de-escalation, or less-lethal options, the goal is to end the threat and create distance. The firearm, as Vincent reminds viewers, is the tool of last resort—only justified when no other safe option remains.
With topics ranging from “Don’t shoot after the threat is over” to “Don’t provoke a potential aggressor” and “Understand the legal consequences,” the series is a roadmap for any armed citizen who wants to not only survive a violent encounter but also avoid the devastating aftermath of legal missteps.
The Armed Defender’s Dilemma is available to CCW Safe members through the organization’s online platform, and new lessons will be released on a regular schedule. The full curriculum aims to prepare gun owners for what many don’t realize until it’s too late: the true burden of using deadly force in self-defense.
