Are You Prepared for Self Defense?

Are you prepared, both mentally and physically, to defend yourself should the need arise? Many of us may think that, because we’ve chosen to arm ourselves with a firearm or other defensive tool, we’re good to go. But, it’s not that simple.

It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. In the world of self-defense, that offense means being situationally aware. Situationally aware people are active observers of the world around them. They are constantly evaluating the potential for threats and taking steps to avoid conflict. That means not having their faces buried in a screen, wearing ear buds and never looking at what is going on around them. Being situationally aware will help to avoid having to defend ourselves in the first place!

If you’re unable to avoid a conflict, the next thing you must know is the law. As a minimum, you need to be familiar with Arizona Revised Statute § 13-404 Justification; self-defense. There are very limited circumstances where you can use deadly force to defend yourself, and you need to know whether the situation you find yourself in meets those requirements. The law treats certain places, like your home, much differently than others. While in some cases, you may be required to retreat, in others, you are not. Read the law, take a CCW class and be informed!

Being mentally prepared to defend yourself is the next obstacle. Most of us are fortunate enough to never have been in a high-stress, high-threat environment. It’s important to understand that in those situations, there will be physiological changes happening to your body that you cannot control. Things like tunnel vision, reduced fine motor skills and other reactions will significantly impact your ability to defend yourself. Knowing and understanding these impacts should factor into your decisions on what your best defense will be.

In high-stress, high-threat environments, there are three typical human responses: Flight, fight or freeze. Do you know how you will react? Training using video simulation systems can help you better understand your own behaviors and inform your decision on what you should do in a threat situation. These simulations replicate typical scenarios that you might face and require that you respond accordingly. They can include the use of laser and/or live-fire firearms. An hour spent on this type of training can teach you a lot about yourself.

What you do following a self-defense situation is also critically important to the consequences you may have to face. It is imperative that you call 911 and report the event. Report the facts of what has happened and nothing more, you defended yourself and you need police/medical assistance immediately. All 911 calls are recorded and can/will be used in court. Following a defensive situation, you’ll be in a state of mental shock and will not have processed information completely. Once the police arrive, be sure you’re not perceived as a threat. Don’t have a firearm in your hand and be ready to follow their commands. Those commands will very likely result in you being handcuffed in the back of a police car. It is your right to remain silent and that is what you should do at this point. Inform the officers that you are invoking that right and your attorney will speak on your behalf. Then, remain silent.

None of us ever want to be forced into a defensive situation that results in a use of force. Being mentally and physically prepared for such a circumstance is our responsibility. FBN

By Rob Wilson

Rob Wilson is the owner, with his wife, Elise, of Timberline Firearms & Training in Flagstaff. They offer a full line of firearms, accessories, safes and ammunition along with Liberty Safes. For more information, visit timberlinefirearms.us.