Self-defense laws vary by state, but generally, you have the right to defend yourself if you reasonably believe that you or someone else is in imminent danger of serious harm or death.

In this video, it appears someone is getting out of the back passenger side door right before the driver walks around the truck with something in his hands. The person in the second vehicle pulls out his firearm and points it at the man coming at him.

Would the man being attacked have been justified if he had pulled the trigger?

Now, let’s consider the scenario where someone is trying to break into your car while you’re inside with the door closed. In most states, you would likely be justified in using a firearm for self-defense if you genuinely believe that your life is at risk.

Try to safely de-escalate the situation or drive away, because avoidance is always the best option. A car is a powerful weapon, and sometimes the best defense is a good offense or, in this case, a good defensive driving maneuver.

But remember that every situation is different, and it’s up to you to use your best judgment, but using a firearm should always be a last resort.

Using a firearm in self-defense during a road rage incident is a serious matter, and you should always be aware of the potential consequences. If that bullet misses, it could hit an innocent bystander.

Always consider the potential consequences and try to de-escalate the situation if possible. Ultimately, it comes down to means, opportunity, and intent.

Stay safe on the roads, and don’t let road rage get the best of you or your trigger finger.

Any time there is a chance of a confrontation or you’re in a risky situation, leave yourself a reactionary gap. The perpetrator cornered the officer in this incident, and she got lucky.

This was in February 2021 in Mason, Ohio. The man survived, and the deputy did not get shot during the attack.

The minimum distance required between an individual and a potential threat is the concept of a “reactionary gap.” This space is very important because it gives you time to respond to an attack.

All kinds of factors impact how big of a reactionary gap you should have, including the physical condition of the people involved, the type of weapons, and your setting. Keep this concept in mind and keep a safe distance in potentially dangerous situations.

People in some cities, like Denver and New York, have recommended sending social workers to perform welfare checks instead of police officers.

How is a dispatcher supposed to know when a “non-violent” call can become a violent encounter?

If they can accurately predict that, I want them to buy me some lottery tickets.

Many people ask me about event safety, so here are some things I do. It doesn’t matter if I’m looking for a story, pre-planning, or threat assessment.

Social media is a love-hate relationship.

I check Twitter or Instagram first because the groups causing problems use social media to post what they are doing like it’s a trophy they won.

I search for cities and events on Twitter (Chicago, Times Square, etc.). Then, some basic generic terms: Protester, riot, crowd, police, activist.

Next search for specific terms depending on world events: Palestine, airport, and interstate are examples. When you use Twitter sort posts by “latest” and “top” so you can see the most up-to-date Tweets.

I prefer videos and photos because “protestors” share everything they do but question all of it because there is always misleading information.

There are many articles on crowd safety. However, here are a few highlights others can build on:

• I prefer being near the crowd’s perimeter since you’re less likely to get stuck.
• Dress down and blend in. Wear comfortable shoes that you can run in.
• Sometimes, it’s best to hold tight and let everyone else scatter. There’s nothing wrong with ducking into a building to get off the street.
• I download venue layouts and maps before leaving home because cell sites may be overwhelmed, and I frequently carry a small external battery pack.
• In case your group gets separated, have a spot to meet. Consider a backup location because the first one might be inaccessible.
• I leave about 30 minutes before the event is over to beat the rush and prefer Uber or Lyft instead of driving.
• There isn’t enough time to cover all the scenarios, so the main point is to always be thinking outside the box.

If you carry, do it responsibly, and don’t be drinking. I carry an Enigma AIWB because it gives me more control over my firearm, especially in a crowded environment.

Remember to pay attention to what’s happening around you and say something if you see something. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You can choose to be part of the solution or possibly be a victim.

Enjoy yourself, and don’t worry about the sky falling. It is what it is, so go have fun.

A huge part of self-defense is avoiding conflict. Contrary to the media hype over mass shootings, most defensive gun use is due to more personal conflicts such as assaults and robberies. There are no exact figures on this, just statistical analysis. I’ve saved the most important part for last.

Jim Mattis is a retired Marine Corps general and former Secretary of Defense who once said, “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” Although originally intended for Marines interacting with civilians in a war zone, we can still draw valuable lessons from it and apply them to our daily lives. Remember, our goal in defending ourselves is not to “kill” someone but to “stop the threat,” but his guidance still applies.

Situational Awareness Prevents You from Being an Easy Target

The first point is easy. People who look like they are aware of their surroundings are less likely to become victims. If you’re walking through an urban area or even a shopping mall with your earbuds in and your head down, you’re not making yourself invisible; you’re making yourself an easy target. Keep your head up. Look around. Make brief, but definite, eye contact. Walk with purpose. Do not look like a victim. Predators prey on the weak, so don’t look weak.

Avoid Walking Through Unknown Groups

Avoid walking directly past or through groups of young men. I don’t care where you are in the world or what color someone’s skin is. Groups of idle young men have a lot of potential to be a threat. The more economically depressed the area is, the more likely that is to be true. Avoid such groups, but never make it obvious you’re doing so. If you can’t avoid it, follow the advice from the previous paragraph about not looking like an easy target.

Sitting Down in Public

Sitting down in a public place requires some careful consideration. Whenever possible, sit so you can see the door or the most open parts of the location you are in. If you sit in a booth, sit on the outside, not the inside. When you enjoy a good meal with good company, it’s easy to get lost in conversation, but being aware of your surroundings doesn’t require much effort.

Groups of Unknown People

Look at the people in groups, see who is coming and going, and be sure to notice if someone is approaching you well before they get there. If you’re in a coffee shop working on your laptop and otherwise have your head buried in something, just look up once in a while. Some of us do this naturally, and for some, it takes extra effort, but you can train yourself to do it with a little practice. Eventually, you won’t even notice you’re doing it. Oh, and don’t wear earbuds there either. In fact, never wear earbuds or headphones in public, ever.

Road Rage and Carjackings

You need to be more aware of what’s going on when you’re driving. Road rage and carjackings are always on the menu these days. When I strap on a seatbelt, I’ve gotten into the habit of lightly tucking my shirt in between my sidearm and my hip so that it’s accessible.

If someone jams on their brakes in front of you and gets out of their car to come toward you, they may or may not be a physical threat. It takes some training to know when and when not to pull your firearm, but the key to that decision-making process is, you guessed it, situational awareness. Don’t forget, your first option should always be to drive out of the attack.

There are plenty of videos that show angry people assaulting people in their cars. There are even more videos that show angry people just being angry without being an actual threat.

Stay Calm

The greatest lesson of all, when it comes to situational awareness, is to STAY CALM. If things get tense, if a potential threat starts to present itself, or even if an actual threat quickly emerges, you must remain calm. If you don’t, you’ll get tunnel vision and miss everything else going on around you. Freaking out has never solved anything. If you’re carrying a firearm and you panic, innocent people, including yourself, could get hurt.

In a world where unforeseen threats can lurk around any corner, being aware of your surroundings isn’t just a skill; it’s a superpower. Situational awareness forms the bedrock of effective self-defense, empowering individuals to anticipate, assess, and respond to potential dangers.

Understanding Situational Awareness

Situational awareness isn’t merely about observing; it’s about comprehending the broader context of your surroundings. It involves actively perceiving, processing, and understanding elements within your environment and recognizing how they might impact your safety.

At its core, situational awareness comprises three fundamental levels:

Perception

The ability to perceive your environment, including people, objects, and activities, while being mindful of potential threats or changes.

Comprehension

Process the information gathered and understand its relevance and implications regarding your safety and well-being.

Projection

You should anticipate future developments or potential threats based on your understanding and adjust your actions accordingly.

The Importance of Situational Awareness

In the realm of self-defense, situational awareness acts as a preemptive shield against potential risks. It allows you to spot and avoid potentially dangerous situations before they escalate, significantly reducing the likelihood of becoming a target.

Moreover, heightened awareness doesn’t just deter threats; it also gives you precious seconds to formulate an appropriate response if a situation unfolds unexpectedly. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive, which gives you a crucial advantage in navigating any scenario.

Criminals LOVE people who aren’t paying attention, especially women, as we are perceived as easy targets.

Situational Awareness Tips

Here are some situational awareness tips that you can easily and immediately put into practice:

Stay Off Your Phone

Being buried in your phone, texting, watching TikTok videos, etc., means you’re not paying attention at all. Attackers love this!

Back Into Parking Spots

It helps you get out much easier if you think you’re being followed or some sketchy-looking person approaches your car.

Keep Your Head On a Casual Swivel

Nonchalantly notice everything around you without looking paranoid or weird.

Walk With Confidence and Purpose

An insecure posture could make you a victim, as it indicates vulnerability.

Gameify situational awareness by noticing something specific, like the license plate game. When walking through the parking lot, notice, say, how many blue cars you see. Or, when you walk into a store, circle the perimeter and count how many exits you see. Looking for ways out of a location helps you create awareness and can also give you an idea of the closest escape route in an emergency.

Remember, it’s about being mindful and prepared, not paranoid. These proactive steps could keep you from being a victim and prevent you from using physical defense methods.

Have a safe, fun weekend, and remember these simple situational awareness tips while you’re out!

Ability: Can They Do It?

The first thing in deciding if using deadly force is justified for self-defense is the other person’s ability to cause you harm. Ability refers to the other person’s capability to cause you serious bodily injury or death. The person’s ability involves different factors, like their physical strength and whether they have a weapon. That weapon could be anything from a baseball bat to a gun.

Are there multiple attackers? If there are, this brings in a term called “disparity of force.” Five against one isn’t fair odds, which tips the scale towards the attackers.

Opportunity: Is the Threat Imminent?

Okay, let’s say the individual has the ability to harm you. Now, you must decide if they have the opportunity and if the threat is imminent.

The second factor to consider when deciding if you can use deadly force is whether they have the opportunity to carry out the threat. Opportunity is the immediate and proximate circumstances in which the threat unfolds. It involves assessing whether the assailant can harm you imminently.

If the attacker has a knife but has a few vehicles in the way, you need to decide if the other guy can cause immediate harm. If the guy has a gun pointed at you and is a few vehicles away, that’s different, and the opportunity factor might be there.

Understanding the concept of opportunity helps you gauge the immediacy of the threat and whether using deadly force is the only workable option to prevent harm. Sometimes, the best choice is to get out of there while you can and live to fight another day.

However, if they are charging at you with a raised weapon, that’s a different story.

Intent: Do They Mean Harm?

The third and final thing to consider is the assailant’s intent. Intent relates to the other person’s purpose or state of mind about hurting you. Are they showing clear signs they intend to cause you harm? There must be a “reasonable belief” that the assailant wants to cause you serious bodily harm or death to justify using deadly force.

Deciding intent can be tricky because it involves assessing the other person’s actions, words, and demeanor. It comes down to reading someone’s body language and verbal cues.

A person who explicitly threatens you with harm or shows aggressive behavior may give you strong evidence of intent. However, remember that you need to evaluate intent objectively based on the information available to them. Some people just want to act like a bad *ss and cause trouble, like in the case of this YouTuber who recently got shot.

What if someone is armed with a holstered gun and talking to you without making any aggressive moves? In that case, he probably isn’t out to harm you.

Once that person starts yelling threats, waving around a gun or knife, or displaying signs of aggression, it’s more likely they intend to harm you.

Wrap-Up – Deadly Force for Self-Defense

Remember, the rules and laws governing the use of deadly force can vary from place to place. You need to familiarize yourself with the specific laws in your area and seek advice from legal experts.

Deciding if you can use deadly force for self-protection involves determining if ability, opportunity, and intent exist. Understanding these three factors can help you make informed decisions in high-stress situations and, hopefully, keep you and those around you safe.

ALL of these three things combined are what you base your decision on. You have to understand the intricacies of these components so you can make informed decisions if sh*t ever hits the fan.

Following the guidelines about the legal use of deadly force is vital for your safety and to keep yourself out of jail because you made a bad decision.

Always remember information in an article like this is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal guidance.

Never Go to a Secondary Location

In my courses, I stress never allowing yourself to be restrained or taken to a secondary location. Nothing good ever comes from it. If you become restrained, you are at the mercy of the threat(s) controlling you. Most of the time, they will not show you mercy, only violence and pain. Often, death is the outcome.

Your Line in The Sand

When someone attempts to restrain you, that is your red line in the sand. That is your trigger to immediately, decisively, and ferociously fight for your life. Even if your attackers outnumber you, you’re injured, or the threat has a weapon, you must immediately fight back. You may not survive, but generally, that is your best time to fight back.

This video is of 25-year-old Noa Argamani, who is a Chinese-Israeli citizen. Multiple Hamas terrorists abducted her at a music festival in Israel on October 7^th, 2023. Currently, she is still alive somewhere, and I cannot imagine the fear she is experiencing.

Being Taken Reduces Your Odds

Fighting back does not guarantee you will survive. Yet, not fighting back and becoming restrained and taken to another location significantly reduces your options and often results in death. I have seen too many instances where they tortured and killed someone they kidnapped.

It’s All About Mindset

There are no guarantees when it comes to violence. It is critical that you think about a kidnapping situation now to know where you stand if the day ever comes when your life is in jeopardy. Develop your mindset now and develop response options. Whether it is a lone abductor or multiple terrorists, you will have a decision to make regarding your situation. You will not have much time to take action.

The Reason I do What I do

When I was seven, a predator attempted to abduct me. Even at that young age, I was not about to let that happen and took measures to prevent my abduction. Had I not done so, I would probably be a crime statistic that is long forgotten. That incident impacts me every day of my life and is the reason I do what I do.

By Scott Kirshner

Scott is the President of Dedicated Threat Solutions, LLC, and has decades of experience in safety and violence mitigation strategies. He has held many positions in the criminal justice system, like Parole Administrator, Supervisory Probation Officer, and Correctional Officer. Scott has trained with numerous agencies, including the Phoenix Division of the FBI SWAT Team and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Dowling said to Carson, “What are you looking at?”

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, “Mr. Carson begins to immediately try to de-escalate the situation.”

Carson told Dowling to “Chill, chill, chill,” and Dowling swung a knife. Dowling stabbed Carson three times, and one stab hit Carson’s heart.

On Thursday, the police arrested Dowling and charged him with murder with depraved indifference and criminal possession of a weapon.

Here's the full uncensored version of the Ryan Carson stabbing. He tripped over the bench leaving him disoriented and vulnerable on the ground. pic.twitter.com/VyWLfrbYgD

— Expose Them (@ExposeDarkDeeds) October 3, 2023

Carson was a far-left activist with socialist views, and in an interview from 2020, he said, “But the fact of the matter is, I’m fucking scared. I spent this summer, like many of the past years of my life, watching people I care about get attacked by the police in the streets.”

Lozada-Oliva was a friend of his who told the Gothamist, “I know he would have wanted people to use his death as a means to talk about structural wrongs in the city.” the Gothamist went on and said, “To say would have seen his killer as a victim of the kind of broken systems he was working to fix.”

Murdered Brooklyn antifa activist Ryan Carson, who is celebrated by leftists & Democrats for his "kindness," had locked his two accounts @RyantCarson & @ArtSchoolJock. But posts have emerged showing him celebrating death & violence. https://t.co/R5lBwKzu8L pic.twitter.com/jX7rLJsWNj

— Andy Ngô ?️‍? (@MrAndyNgo) October 5, 2023

According to a friend named Acadia Cutschall, this isn’t the first time someone has attacked him. “I was present once when he literally talked a guy out of mugging him,” Cutschall told a local newspaper. “He gave him some money.”

This was a tragic yet preventable death. Just because you successfully de-escalated a situation or someone else did doesn’t mean you can repeat the outcome. It is a false sense of security to believe that something that happened before will work again. Maintain a gap between yourself and anyone who might be a threat, and do whatever you can to stay out of harm’s way.

That reactionary gap is what you need so you have time to respond and stay alive.

Attacker number one is out of the vehicle instantly, pointing a firearm at the driver of the car they are stealing. The victim went to pull forward but hesitated, and the gunman was on top of him at his window.

The carjackers were surprisingly well coordinated and had this scenario planned out well ahead of time. The strike was fast, and the attacker’s two vehicles boxed him in. They outnumbered him six to one, and even though there was no audio, I’m sure they were shouting at him, confusing him even more. It’s an understatement to say that the victim was caught off guard.

What were his options?

First, let me say they are all terrible options except for the first one. I am not endorsing any of them because this ambush has many moving pieces. Training and skill will make a gigantic difference in what you might do. The victim had at most a couple of seconds to respond, and even then, his options were not good.

Option 1: Don’t stop there in the first place. Knowing what I know about the rise in crime in that area, I wouldn’t have stopped in that spot.

Option 2: When he hit the gas, he should have immediately gunned it and driven through the first car. He had a brief moment where he probably could have made it but I’m guessing he wasn’t mentally prepared to ram the front of the vehicle that was about to block him in. Get off the damn X and out of the kill zone whenever possible. If you are going to fight back, your primary goal is always to get away.

Option 3: Maybe, just maybe, if he had his firearm next to him, he could have gotten a couple of shots off to buy himself some additional time to escape.

Option 4: There was a brief window of opportunity to fight back or get away at around the 45-second mark while he was lying in the street.

Option 5: Fully cooperate and pray it’s not your day to die, which is what he did, and he got lucky.

Option 6: Get into a gunfight, but your odds of survival are slim against multiple armed individuals who have you boxed in.

This guy’s chances of survival were a roll of the dice, and it could have gone either way. The days of robbing someone and the thugs taking off are over. It seems to be happening more frequently where the criminals still beat or even kill someone even after the victim has given up their belongings.

Some people will say to always fully cooperate, and that’s a personal choice you have to make. Compliance, though, could also get you killed.

Survival is a mindset. It’s better to train and think of your options in advance than to wait until the day SHTF to try and figure it out.

The bad guys are learning, and the more they get away with this, the braver they get. Considering the current political climate, you’re fooling yourself if you think things will improve anytime soon. Now that no cash bail started in Illinois last week, it’s anybody’s guess what will happen next.

What would you have done?

Thanks, @CPD1617Scanner, for not one but two excellent videos this weekend.

The event in this video happened in April 2023 in Mexico. In this video, a woman looks like she is being forced into a car, but fortunately, it wasn’t a kidnapping; instead, she was being committed to a treatment facility. It still shows what to be aware of, and it could have easily been an actual kidnapping.

If it was real, there was a high likelihood her family probably wouldn’t have seen her again. This is REALITY!

First, the lady is a victim, and these are likely professional predators, so let’s not bash her.

• The victim appears to be upset. Her body language is that of being unsure of herself and not walking with a strong, defined purpose.
• The attacker is acting in a relaxed manner. Predators are well-rehearsed and are usually calm.
• When he sets his water bottle down, that’s an indicator that he’s getting ready to use both arms and hands on her.
• He slightly steps towards her, closing the reactionary gap.
• When he grabs her, he “hugs her,” getting control of her body.

Your biggest self-defense tool is your brain.

The biggest self-defense tool you always carry is your brain, not a weapon. Don’t ever place yourself in a dangerous situation. Use situational awareness, walk with a purpose, and have that commanding presence.

When you act like you’re out for a “stroll,” you’re telling the bad guy you’re an easy target and probably won’t fight.

When you fight for your life, kick, scream, punch, gouge eyes, pull hair, or bite, learn a person’s pressure points. Fight with the attitude that you will completely destroy that person, and fast.

“If you’re gonna fight, fight like you are the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s ark, and it’s starting to rain.” Tim Kennedy – UFC Fighter and Special Forces Operator.

Drop to the ground. It is more difficult to carry away someone who is entirely dead weight. By standing and pushing back with your legs, you are actually supporting your own weight and helping the attacker.

Understand that bad things happen to good people. This could happen in your community or at your kid’s bus stop.

This isn’t trying to make people scared or paranoid. You should live your life but also have a plan in case things go wrong. Don’t forget that your gut feeling is usually correct.

By Marko Galbreath

Mark is a national speaker and media contributor on preventing and mitigating violent attacks. You can follow Mark on LinkedIn.