Why You Should Consider Taking a Defensive Shooting CourseBy: Karen Hunter
Owning a Gun is Not Enough
Owning a firearm does not automatically equip you to handle a threat situation. If you unfortunately ever find yourself in a position where you must neutralize a threat, your gun is not an absolute equalizer. Your threat may also have a firearm and possibly be better skilled than you. A firearm performs only as well as the hands it is in.
Defensive shooting courses are an essential investment in skills, confidence, and responsibility. These courses go far beyond basic range and static shooting practice. Defensive shooting courses equip you with proper defensive mindset, shooting techniques, stress inoculation, and situational awareness, to handle high-stress encounters effectively.
Real-World Training That Prepares You for the Unexpected
One of the primary benefits of a defensive shooting course is learning to handle a firearm safely and effectively under pressure. Unlike static range practice, which focuses on shooting stationary targets in a controlled environment, defensive shooting courses simulate real-world scenarios. For instance, you might practice drawing your firearm from a concealed holster while moving to cover, engaging multiple targets, or shooting in low-light conditions. These drills replicate the chaos of a real threat, where split-second decisions are critical. You will engage in drills that demonstrate how quickly an attacker can close a foot distance, teaching you to react swiftly and accurately. By training in such dynamic scenarios, you quickly learn where your defensive training gaps are and what you need to work on. Defensive shooting courses aid in developing the confidence and the abilities needed to perform under stress which could prove to be lifesaving skills.
Situational awareness is another cornerstone of defensive shooting training. Your firearm does not come with a cape and does not make you instantly invincible. Your primary goal should always be avoidance and never needing to draw your gun. These courses teach you to scan your environment for potential threats, identify escape routes, and recognize pre-attack indicators, such as an individual’s aggressive posture or unusual behavior. Instructors may use scenario based training and role-playing exercises where a “suspect” exhibits suspicious actions, prompting you to decide whether to engage, de-escalate, or retreat. This training sharpens your ability to assess risks in real time, potentially preventing confrontation. A 2023 study by the National Institute of Justice found that individuals trained in situational awareness were 40% more likely to avoid physical altercations compared to untrained individuals.
Understanding Legal and Psychological Responsibility
Understanding legal and ethical responsibilities of using a firearm is another critical component. Laws governing self-defense vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some states impose a “duty to retreat,” requiring you to attempt escape before using lethal force, while others uphold “stand your ground” principles. Defensive shooting courses that include classroom sessions led by legal experts or former law enforcement officers who explain these nuances are highly recommended.
These courses also address the ethical weight of taking a life, encouraging you to prioritize de-escalation and use force only as a last resort. This knowledge ensures you act within the law and avoid devastating legal or moral repercussions. The psychological demands of a life-threatening encounter can be overwhelming, with adrenaline, fear, and tunnel vision impairing decision-making.
A Path Toward Skill Development and Responsible Community
Defensive shooting courses prepare you for these challenges through stress-induced training. Some programs use timed drills or simulated attacks with non-lethal force on force training to mimic real-world pressure. Instructors may shout commands or introduce unexpected obstacles, teaching you to control your breathing and maintain focus. A 2022 report by the American Psychological Association noted that stress inoculation training, like that in defensive shooting courses, improves performance in high-pressure situations by up to 30%. This mental conditioning can mean the difference between being paralyzed by fear in a crisis or responding with clarity.
Defensive training courses also foster a sense of community among participants. Training alongside others, from first-time gun owners to seasoned shooters, creates opportunities to share experiences and learn from diverse perspectives. Instructors, often with military or law enforcement backgrounds, bring real-world insights. For example, a former SWAT officer might share tactics for clearing a room safely, enhancing your understanding of practical applications. This collaborative environment reinforces responsible firearm ownership and builds a network of likeminded individuals committed to safety.
Take Ownership of Your Safety
Many programs offer tiered training, from beginner courses focusing on fundamentals to advanced classes covering urban combat tactics. Training facilities such as Gunsitew and the Sig Sauer Academy offer courses for beginners and more advanced courses, allowing you to progress at your own pace. While the cost and time commitment may concern some, the long-term benefits outweigh these factors. The price of solid instruction is well worth it compared to the potential consequences of being unprepared.
Ultimately, a defensive shooting course empowers you to take control of your personal safety. Law enforcement response times can average 7-10 minutes and threats often emerge without warning. By training to defend yourself, you gain peace of mind and the ability to protect your loved ones. A defensive shooting course is a vital step for anyone serious about personal safety and responsible firearm ownership.
Originally published by CCW Safe October 2025
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Owning a Gun is Not Enough
Owning a firearm does not automatically equip you to handle a threat situation. If you unfortunately ever find yourself in a position where you must neutralize a threat, your gun is not an absolute equalizer. Your threat may also have a firearm and possibly be better skilled than you. A firearm performs only as well as the hands it is in.
Defensive shooting courses are an essential investment in skills, confidence, and responsibility. These courses go far beyond basic range and static shooting practice. Defensive shooting courses equip you with proper defensive mindset, shooting techniques, stress inoculation, and situational awareness, to handle high-stress encounters effectively.
Real-World Training That Prepares You for the Unexpected
One of the primary benefits of a defensive shooting course is learning to handle a firearm safely and effectively under pressure. Unlike static range practice, which focuses on shooting stationary targets in a controlled environment, defensive shooting courses simulate real-world scenarios. For instance, you might practice drawing your firearm from a concealed holster while moving to cover, engaging multiple targets, or shooting in low-light conditions. These drills replicate the chaos of a real threat, where split-second decisions are critical. You will engage in drills that demonstrate how quickly an attacker can close a foot distance, teaching you to react swiftly and accurately. By training in such dynamic scenarios, you quickly learn where your defensive training gaps are and what you need to work on. Defensive shooting courses aid in developing the confidence and the abilities needed to perform under stress which could prove to be lifesaving skills.
Situational awareness is another cornerstone of defensive shooting training. Your firearm does not come with a cape and does not make you instantly invincible. Your primary goal should always be avoidance and never needing to draw your gun. These courses teach you to scan your environment for potential threats, identify escape routes, and recognize pre-attack indicators, such as an individual’s aggressive posture or unusual behavior. Instructors may use scenario based training and role-playing exercises where a “suspect” exhibits suspicious actions, prompting you to decide whether to engage, de-escalate, or retreat. This training sharpens your ability to assess risks in real time, potentially preventing confrontation. A 2023 study by the National Institute of Justice found that individuals trained in situational awareness were 40% more likely to avoid physical altercations compared to untrained individuals.
Understanding Legal and Psychological Responsibility
Understanding legal and ethical responsibilities of using a firearm is another critical component. Laws governing self-defense vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some states impose a “duty to retreat,” requiring you to attempt escape before using lethal force, while others uphold “stand your ground” principles. Defensive shooting courses that include classroom sessions led by legal experts or former law enforcement officers who explain these nuances are highly recommended.
These courses also address the ethical weight of taking a life, encouraging you to prioritize de-escalation and use force only as a last resort. This knowledge ensures you act within the law and avoid devastating legal or moral repercussions. The psychological demands of a life-threatening encounter can be overwhelming, with adrenaline, fear, and tunnel vision impairing decision-making.
A Path Toward Skill Development and Responsible Community
Defensive shooting courses prepare you for these challenges through stress-induced training. Some programs use timed drills or simulated attacks with non-lethal force on force training to mimic real-world pressure. Instructors may shout commands or introduce unexpected obstacles, teaching you to control your breathing and maintain focus. A 2022 report by the American Psychological Association noted that stress inoculation training, like that in defensive shooting courses, improves performance in high-pressure situations by up to 30%. This mental conditioning can mean the difference between being paralyzed by fear in a crisis or responding with clarity.
Defensive training courses also foster a sense of community among participants. Training alongside others, from first-time gun owners to seasoned shooters, creates opportunities to share experiences and learn from diverse perspectives. Instructors, often with military or law enforcement backgrounds, bring real-world insights. For example, a former SWAT officer might share tactics for clearing a room safely, enhancing your understanding of practical applications. This collaborative environment reinforces responsible firearm ownership and builds a network of likeminded individuals committed to safety.
Take Ownership of Your Safety
Many programs offer tiered training, from beginner courses focusing on fundamentals to advanced classes covering urban combat tactics. Training facilities such as Gunsitew and the Sig Sauer Academy offer courses for beginners and more advanced courses, allowing you to progress at your own pace. While the cost and time commitment may concern some, the long-term benefits outweigh these factors. The price of solid instruction is well worth it compared to the potential consequences of being unprepared.
Ultimately, a defensive shooting course empowers you to take control of your personal safety. Law enforcement response times can average 7-10 minutes and threats often emerge without warning. By training to defend yourself, you gain peace of mind and the ability to protect your loved ones. A defensive shooting course is a vital step for anyone serious about personal safety and responsible firearm ownership.
Originally published by CCW Safe October 2025
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The Best First Time CCW Classes Near You: What to Look ForBy: Joel T. Nadler
What makes a great initial Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) class? The answer will be different for each one of us depending on how we learn and where we are on our journey. What will be a good class for someone who is very comfortable around guns and is comfortable with firearm fundamentals, including accuracy and safety, will be different compared to someone that is new to guns. My goal in this article is to discuss how to match the right class to your current needs.
Background
I have been training people in armed self-defense for over three decades. During that time, I have continued to refine my classes and style to adapt to a wide range of experience levels from the beginning shooter to the person working on more advanced skills. As I have aged and gained more experience, I have naturally adapted to more experienced shooters (it comes more naturally as it is a better match to my own experiences). This is not to say I am not well grounded in the instruction of people newer to shooting. It is just that my own ability to remember being new to shooting, new to carrying, and new to training are getting further into my past. Thus, I must make additional efforts to remembering what it was like to be new to shooting when I teach others.
The psychological choice to learn about using guns defensively is a big step for many people. Additionally, the skills needed to do this safely and competently are relatively simple but can be overwhelming for a new shooter. I have seen very talented instructors overwhelm students with too much information just because their knowledge base is so vast. My personal suggestion is to first focus on classes that only address fundamentals of shooting safely. Don’t try to cram too much into your learning. Once you have incorporated such skills as gun safety, stance, sights, grip, and trigger press then move on to the more mechanical skills (speed reloading, malfunction clearances, and carrying (presenting and returning to a holster)).
Factors to Consider
My first advice is to master the skills of safety and basic accuracy first and then start looking for a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) class. There are several factors to consider in picking the class that is right for you. Your list may include factors that I have not listed and each of us may place different weights on each of these factors. For example, cost, times, or location may be factors as well in your personal choice. Here is my list in no specific order.
Knowledge and Experience of the Instructor. A good instructor should have a solid understanding of the laws governing the use of force in the jurisdiction they are teaching. Additionally, they need to understand the realities of civilian use of force (compared to military or law enforcement rules of engagement). Finally, they don’t need to be the best shooter in the world, but they should have competence in the physical skills they teach. With these skills they should also be able to detect what is happening with other’s shooting and make usable suggestions allowing them to coach students to better performance.
The differences between a good instructor and a poorer one are often hard for someone who is new to shooting to detect. Here are a few guidelines you can use. Are they certified to instruct others by at least one national civilian defensive organization? What are their reviews, what are others saying about them? Do they spend more time trying to convince you that they are the only ones you should listen to compared to teaching you the knowledge and skills you are there to learn? Do you feel they are listening to you and understanding your concerns?
Like all things in life, sometimes you must take a class to find out how well an instructor works for you. Be willing to change instructors if the one you have chosen is not a great fit. Also be willing to take other courses from other instructors as you build your skillsets. As you learn more about carrying and defensive use of force the better you will be in determining which instructors are right for you.
Compatibility with the Instructor. My father, a high school teacher, once told me “A good instructor is only one day ahead of his students.” I took this to mean that you need to remember what it was like to be learning something for the first time. Based on this, instructors should construct classes not to show how much they know, but to meet the students where they are in their own learning. We have likely all had the experience of an instructor that was immensely knowledgeable about a field but talked above their students to the point that it was not even useful.
A good instructor will meet you where you are no matter what your skill level is. They will hear your concerns, understand them, and address them realistically. If your instructor is not doing this, it does not mean they are an overall poor instructor. More likely they may be a great instructor for you later, just not right now on your journey.
Years later I was talking with my father and mentioned how much his words of advice had impacted on my own teaching. He just laughed and said that was not what he meant. What he was referring to is that if you can teach, it doesn’t matter what you are teaching if you are at least one day ahead in learning it yourself. I am not sure I agree with this interpretation. I do think a good instructor has fully mastered the material they are teaching. However, as the advice was intended it reminds us that most students are unaware of the overall skill levels of the people teaching us. It is when there is a problem, or you need to reach a struggling student that the levels of mastery may matter.
Content of the Class. A good first CCW class should at least equally deal with the skills needed to not have to defend oneself with a weapon. Such topics as situational awareness, avoiding or escaping unwanted situations (when safe) and determining courses of action and personal defensive plans should all be covered. Fundamentals of defensive shooting as well as safety should be covered as well. Mechanics such as malfunction clearances and presenting a firearm from a holster may or may not be included.
Personally, I would rather see a deeper treatment of the laws and responsibilities of becoming armed as a civilian than time spent on mechanics and tactics at least in a first-time class. If you are ready to address and learn all these topics, great! But many people need to learn in segments to not be overwhelmed. When assessing the content offered, be realistic in your own current skills and knowledge. Match yourself with a class that focuses on what you can realistically learn.
I have seen many classes teach too much or too little for the current skill level of some of their students. Honestly, I have seen way too many classes try to cram too much information in too little time. Though each skill may be simple to describe, becoming competent with each one takes time and practice.
Length of the Class. There are advantages to taking multi-day classes. These longer classes allow an instructor to cover more information and create drills that both teach the skills but allow for more practice of each skill taught. However, especially for a beginner it may be too much too quickly.
Start small and learn the fundamentals and then practice those skills before your next class. Basic safety and fundamentals of shooting can often be covered in two to four hours. Then once you feel confident with those skills seek a four to six-hour class that covers legal and practical information regarding civilian use of force, situational awareness, and some mechanics and tactics. Once you are competent with those skills you are ready for the next level of training. As in the previous suggestions, the goal is to realistically assess your own level of skills to identify what your next class should be. Find an instructor who has the right knowledge and skills, can teach to your current level, and offers the content and length of classes that are a good fit for your current skill level.
Additional Training Available. This factor asks if I find a good instructor for where I am at now do they continue to offer more advanced classes. Beyond my current needs can I continue to pursue my own development with additional classes? Ask not only are there classes available but is the instructor able to adapt to teaching those more advanced students.
I have encountered instructors that are great with newer students, but struggle with people who are more advanced in their skills. Likewise, some of my favorite instructors are great with more advanced students but struggle with those that are newer. Finally, some instructors can adapt to any level of skills and knowledge. All are still good instructors, the question is whether they are a good fit for you.
Conclusions
Do as much homework as you can on the experiences and reviews of the instructor, look at the course length and content, and when possible, meet the instructor before committing to a class. Ask if the class is a good fit for you, and if it is, are there more classes offered if you want to continue learning? Self-defense is a serious topic, and someone deciding to become an armed citizen has a responsibility to become knowledgeable, safe, and competent. This process often includes structured instruction (classes), private training, and follow-up practice of the skills learned in the first two.
Assess where you are currently in your skills and knowledge. Make a quick list of what you are looking for in a class. Use these assessments to pick the class that is the best fit for you
Originally published by CCW Safe October 2025
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What makes a great initial Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) class? The answer will be different for each one of us depending on how we learn and where we are on our journey. What will be a good class for someone who is very comfortable around guns and is comfortable with firearm fundamentals, including accuracy and safety, will be different compared to someone that is new to guns. My goal in this article is to discuss how to match the right class to your current needs.
Background
I have been training people in armed self-defense for over three decades. During that time, I have continued to refine my classes and style to adapt to a wide range of experience levels from the beginning shooter to the person working on more advanced skills. As I have aged and gained more experience, I have naturally adapted to more experienced shooters (it comes more naturally as it is a better match to my own experiences). This is not to say I am not well grounded in the instruction of people newer to shooting. It is just that my own ability to remember being new to shooting, new to carrying, and new to training are getting further into my past. Thus, I must make additional efforts to remembering what it was like to be new to shooting when I teach others.
The psychological choice to learn about using guns defensively is a big step for many people. Additionally, the skills needed to do this safely and competently are relatively simple but can be overwhelming for a new shooter. I have seen very talented instructors overwhelm students with too much information just because their knowledge base is so vast. My personal suggestion is to first focus on classes that only address fundamentals of shooting safely. Don’t try to cram too much into your learning. Once you have incorporated such skills as gun safety, stance, sights, grip, and trigger press then move on to the more mechanical skills (speed reloading, malfunction clearances, and carrying (presenting and returning to a holster)).
Factors to Consider
My first advice is to master the skills of safety and basic accuracy first and then start looking for a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) class. There are several factors to consider in picking the class that is right for you. Your list may include factors that I have not listed and each of us may place different weights on each of these factors. For example, cost, times, or location may be factors as well in your personal choice. Here is my list in no specific order.
Knowledge and Experience of the Instructor. A good instructor should have a solid understanding of the laws governing the use of force in the jurisdiction they are teaching. Additionally, they need to understand the realities of civilian use of force (compared to military or law enforcement rules of engagement). Finally, they don’t need to be the best shooter in the world, but they should have competence in the physical skills they teach. With these skills they should also be able to detect what is happening with other’s shooting and make usable suggestions allowing them to coach students to better performance.
The differences between a good instructor and a poorer one are often hard for someone who is new to shooting to detect. Here are a few guidelines you can use. Are they certified to instruct others by at least one national civilian defensive organization? What are their reviews, what are others saying about them? Do they spend more time trying to convince you that they are the only ones you should listen to compared to teaching you the knowledge and skills you are there to learn? Do you feel they are listening to you and understanding your concerns?
Like all things in life, sometimes you must take a class to find out how well an instructor works for you. Be willing to change instructors if the one you have chosen is not a great fit. Also be willing to take other courses from other instructors as you build your skillsets. As you learn more about carrying and defensive use of force the better you will be in determining which instructors are right for you.
Compatibility with the Instructor. My father, a high school teacher, once told me “A good instructor is only one day ahead of his students.” I took this to mean that you need to remember what it was like to be learning something for the first time. Based on this, instructors should construct classes not to show how much they know, but to meet the students where they are in their own learning. We have likely all had the experience of an instructor that was immensely knowledgeable about a field but talked above their students to the point that it was not even useful.
A good instructor will meet you where you are no matter what your skill level is. They will hear your concerns, understand them, and address them realistically. If your instructor is not doing this, it does not mean they are an overall poor instructor. More likely they may be a great instructor for you later, just not right now on your journey.
Years later I was talking with my father and mentioned how much his words of advice had impacted on my own teaching. He just laughed and said that was not what he meant. What he was referring to is that if you can teach, it doesn’t matter what you are teaching if you are at least one day ahead in learning it yourself. I am not sure I agree with this interpretation. I do think a good instructor has fully mastered the material they are teaching. However, as the advice was intended it reminds us that most students are unaware of the overall skill levels of the people teaching us. It is when there is a problem, or you need to reach a struggling student that the levels of mastery may matter.
Content of the Class. A good first CCW class should at least equally deal with the skills needed to not have to defend oneself with a weapon. Such topics as situational awareness, avoiding or escaping unwanted situations (when safe) and determining courses of action and personal defensive plans should all be covered. Fundamentals of defensive shooting as well as safety should be covered as well. Mechanics such as malfunction clearances and presenting a firearm from a holster may or may not be included.
Personally, I would rather see a deeper treatment of the laws and responsibilities of becoming armed as a civilian than time spent on mechanics and tactics at least in a first-time class. If you are ready to address and learn all these topics, great! But many people need to learn in segments to not be overwhelmed. When assessing the content offered, be realistic in your own current skills and knowledge. Match yourself with a class that focuses on what you can realistically learn.
I have seen many classes teach too much or too little for the current skill level of some of their students. Honestly, I have seen way too many classes try to cram too much information in too little time. Though each skill may be simple to describe, becoming competent with each one takes time and practice.
Length of the Class. There are advantages to taking multi-day classes. These longer classes allow an instructor to cover more information and create drills that both teach the skills but allow for more practice of each skill taught. However, especially for a beginner it may be too much too quickly.
Start small and learn the fundamentals and then practice those skills before your next class. Basic safety and fundamentals of shooting can often be covered in two to four hours. Then once you feel confident with those skills seek a four to six-hour class that covers legal and practical information regarding civilian use of force, situational awareness, and some mechanics and tactics. Once you are competent with those skills you are ready for the next level of training. As in the previous suggestions, the goal is to realistically assess your own level of skills to identify what your next class should be. Find an instructor who has the right knowledge and skills, can teach to your current level, and offers the content and length of classes that are a good fit for your current skill level.
Additional Training Available. This factor asks if I find a good instructor for where I am at now do they continue to offer more advanced classes. Beyond my current needs can I continue to pursue my own development with additional classes? Ask not only are there classes available but is the instructor able to adapt to teaching those more advanced students.
I have encountered instructors that are great with newer students, but struggle with people who are more advanced in their skills. Likewise, some of my favorite instructors are great with more advanced students but struggle with those that are newer. Finally, some instructors can adapt to any level of skills and knowledge. All are still good instructors, the question is whether they are a good fit for you.
Conclusions
Do as much homework as you can on the experiences and reviews of the instructor, look at the course length and content, and when possible, meet the instructor before committing to a class. Ask if the class is a good fit for you, and if it is, are there more classes offered if you want to continue learning? Self-defense is a serious topic, and someone deciding to become an armed citizen has a responsibility to become knowledgeable, safe, and competent. This process often includes structured instruction (classes), private training, and follow-up practice of the skills learned in the first two.
Assess where you are currently in your skills and knowledge. Make a quick list of what you are looking for in a class. Use these assessments to pick the class that is the best fit for you
Originally published by CCW Safe October 2025
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Dean Cummings: Tough Talk for Armed Defenders
“I knew it would have been the end of me if he got ahold of that gun.” That’s what Dean Cummings told a jury about his fatal confrontation with Guillermo Arriola on a remote desert property on February 29, 2020. Cummings was armed with a rifle — a Sig Sauer .556. Arriola was unarmed save for a canister of Mace, a deliberately less-lethal weapon. When a verbal argument erupted, Arriola attacked Cummings, resulting in a frantic struggle for the rifle.
Firearms and self-defense instructor Steve Moses says that if someone has the intent to do you harm, and they are able to incapacitate you with OC or pepper spray, it could potentially constitute an immediate threat of great bodily injury or death. Generally speaking, however, the threat of pepper spray does not necessarily justify the use of deadly force. Don West, criminal defense lawyer and National Trial Counsel for CCW Safe, says using a rifle against Mace represents a disparity of force that would seriously complicate a self-defense claim, and perhaps scuttle it altogether. During closing arguments, the prosecutor at Cummings’ trial told jurors “Mace is not great bodily harm.”
The problem for the prosecutors in the Cummings case is that the defense didn’t argue that the defender feared great bodily harm from the Mace. As Cummings’ testimony suggests, the defense argued that the immediate threat of death came from the possibility that the attacker would be able to wrestle the rifle away from Cummings and use it against him. Don West says that in a physical struggle, it is possible for the defender’s gun to become “the gun,” and it creates a strange situation where the defender’s firearm — when it is at risk of falling into the attacker’s hands — becomes the very threat that potentially justifies the defender’s use of deadly force.
In the Cummings case, Don says, “It was the fight for the rifle that resulted in the use of deadly force. But for Arriola trying to get ahold of the rifle, the other circumstances probably wouldn’t have justified the use of deadly force.”
Cummings didn’t intentionally introduce the rifle into the conflict — it was already there. Cummings was a guest on Arriola’s property. Arriola invited him to park his camper and spend some time there while considering if he wanted to purchase the land. Arriola even opened his home to Cummings, giving him access when he was away. It was on such an occasion that Cummings used Arriola’s kitchen table to work on the scope of his rifle with the intention of hunting barbary sheep in the surrounding hills.
When Cummings finished his work, he inserted a full magazine and leaned the rifle against the wall in the kitchen. Not expecting Arriola to come home for some time, Cummings left the rifle and went back to his camper – a mistake in judgment, Cummings later admitted. When Arriola came home earlier than expected, Cummings realized his mistake and went to retrieve his rifle.
But rather than grab his gun and leave, Cummings engaged in a conversation with the host. The conversation quickly turned to talk of problems that were delaying the sale. Cummings said, “I started calling him out, saying, “Are you trying to scam me?” Cummings admitted on the stand that he may have gone too far by calling Arriola a “scammer.” Enraged at the insult, according to Cummings’ testimony, Arriola pushed him to the ground and repeatedly tried to spray him with Mace. As Cummings struggled to “crab walk” away, he came within arms’ reach of his rife. He grabbed it, and a life-or-death struggle for the weapon ensued.
Like it or not, armed defenders have a moral obligation to try to avoid conflict — even verbal altercations — when they are armed or within proximity of their firearms. Steve Moses says, “If you have an issue with someone, going to them and calling them a ‘scammer’ is never a good idea.” We all have the right to speak our minds, Steve notes, but he suggests that doesn’t absolve us from the consequences. “We don’t control how others will think, or feel, or react.”
We’ve explored a number of cases where armed defenders initiated a verbal confrontation only to find themselves the target of a physical attack. In a movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida, Curtis Reeves complained about another patron’s cell phone use during previews. When Reeves told the man he had reported the cell phone use to the theater manager, the patron had a violent reaction, which prompted Reeves to draw his concealed pistol and shoot an unarmed man. In another case, Michael Dunn asked a group of teenagers to turn down the loud music they were playing in a gas station parking lot. He couldn’t have predicted that one of the teens would start shouting and making violent threats, prompting Dunn to pull his pistol from the glove compartment and fire at unarmed seventeen-year-old Jordan Davis. In a different parking lot, Michael Drejka took it upon himself to chastise Brittany Jacobs for parking in a handicapped spot. Drejka didn’t know that her boyfriend Markis McGlockton would come out of the store and shove him violently to the ground, prompting him to draw his pistol and shoot the unarmed attacker.
As armed defenders, Reeves, Dunn, and Drejka should have realized that any verbal confrontation with a stranger could provoke a violent reaction and create a scenario where they may have to decide if the use of deadly force is justified against an unarmed attacker. These defenders certainly had the right to engage with these strangers, but had they fully recognized the power and responsibility they have as concealed carriers, they might have more carefully considered whether initiating a verbal conflict over relatively petty infractions was worth the risk.
Cummings wasn’t carrying a concealed weapon when he confronted Arriola – the loaded rifle was already there, leaning against the kitchen wall in plain sight. Cummings knew it was there when he entered the home, which makes his decision to call Arriola a “scammer” all the more irresponsible. Of course, Cummings had an absolute right to confront Arriola about the property sale, but he did it without tact, and he did it in the presence of a rifle with a full magazine. It was a recipe for disaster.
As an armed defender, it is dangerous to leave unsecured weapons laying around — especially when there is a possibility they may end up in the wrong hands. Also, you should recognize that any verbal confrontation has the potential of turning violent, and as an armed defender, any violent confrontation you are in has the potential to spin out of control and result in the use of deadly force. As Don West points out, it’s particularly difficult for armed defenders to justify the use of deadly force against unarmed defenders. Handle your firearms responsibly. Avoid unnecessary confrontation. There is no reason to talk tough, especially when you are armed.
Originally published by CCW Safe in June 2023
“I knew it would have been the end of me if he got ahold of that gun.” That’s what Dean Cummings told a jury about his fatal confrontation with Guillermo Arriola on a remote desert property on February 29, 2020. Cummings was armed with a rifle — a Sig Sauer .556. Arriola was unarmed save for a canister of Mace, a deliberately less-lethal weapon. When a verbal argument erupted, Arriola attacked Cummings, resulting in a frantic struggle for the rifle.
Firearms and self-defense instructor Steve Moses says that if someone has the intent to do you harm, and they are able to incapacitate you with OC or pepper spray, it could potentially constitute an immediate threat of great bodily injury or death. Generally speaking, however, the threat of pepper spray does not necessarily justify the use of deadly force. Don West, criminal defense lawyer and National Trial Counsel for CCW Safe, says using a rifle against Mace represents a disparity of force that would seriously complicate a self-defense claim, and perhaps scuttle it altogether. During closing arguments, the prosecutor at Cummings’ trial told jurors “Mace is not great bodily harm.”
The problem for the prosecutors in the Cummings case is that the defense didn’t argue that the defender feared great bodily harm from the Mace. As Cummings’ testimony suggests, the defense argued that the immediate threat of death came from the possibility that the attacker would be able to wrestle the rifle away from Cummings and use it against him. Don West says that in a physical struggle, it is possible for the defender’s gun to become “the gun,” and it creates a strange situation where the defender’s firearm — when it is at risk of falling into the attacker’s hands — becomes the very threat that potentially justifies the defender’s use of deadly force.
In the Cummings case, Don says, “It was the fight for the rifle that resulted in the use of deadly force. But for Arriola trying to get ahold of the rifle, the other circumstances probably wouldn’t have justified the use of deadly force.”
Cummings didn’t intentionally introduce the rifle into the conflict — it was already there. Cummings was a guest on Arriola’s property. Arriola invited him to park his camper and spend some time there while considering if he wanted to purchase the land. Arriola even opened his home to Cummings, giving him access when he was away. It was on such an occasion that Cummings used Arriola’s kitchen table to work on the scope of his rifle with the intention of hunting barbary sheep in the surrounding hills.
When Cummings finished his work, he inserted a full magazine and leaned the rifle against the wall in the kitchen. Not expecting Arriola to come home for some time, Cummings left the rifle and went back to his camper – a mistake in judgment, Cummings later admitted. When Arriola came home earlier than expected, Cummings realized his mistake and went to retrieve his rifle.
But rather than grab his gun and leave, Cummings engaged in a conversation with the host. The conversation quickly turned to talk of problems that were delaying the sale. Cummings said, “I started calling him out, saying, “Are you trying to scam me?” Cummings admitted on the stand that he may have gone too far by calling Arriola a “scammer.” Enraged at the insult, according to Cummings’ testimony, Arriola pushed him to the ground and repeatedly tried to spray him with Mace. As Cummings struggled to “crab walk” away, he came within arms’ reach of his rife. He grabbed it, and a life-or-death struggle for the weapon ensued.
Like it or not, armed defenders have a moral obligation to try to avoid conflict — even verbal altercations — when they are armed or within proximity of their firearms. Steve Moses says, “If you have an issue with someone, going to them and calling them a ‘scammer’ is never a good idea.” We all have the right to speak our minds, Steve notes, but he suggests that doesn’t absolve us from the consequences. “We don’t control how others will think, or feel, or react.”
We’ve explored a number of cases where armed defenders initiated a verbal confrontation only to find themselves the target of a physical attack. In a movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida, Curtis Reeves complained about another patron’s cell phone use during previews. When Reeves told the man he had reported the cell phone use to the theater manager, the patron had a violent reaction, which prompted Reeves to draw his concealed pistol and shoot an unarmed man. In another case, Michael Dunn asked a group of teenagers to turn down the loud music they were playing in a gas station parking lot. He couldn’t have predicted that one of the teens would start shouting and making violent threats, prompting Dunn to pull his pistol from the glove compartment and fire at unarmed seventeen-year-old Jordan Davis. In a different parking lot, Michael Drejka took it upon himself to chastise Brittany Jacobs for parking in a handicapped spot. Drejka didn’t know that her boyfriend Markis McGlockton would come out of the store and shove him violently to the ground, prompting him to draw his pistol and shoot the unarmed attacker.
As armed defenders, Reeves, Dunn, and Drejka should have realized that any verbal confrontation with a stranger could provoke a violent reaction and create a scenario where they may have to decide if the use of deadly force is justified against an unarmed attacker. These defenders certainly had the right to engage with these strangers, but had they fully recognized the power and responsibility they have as concealed carriers, they might have more carefully considered whether initiating a verbal conflict over relatively petty infractions was worth the risk.
Cummings wasn’t carrying a concealed weapon when he confronted Arriola – the loaded rifle was already there, leaning against the kitchen wall in plain sight. Cummings knew it was there when he entered the home, which makes his decision to call Arriola a “scammer” all the more irresponsible. Of course, Cummings had an absolute right to confront Arriola about the property sale, but he did it without tact, and he did it in the presence of a rifle with a full magazine. It was a recipe for disaster.
As an armed defender, it is dangerous to leave unsecured weapons laying around — especially when there is a possibility they may end up in the wrong hands. Also, you should recognize that any verbal confrontation has the potential of turning violent, and as an armed defender, any violent confrontation you are in has the potential to spin out of control and result in the use of deadly force. As Don West points out, it’s particularly difficult for armed defenders to justify the use of deadly force against unarmed defenders. Handle your firearms responsibly. Avoid unnecessary confrontation. There is no reason to talk tough, especially when you are armed.
Originally published by CCW Safe in June 2023
