7 Tips on the Use of Force for Self-Defense
Legal Notice
The above graphic is the property of the Spartan Firearms Training Group and it is protected under the copyright laws of the United States. If you would like to use the graphic in your training please contact us frank@spartanfirearmstraininggroup.com to receive permission to use it.
Legal Disclaimer
Check your state’s laws for justified self-defense using deadly force. The laws vary.
Use of Force for Self-Defense
Spartan Firearms Training Group teaches all of our concealed carry students about firearm laws governing the use of lethal force. We created the graphic shown above to illustrate several strategies for using force for self-defense.
Most self-defense laws require the use of reasonable defensive measures given the nature of an attack. For example, if your first defensive move is to shoot when facing a person who is only threatening you verbally that is not considered “reasonable.” You also need to know if your state requires you to “escape” from a dangerous situation if it is safe to do so. Maryland has that requirement.
The graphic represents a way to think about the use of force before you actually have to use it. It gives you a range of options depending on the nature of any given situation.
Level 0: When outside the home practice informed situational awareness.
Level 1: Develop a physical presence that does not make you look like a potential victim
Level 2: Be prepared to use strong and loud verbal commands
Level 3: Be ready to grab a hand, wrist, or arm to direct the person away from you,
Level 4: Be ready to use mace, pepper spray, stun gun, and so on
Level 5: Be ready to use hard impact punching, kicking, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (we prefer Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at http://www.realjiujitsu.com/)
Level 6: Be ready to use your concealed handgun
Important Point
The above description of the use of force levels does not mean that you have to go through each step before taking action. You have to decide quickly which level you need to be at given the threat in front of you; for example, depending on the nature of the threat you might go from Level 0 to Level 6 instantly. Or, you might jump from Level 2 to Level 5.
To think and react quickly you must mentally rehearse your possible reactions to various dangerous situations. We do this daily while driving, walking, and while sitting in restaurants. By rehearsing possible scenarios when you are faced with a dangerous situation you will think “I knew this would happen some day and I know what to do about it” and you will react appropriately.
Legal Considerations
In many jurisdictions the following five elements of justifiable use of lethal force apply:
1. Innocence- you cannot be the aggressor.
2. Imminence-you must believe the threat is going to happen right now.
3. Reasonableness- disparity of force, big vs. small, male vs. female, etc.
4. Avoidance- a duty to retreat if it is safe to do so.
5. Proportionality-just enough to stop the threat
*Even if all of the above conditions are met, you could still face legal consequences.