1. After a self-defense shooting, remaining calm and in control will be important because it will set the tone for how others perceive you and how law enforcement officers interact with you.

2. The element of "Jeopardy" exists when "Ability" and "Opportunity" exist and the attacker's actions and or words indicate he actually intends to carryout the deadly assault.

3. AOJ-P is short for Ability, Opportunity, Jeopardy and Preclusion. If all four elements are satisfied, the use of deadly force is generally authorized. The AOJ-P analysis is used to identify a real threat and imminence of the danger being faced.

4. For someone that has never handled a firearm before, specifically a handgun, it is highly recommended that the individual seek out training from someone with experience in firearms training.

5. The fundamental rules for safe gun handling include: (1) Treat all firearms as if they are loaded; (2) Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction; (3) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; and (4) Keep the firearm unloaded and safely stored until ready for use (a firearm designated for self-defense is considered to be in use).

6. A gun or knife are examples of "ability" to cause great bodily harm or death.

7. In the state of Minnesota, the shooting qualification to get your permit to carry a firearm, typically consists of firing 30 to 50 rounds of ammunition at two different distances into two targets.

8. If you believe a threat will soon turn into physical violence, you may take the following actions to preempt an attack (least aggressive to most aggressive): (1) Issue verbal commands. Expose your firearm but leave the gun in the holster, keeping your hand on the guns grip so the gun can be quickly pulled and put into action (2) Issue verbal commands. Pull your gun from its holster and keep the gun at your side or at a low ready position (pointed toward the ground at approximately a 45 degree angle) (3) Issue verbal commands. Pull your gun from its holster and point your gun at the attacker

9. Where home security is concerned, always keep garage and exterior doors closed and locked. Never answer the door unless you are expecting someone.

10. Depending on your jurisdiction, there are up to five elements of self-defense law:

  1. Avoidance - Escape if you can
  2. Innocence - Don't start or provoke the fight
  3. Imminence - The attack has started or is about to begin immediately (AOJ-P analysis)
  4. Proportionality - Equal force (you cannot use deadly force against a non-deadly threat)
  5. Reasonableness - You made good decisions under the circumstances

If a prosecutor can disprove any of the five elements, your self-defense justification collapses.

11. In some but not all states, parents are legally liable for the actions of their children when it comes to firearms in the home.

12. A claim of self-defense requires that you be an innocent party and a reluctant participant in the altercation.

13. According to the NRA, firearms and ammunition should be store separately and firearms should always be stored unloaded.

14. There are five possible responses to a life-threatening encounter:

  1. Freeze - The victim of the attack may be so overwhelmed or surprised by being threatened, the victim may become incapable of any action;
  2. Submit - Simply giving into the attacker;
  3. Posture - Combat without combat. Words, sounds, gestures and body language are weapons used to dominate, intimidate and subdue another. Depending on circumstances, the attacker and the victim, one may try to out-bluster the other until one backs down or flees.;
  4. Flight - Retreat or running away from the situation;
  5. Fight - The use of reasonable force to prevent an attacker from harming you

15. In the State of Minnesota, you may carry concealed or carry openly as long as you have been trained and the sheriff has issued you a permit to carry a firearm.

User Details