In Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences-Part One, we discussed how personal safety is increasingly becoming a concern, and many people are turning to concealed carry weapons (CCW) for self-defense. We also discussed what so many people need help understanding or acknowledging: carrying a CCW or open carry comes with great responsibility and possible consequences. In Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences-Part Two, we will touch on points from Part 1 and discuss the responsibilities and consequences related to realistic, practical, and continuous training. But there is too much to learn and train on, and this article cannot possibly touch on everything, so I offer you some common sense considerations to build from.
So let’s jump right to the point; it is simply not enough to pass a Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit course, given the extreme responsibilities and consequences associated with bringing and mainly introducing a weapon into a chaotic situation where life and death hang in the balance. Most states have established requirements for obtaining a CCW permit, but these are minimum requirements; the rest is up to you. Some states do not even require a permit, which means there is no minimum training requirement. Therefore, anyone who decides to carry a weapon, either concealed or openly, has a moral and ethical obligation to undergo comprehensive training in weapons handling and retention. This article delves into the crucial importance of such training in ensuring both the safety of the carrier and those around them.
Understanding the Responsibility:
Carrying a concealed weapon is not merely an extension of one’s rights but also a significant responsibility. A firearm in the hands of an untrained individual can pose serious risks, not just to others but also to the carrier themselves. Therefore, CCW holders must recognize the weight of this responsibility and commit to proper training.
Understanding stress responses:
When faced with danger, the human body undergoes a series of physiological responses to prepare us to survive. These responses are collectively known as the fight-or-flight response, a primal reaction deeply ingrained in our evolutionary history. When confronted with a threat, the sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. These hormones rapidly increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and boost energy levels, enabling swift and decisive action. When this occurs, blood flow is redirected away from non-essential functions such as digestion and our extremities, and pushed towards vital organs and muscles, enhancing physical performance and reaction times. Sounds great, right? Well, there is a flip side to every coin.
While the fight-or-flight response is a vital mechanism for survival, it also poses inherent dangers to people facing threatening situations. One significant risk is the potential for impaired decision-making and cognitive functioning under extreme stress. Higher-order brain functions such as reasoning, judgment, and problem-solving can become compromised as the body prioritizes physical readiness for action. This can lead individuals to make impulsive or irrational choices, increasing the likelihood of further danger or harm.
Furthermore, the intensity of the fight-or-flight response often leads to perceptual distortions and sensory overload, particularly for those who do not train under stress. This stress overload impairs a person’s ability to assess situations and make informed decisions accurately. This can result in missed or misinterpreted danger cues and a diminished capacity for effective communication and cooperation with others. This may increase an unnecessary escalation of violence. In some cases, individuals may also experience confusion or memory lapses (Fog of War), further complicating their ability to effectively process and respond to the threat. Thus, while the fight-or-flight response is a critical survival mechanism, it is essential for individuals to be aware of its potential dangers and to develop strategies for managing and mitigating its effects in high-stress situations.
When placed under stress, the physiological responses to stress include a decreased span of vision, also known as Tunnel Vision. Thus, you are less likely to be aware of what is happening around you as you focus on what you perceive to be the main threat. Often, that is the other person’s weapon which gets magnified in your mind’s eye. That results in you only seeing the weapon, nothing else, not even uniformed officers who may arrive and challenge you, believing you to be the bad guy. Another stress response is auditory exclusion, meaning you are unable to hear what’s going on around you, such as gunshots, people trying to identify themselves, or even worse, police giving you commands to drop the weapon.
Consistent training under stress is an effective first step to managing your fight-or-flight responses. To take it a step further, incorporate Reality-Based Training exercises like range combat shooting, movement, and communication into your training. Plenty of solid instructors are out there to help you accomplish this task. However, this is not target shooting, so be sure they are experienced professionals with verified training and life experience in combat shooting.
Master the Basics:
When we think of the word “Basics,” we may view it as simply being low-skill, easy, or boring. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Mastering the basics of anything takes time, work, and dedication. Remember, we want to “Master” the basics, not simply perform them. The primary reason for mastering the basics of weapons handling is to be able to run your equipment with complete proficiency, safely and effectively. This encompasses simple aspects like weapon draw while operating the retention level of your holster of choice, proper grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and reloading (administrative reload, tactical reload, combat reload).
Although these are the very basics, with adequate training, you gain the ablity to handle your weapons confidently and accurately in low-stress situations and perhaps high-stress situations. But there are other basics that many people overlook or are simply unaware of. They include, weapon retention, movement, failure drills, seeking and correctly using cover or at least concealment, managing stress reactions, communicating, listening, decision-making, and follow-through. When you can master the basics at low stress, you must then master the basics at high stress. Fight the urge to attend the so-called High-Speed Low Drag trainings that are offered out there that claim you can train like a “Navy Seal”. The truth is, unless you are training with the consistency and intensity of Special Operations Units and other respected elite warriors, you are wasting your time and accomplishing nothing. Members of Special Operations Units continuously master the basics at every training, and when you see the basics masterfully performed, that is what high speed, low drag indeed looks like.
Commit to continuous meaningful training:
Continuous training instills muscle memory and reflexes that can prove invaluable during emergencies. The ability to reflexively break tunnel vision and auditory exclusion by training ourselves to scan with our eyes and control our breathing to reduce stress will help us prevent or minimize it in the first place. Training for muscle memory enables us to improve our draw, aim, and fire a weapon swiftly and accurately using principles like economy of motion, which can mean the difference between life and death in a self-defense scenario. Through consistent practice and training, you can hone your skills and increase your chances of effectively neutralizing a threat while minimizing collateral damage.
Weapon Retention and Disarm Techniques:
Weapon retention is one of the most critical aspects of weapon carry and use, yet one of the most overlooked. In addition to mastering weapons handling, anyone carrying a weapon must also be proficient in retention techniques.
Retention training focuses on preventing an assailant from disarming the carrier and using their firearm against them. It must include holstered weapon retention training and outside-the-holster weapon retention and control techniques. Both are equally important but understand that once you have drawn your weapon, it has now been introduced into whatever situation is unfolding and, unless retained by you, becomes a weapon that can and will likely be used against you or another innocent person.
This is especially critical in close-quarters encounters where physical contact is likely. Retaining control of a firearm during a struggle requires a combination of strength, technique, and situational awareness. CCW holders or anyone carrying a weapon must learn how to maintain control of that weapon while grappling with an attacker, ensuring that it remains securely holstered or within your grasp at all times. Without proper retention training, you risk having your weapons turned against you, escalating the danger of the situation. Remember, whenever you become involved in a situation while carrying a concealed or open-carry weapon, at least one weapon is always present, and this can change the dynamics completely.
Another critical aspect that must not be overlooked is your ability to disarm an assailant should you be disarmed and your weapon turned on you. If this occurs, know that you must be violent, dynamic, decisive, and 100% committed. Having survived and successfully regained my own weapon during a multiple assailant assault, I can assure you it is violent, dynamic, and stressful. There are typically no second chances, so do it right the first time; it does not need to be pretty, but it does need to be effective. Once you have regained control over your weapon, be decisive; either engage with that weapon or disengage completely. The most committed will win here! As I always say, that which does not kill us only makes us NOT want to do that again!
Weapon retention and disarming techniques are complex, dynamic, and a matter of life and death. This is why it is vital that you seek out and obtain training from verifiable experts. Current and former law enforcement and military trainers with CQB expertise are always your best bet. While I have the greatest respect for Martial Artists, they are not ideal for this type of training. Unless their style has been vetted in real-world deadly force CQB encounters, they should be avoided; there is no sports application here, no second place, no rematches, only catastrophic injury, death, or survival.
Risks and Consequences of Failing to Train:
As outlined in Part One, there are always criminal and civil risks and liabilities associated with carrying and or using a weapon in a dangerous encounter. Without proper training, you are more likely to mishandle your firearms, leading to accidental discharges and injuries. Improper storage, negligent handling, and a lack of understanding of firearm safety protocols can all contribute to accidents that could have been prevented with adequate training.
In the event of a self-defense shooting, you may face legal scrutiny regarding your actions. Without training in weapons handling and retention, some of you may struggle to articulate your actions effectively, leading to inconsistencies in your testimony and potentially undermining your credibility in court. Moreover, a lack of understanding of relevant laws and regulations could result in legal consequences, including criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
In addition to potential criminal charges, you may also face civil liability for injuries or damages resulting from using your firearms. In cases where lethal force is deemed unjustified or excessive, you may be held financially responsible for harm inflicted on others. Proper training can help CCW holders make informed decisions in high-pressure situations, minimizing the risk of unnecessary harm and subsequent legal liability.
However, the consequences of inadequate training in weapons handling and retention extend far beyond the basic criminal and civil risks and liabilities of being involved in a dangerous encounter. They include the lifelong emotional trauma of killing an innocent bystander, the physical risk of being killed or seriously injured by first responders, or being killed or seriously injured by an assailant with their weapon or yours.
Failing to invest in proper training is unacceptable, and can result in a range of legal and personal risks and liabilities, while also having long-lasting health and emotional repercussions or result in death. Mastery of weapons handling techniques, proficiency in retention strategies, and a thorough understanding of legal and ethical considerations are all crucial for effective self-defense and will help minimize the associated risks. Investing in proper training builds your readiness and confidence, making you better equipped to navigate the complexities of self-defense in an increasingly uncertain world.
Concealed Carry: Knowing the Responsibilities and Consequences – Part Two
