What you should do if you defend yourself while carrying concealed
Many concealed carry courses cover the various state and local statutes regarding where it is and where it is not legal to carry a firearm. Most courses will teach basic marksmanship, firearms cleaning, how to safely load and unload a firearm as well as when the concealed carry permit holder is justified in the use of deadly force.
Very few courses cover what to do after a concealed carry permit holder is forced to defend him or herself.
The first thing to do, if the authorities have not been called is to dial 9-1-1. The concealed carry holder should make his statement brief when informing the dispatcher what has happened. The details should be kept to a minimum, but include what the responding officers need to know to identify you: “My name is John Doe, I was attacked at this location, I was in fear of my life, my attacker has been shot and is dead/wounded/detained, I am wearing a blue shirt and grey slacks. I will stay on the line until the officers arrive.” If asked if you shot your attacker, simply give your location, tell them to hurry, and inform them that you are legally armed but are no threat to responders and will surrender your firearm upon request and identification of a police officer. You should never admit to anything, even if what you did was entirely legal.
It is a good idea not to have the firearm in hand when police arrive at a shooting. The handgun should be made safe and placed in its holster. In a secure location it may be wise to place it on the ground. Do not ever attempt to hand a gun to a police officer. If the handgun is on your person, tell the officer where it is and ask him to retrieve it if necessary.
When it comes to interacting with first responders, try to keep your statements as brief as possible. Remember, your adrenaline will be surging, and that affects your perception of events. Trained law enforcement professionals will initially look at any scene where someone has been shot as a crime scene, and there is nothing you can say to a police officer to make your life easier. You should always speak to an attorney before making a statement of any kind. This will be a highly charged situation and statements given while not thinking clearly could put you in jeopardy with the law, especially if your statement contradicts something you remember later with a clearer mind. It is perfectly acceptable to say the following, “Officer, I have just been through a very stressful situation and may not be capable of making an accurate statement at this time, I wish to speak with my attorney.”
Police officers are some of the finest people in the world, but in a court of law, only one person is your advocate, and it’s not them. Your attorney is your best friend, and he or she understands how to navigate the legal system much better than you do. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be arrested or detained. This has happened in many incidents involving a concealed carry holder lawfully using their firearm in self-defense, even in states and cities which have very lenient laws regarding concealed carry.
The best advice is to find and consult with a local attorney who specializes in firearms law and the use of deadly force. Make no statement at the scene, as you will remember what happened much better after the adrenaline surge clears, and only make a statement to your attorney. Counseling with a self-defense attorney beforehand will also help prepare you if the worst happens and you need to defend yourself. The contents of this Blog do not constitute legal advice, and should not be treated as such.
Lastly, consider carrying Self-Defense Insurance from USCCA. Self-defense insurance will help cover the legal fees of a criminal defense in the event of an acquittal. Just like you carry a gun as the last line of defense from a criminal, self-defense insurance is your last line of defense from an over-zealous prosecutor.
