Avoidance, Deterrence, and De-escalation

[Sweatnbullets]

Your number one philosophy for personal security should be a life long commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Avoidance: The act of avoiding or keeping away from (Three Stupid Rule.) If you can safely retreat from the encounter, by all means do so. For instance, if you are out for a walk and feel threatened or intimidated by an occupant of a car, you should retreat in the opposite direction that the car is traveling.

Deterrence: The act of discouraging someone from taking hostile action against you by being aware of them and their possible intent.

De-escalation: The act of decreasing in intensity. To not let your ego or emotions get the best of you, to refrain from escalating the problem into more than it already is. As a CCW you may need to back down from non-life threatening, argumentative encounters in order to not allow things to spiral out of control.
When these things do not work, then and only then may you need to show or use the gun. Just because we are carrying does not mean that we need to use the gun. You want to do whatever is reasonably possible to avoid using the gun. But when your well researched, well thought out “line in the sand” has been crossed you need to act without hesitation.

The “Three Stupid” Rule

“Do not go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things”

We all know that nobody wants thugs to dictate where they can or cannot go. Put there are simply some places, people, and things that you should avoid if you want to lower your risks. You can cut down on your risks by a good 95% if you just follow the three stupid rule.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[MinistrMalic]

Love it. Couldn't agree more, and your rule brings me back to the old John Wayne quote: "Life is hard. It's harder when you are stupid."

[C9H13NO3]

For instance, if you are out for a walk and feel threatened or intimidated by an occupant of a car, you should retreat in the opposite direction that the car is traveling.

Fixed it for ya.

I agree. The best way to not get into a gunfight is to avoid one altogether. People also need to remember that the fact that they carry is not an excuse to do stupid things. I see many with the attitude of "It's OK if walk through this dangerous part of town now since I'm armed!". If you wouldn't do something unarmed, don't do it armed either. Especially don't let your friends get you in those situations because they may know you're armed.

[Sweatnbullets]

Fixed it for ya.

Thank you!

[Harryball]

Nice post...Not provoking while being armed is the way I carry.

[Matthew Temkin]

The best advice I was ever given:

1) Don't go--or do--anything while armed that you would no go/do unarmed.

2) If you have time to doubt, then you probably should not be shooting.

3) War is like marriage--it seem appealing to men who have never done it.

[hayzor]

A friend of mine once said (I don’t know if it was original or not).

Those that aren’t smart enough to live ……Die.

[Sweatnbullets]

The Use of Deadly Force:

Three things must be in place in order to justify the use of deadly force. It is easily remembered by the acronym AOI. It stands for:

Ability

Does the attacker have the ability or the means to present a serious danger to you? Does he have the weapon, the size, and/or the strength to cause you death or grave bodily harm?

Opportunity

Does the attacker have the opportunity to cause you death or grave bodily harm? Does his proximity put you in serious danger?

Intent

Does the attacker have the intent, right now, to do you grave bodily harm? There must be imminent jeopardy of death or grave bodily harm.

If any one of these three things are missing, you do not have the justification to use deadly force.

[Rock and Glock]

“Do not go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things”

Great rule!

I'd add "At any time, but never late at night"

[retsupt99]

Excellent advice...may I mention that alcohol tends to lessen the importance of post #1?