In self-defense law, it’s not enough that you feared an attacher—what ultimately matters is whether a jury will decide that your belief in imminent great bodily harm or death was objectively and subjectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances..

Criminal defense attorney Don West explains the core legal standard for the justifiable use of deadly force in self-defense, and firearms instructor Steve Moses provides a nuts-and-bolts tactical translation of the law to help inform armed defenders’ decision-making in a self-defense scenario.

Shawn Vincent talks with attorney Don West about the legal consequences of self-defense, including a discussion of the potential charges an armed defender could face in the wake of a self-defense shooting, and a candid exploration of the realities of enduring a criminal prosecution.

Steve Moses talks to Don West and Shawn Vincent about how proper self-defense training from qualified, credentialed instructors gives armed defenders the competence and confidence to make smart decisions in a dynamic self-defense scenario.

Lesson 1: The Goal of Self-Defense Is to Break Contact Breaking contact with an aggressor can mean using deadly force when justified, or simply walking away—with a range of actions in between, including verbal de-escalation techniques and less-lethal force options. By adopting a “break contact” self-defense mindset, armed defenders give themselves more tactical options while reducing the legal jeopardy resulting from a potential use-of-force event.

Firearms trainer Erick Gelhaus joins the podcast to talk about the tactical and legal benefits of a low-ready defensive display when a threat justifies the potential use of deadly force.

After more than 25 years in law enforcement, Doug Deaton became a consulting and testifying expert witness for defense attorneys and armed defenders in self-defense cases. True self-defense trials are relatively rare, and sometimes the prosecutor and judge – and especially the jury – aren't aware of all the nuances of self-defense law. That’s when having a good consulting expert like Doug Deaton can make the difference.

Retired police officer and firearms instructor Greg Ellifritz joins the podcast to talk about defensive display and brandishing incidents he responded to as a law enforcement officer. While brandishing a firearm is a crime, a justified defensive display of a firearm can be a viable alternative to using deadly force in a self-defense scenario.

A Wisconsin man came home to his apartment late at night and was surprised to find his home had been the target of burglars. He was even more surprised when one of those burglars returned to retrieve some valuables he had left behind. The occupant of the apartment shot and killed the intruder in a justified self-defense shooting. Don West and Steve Moses join Shawn Vincent to discuss the legal protections of the Castle Doctrine and the need for an armed defender to secure their home in the immediate aftermath of a break-in. 

An armed defender in Lapeer, Michigan was convicted of murder for shooting a man who was attacking him with a crowbar. It turns out, the shooter actually left the scene of the initial confrontation and came back. Also, evidence suggests the defender drew his pistol before the attack, making him the first aggressor. Don West and Steve Moses join Shawn Vincent to explore the lessons for concealed carriers.