Firearms are used in "self-defense" far more often than you think.  More than one million times annually on average. 

I say "self-defense" this way because, unfortunately, some of these are not justified or reasonable.  The "defender" may genuinely believe they were acting in self-defense and did so lawfully yet still end up in jail. 

How do you know what's justified and reasonable? 

If you own a gun for self-defense, be it home defense or concealed carry, your training should include learning the gun laws of your state. 

But, most of us have a life.  Work, kids, bills to pay, chores to run, and so on.  Besides, all these legalese can get confusing and overwhelming. 

So, to get you started, here are 3 suggestions to help keep you out of trouble, and hopefully, if you have to defend yourself, keep you out of jail too:

1. Don't be the cause of the altercation.  If you find yourself in one, don't add fuel to the fire.  Keep your ego in check.  Make every effort to de-escalate the situation, walk away, and make sure everyone around you sees you do it. 

2. If you must defend yourself, don't use greater force than is used against you.  For example, don't respond with a punch if someone insults you with just words or even spits at you. Don't take out a gun if someone punches you.  Do you get the point?

3.  Stop defending when the threat is over.  Once you neutralize the threat and you are no longer in immediate danger, stop using force and switch to being alert and call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.

The recent incident in the taco shop in TX is an example of how not following these suggestions may land this gun owner in jail.

He was not the cause of the altercation.  He used a level of force that was equal to that which he truly believed was being used against him and those around him. 

He neutralized the threat. However, after the threat was over, he continued to retaliate and then left the scene without notifying the police himself. 

It is sad because the armed citizen seemed like a decent guy.  His initial action was justified.  He was upset when he realized the gun used by the criminal was fake, and he asked the customers to take their belongings back.  These are not the actions of a bad person.  However, the excessive use of force, no matter the reasons, may land him in a heap of trouble. 

I dare say that had this armed citizen supplemented his firearm training with knowledge of the lawful use of a firearm in self-defense, he may have been able to restrain himself and keep his actions justified and reasonable. 

If you're serious about becoming a safe and responsible gun owner in Florida, then commit these 3 suggestions to memory.  But don't stop there.  Expand your knowledge a little each day.  We made it especially easy by making the FL Concealed Carry Law book by Ryan G Thomas available in a digital version.  Now you can have everything you need to know about the FL Concealed Carry Law in the palm of your hands so that you can stay informed and out of jail. 

So, what are you waiting for? Click on the link in the description to get your copy now, and I'll see you at the range.