Legal, ethical and practical considerations of use of force

Online or in-person (3 hours)

As with all Peace Mindset courses, this content is for everyone from beginner to pro. This unique package of content brings concepts from other applicable topics, which reflects the need to have well-rounded skills. 

Legal:

Students will be able to apply their new understanding of the laws. They will also gain insight in to the current political and legal atmosphere around self defense and the 2nd Amendment (in a way that's not as boring as that sounds). This gives students valuable ability to understand and participate in discussions of gun laws with family and friends to help others understand what they're seeing and hearing, whether those family and friends are for or against the topic. You will be able to explain the missing pieces to people. Students will also begin to understand how to interpret the laws they're held to. It's important to check straight from the source sometimes. This course will point you straight to it and show you how to do that yourself.

Ethical

We will discuss the morality of self defense. Everyone makes their own choice, but if you don't work through the ideas before an event, your reactions may make that decision for you. It's vital to play the tape through ahead of time. The questions you'll consider in class will help prepare you to make split-second choices that align with your own moral code. We also discuss the implications of those choices with regards to the emotional and the legal aftermaths.

Practical

When we think of tactical training, gunfighting probably comes to mind. There is a whole world of tactics that applies to civilian self-defenders. This course will clear up mission creep, misconceptions, and horrible advice that applies only to cops but somehow made it into CCW culture.

Topics covered:

• state and federal gun laws;

  • • • federal, state, and local laws: the differences, and how they interact

      • general refresher on the legal system in the U.S. (checks and balances, passing of laws, execution of laws, judicial system, civil vs. criminal, the areas of law that treat firearms and self defense)

      • traveling, reciprocity, differences in laws by state, general similarities, traveling with a firearm, and noteworthy states’ laws (IL, NJ, NY, CA)

      • how to use statutes and judges' opinions

• situational awareness;

  • • • Use of force: tactical considerations

      • disrupting an attacker's plan, understanding awareness

      • signaling awareness to potential attackers

• conflict de-escalation;

  • • • de-escalation and non-confrontational mediation

      • Social Capital, creating buy-in and putting yourself on the same team

      • role play and practical exercises

• best practices when encountering law enforcement;

  • • • duty to notify, “from the perspective of a LEO,” variations by state, practice exercises

      • aftermath of a defensive encounter

        • • safe scene or leave; call 911; steps before, during and after police arrive

• prohibited places

  • • • carrying past a sign

      • recent court rulings

• conflict management;

  • • • F.L.A.M.E. approach to mediation

      • a peaceful mindset, and “losing every parking spot”

      • body language, managing your presentation, pre-attack indicators

      • firearm retention

• use of deadly force;

  • • • Use of force: legal, ethical and tactical considerations

      • force vs. deadly force as treated by law, Use of Force Continuum

      • defensive commands

      • elements of self defense

• putting it all together