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THE TEST
Can You Pass This Self-Defense Test?

Chuck Klein, Copyright 2022

Published: THE BLUE PRESS, Oct 2022 (Page 76) dilloncdn.com/magento/bluepress/2022/oct-2022.pdf

Knowing how to shoot is the easy part
Knowing when is the important part
 

PREFACE
We are living in very dangerous times with ever increasing drug-related shootouts, gang warfare battles, disgruntled murderous employees, psychotic killers, stalkers, and robbers with no feelings for human life, enigmatic mass shooters and politically motivated fanatics, etc. Adding to this escalating violence is the multiplicity of super-predators or just plain bad guys that are carrying guns. The proliferation of firearms in our social makeup has made being proficient at hand-to-hand defensive techniques academic.

The recent spate of states allowing constitutional carry is good…and not so good. Great inasmuch as the Second Amendment is finally being acknowledged and recognized as a “shall not be infringed” right. Also on the plus side, citizens in most states are not burdened with having to secure a state-issued permit to exercise a right they’ve had all along

On the downside is that some law-abiding gun-toters have not received training in hitting the target and education in knowing when to engage a lethal threat. Being able to hit the target and more importantly if the target should be hit is problematic not only for the shooter (liability wise), but for the rest of us should we become an inadvertent victim due to a missed shot. In other words, yahoos opening fire under wrongful conditions and missing their target could jeopardize not only innocents present, but gun owners, per se) It’s incumbent on all gun owners to become proficient in the aspects of use of force, and this Q&A, hopefully, will aid the practitioner in the mental traits required for self-defense carry. This is not a game. There are real life-and- death consequences every time a firearm is used.

Note: Some of these questions seem to have more than one correct answer, but there is only one best answer. The answers to the following questions are personal opinions of the author, thus no accountability, liability or responsibility is assumed: always seek legal advice from a practicing attorney in your jurisdiction

THE QUESTIONS
1) While shopping at a local convenience store, you notice the terrified look on the cashier’s face as she hands over money from the register to a hooded person holding what appears to be a short-barreled shotgun. The hooded person tucks the gun into his long overcoat and moves toward the exit. You are legally carrying a concealed firearm. Do you:
a) Follow the hooded person outside where there are no bystanders, draw your handgun and, while chasing him and pointing your gun at him, call for him to halt or you’ll shoot?
b) Draw your gun and shoot the hooded person before he exits the store?
c) Without drawing your handgun, shelter-in-place and call 9-1-1?
d) Draw your handgun and be prepared to use it should there be accomplices still in the store or the robber returns – then call 9-1-1?. ANSWER  

2) Accompanied by two loved ones, you are walking on a public sidewalk with your legally carried firearm concealed in a hip holster. Suddenly, you are confronted by a man brandishing a handgun, standing at arm’s length, and demanding your money. Do you:
a) While looking him in the eye and vocally telling him to go away in a commanding voice, ignore his demands, while placing yourself in front of your loved ones and reaching for your cell phone?
b) Immediately reach for your cell phone to call 9-1-1 while telling your loved ones to run away?
c) Grab for his gun with one hand while drawing your own gun and then shoot him if he has not relinquished control of his gun by the time your gun comes to battery?
d) Do not look him in the eye, beg him to point his gun away and while promising to give him your money which you tell him is in your hip pocket. Then slowly reach for your hip-holstered gun, draw it and shoot him – continually and until he is no longer a threat?
e) Surrender your money and when he turns to leave, draw your gun and shoot him?ANSWER

3) Where is the safest and best location to keep a self-defense handgun?
a) In a locked container?
b) In a secure, but accessible only to you, locked container?
c) On your person?
d) In your motor vehicle? ANSWER

4) You are legally carrying a concealed handgun and while standing next to your car in a shopping center parking lot, you hear a disturbance) Turning to look, you see a man about your size, beating another person with a length of 2x4. The man is across a driving lane – about 25 feet from you. He sees you looking at him, raises the 2x4, screams he’s going to kill you and then begins to advance) Considering your safety and legal consequences, do you:
a) Draw your weapon and shoot him?
b) Run away?
c) Draw your handgun and fire a warning shot then shoot him if necessary?
d) Shoot to wound in the arm or leg?
e) Enter your car and call 9-1-1, draw your handgun and be prepared to use it? ANSWER

5) Before retiring for the night, you should check to see if:
a) Everyone is home that should be?
b) The doors are locked, and night lights set/
c) Your home defense device is in place and undisturbed?
d) All the above? ANSWER

6) Suppose a road-rage incident occurs and you and the other driver pull off the road, stopping about 50 feet apart, and exit your vehicles. The other driver, who is about your size, then starts to walk toward you carrying a raised tire iron and saying he’s going to beat you to a pulp. You immediately back up and shout, “I’m sorry, I’ll just get in my car and go away.” The other driver lowers the tire iron, turns, and starts toward his car. At this point, you draw your gun that you legally carry and shout, “If you don’t get out of here, I’ll shoot you dead.” He turns and starts toward you, raising the tire iron.
Would you:
a) Be justified in using lethal force if you first fired a warning shot?
b) Be justified in using lethal force because he represented an immediate threat of death or great bodily harm to you?
c) Not be justified in shooting because the threat had passed and you re-opened the altercation, thus becoming the aggressor and therefore losing your right to self-defense?
d) Not be justified in shooting because a tire iron is not a lethal weapon?
e) Both a) and b)? ANSWER

7) Exercising your right to self-defense when under attack, and when there is no other option, shooting to wound is:
a) Not recommended because it is nearly impossible, under stress of a lethal force incident, for even the best of marksmen to stop a deadly attack by intentionally wounding;
b) Not recommended because wounded persons can be very dangerous. A wounded person may not cease his/her life-threatening actions and can intentionally or unintentionally kill innocent bystanders.
c) Not recommended because the most effective means of immediately stopping a deadly assault is by causing your bullets to strike the largest area – center mass – of your assailant’s body
d) All the above
e) Rather than risk a murder charge or the taking of another’s life, shooting to wound is the preferred method of dealing with lethal force encounters ANSWER

8) During a lethal force incident, the last thing a morally responsible, prudent civilian wants to do is:
a) Be killed
b) Be labeled a coward
c) Kill another person
d) Lose his/her right to CCW ANSWER

9) The killing of one human being by another is called:
a) Murder?
b) Negligent homicide?
c) Excusable homicide?
d) Justifiable homicide/
e) Any of the above ANSWER

10)) The purposeful and unlawful killing of one human being by another is called:
a) Murder?
b) Negligent homicide?
c) Excusable homicide?
d) Justifiable homicide ANSWER

11) You are the lawful owner of a handgun. Should you:
a) Never carry outside your home?
b) Carry all the time, even in your own home
c) Carry only when you might be visiting an unsafe location?
d) Carry all the time, except when in your own home ANSWER

12) You are in a big-box store when you hear gunfire. You look to your right to see a man with a rifle walking and shooting. He is about a grocery isle (20’) away. He sees you and begins to turn toward you. Do you:
a) Draw and shoot from the hip until the threat no longer exists?
b) Draw and while looking intently at the center mass of his body shoot the instant your handgun reaches battery and continue shooting until the threat no longer exists?
c) Draw and shoot as soon as you are able to establish a good sight picture on the center mass of the threat and continue shooting until the threat no longer exists?
d) Draw and shoot as soon as you are able to establish a good sight picture on the perp’s leg to stop his advance and end the threat? ANSWER

13) You are 5’2” weighing 120 pounds and legally carrying a handgun. While strolling through a public park, a man who appears to be about 6’2” weighing at least 220 pounds rapidly approaches you from a distance of less than seven yards as he raises his fists and begins shouting obscenities. There is no question in your mind that the intent of this person is to cause you serious harm. Do you:
a) Run away as fast as you can while trying to call 9-1-1?
b) Draw your legally carried handgun with one hand and use your other hand to possibly fend off this aggressive person?
c) Inasmuch as he has not touched you, calmly retract your cell phone and call 9-1-1?
d) Draw your handgun and shoot him? ANSWER

14) You are 6’2” weighing 220 pounds and legally carrying a handgun. While strolling through a public park, a man who appears to be about 5’2” weighing about 120 pounds rapidly approaches you and at a distance of less than seven yards, raises his fists and begins shouting obscenities. There is no question in your mind that the intent of this person is to cause you serious harm. Do you:
a) Run away as fast as you can while trying to call 9-1-1?
b) Draw your handgun with one hand and use your other hand to possibly fend off this aggressive person?
c) Stand your ground and return his insults in a loud voice?
d) Draw your handgun and shoot him? ANSWER

15) Exiting your home, you watch an unidentified man slash a tire on your car that is parked on the public street. You call 9-1-1 while shouting at the man to stop. He then begins pouring a liquid, with the distinct odor of gasoline, on your car. Do you:
a) Draw your legally carried handgun, point it at him and order him to stop?
b) Draw your legally carried handgun and shoot him before he can torch your car?
c) Shout at him while calling 9-1-1, but do not approach him?
d) Rush the man and physically attack him to keep him from doing further damage? ANSWER

16) In the immediate aftermath of having to deploy lethal force to defend yourself with your legally carried firearm you should:
a) Be sure the threat is no longer a danger?
b) Holster/pocket your firearm?>
c) Call 9-1-1, stating your name, location and a very brief description of the incident being sure to note you were defending your life?
d) Call your lawyer?
e) All the above and in that order? ANSWER

17) Having witnessed a lethal force incident, you should:
a) Vacate the scene as soon and quickly as possible?
b) Wait for the arrival of law enforcement officers and tell them what you witnessed?
c) Call 9-1-1?
d) Call your lawyer?/>
e) Both b) and c) – in reverse order? ANSWER

18) You are hunting deer alone in deep forest with your legally carried rifle. You come upon a man sleeping on the ground with a revolver next to his hand. You recognize him as a person wanted by the police for a mass killing. Do you:
a) Use your firearm to blow him away before he awakens and can then use his gun to shoot you?
b) Make noise to awaken him while keeping your hunting rifle trained on him and then order him to move away from his revolver, then call 9-1-1?
c) Quietly retreat to a safe distance to call 9-1-1?
d) Quietly approach to take his revolver away from him before calling 9-1-1? ANSWER

19) You are with your granddaughter in the hospital when she awakens from a coma after having been brutally beaten and raped. She tells you the perp’s name and where he lives. Do you:
a) Drive to his house while calling 9-1-1?
b) Call the police with this information?
c) Drive to his house, seek him out and shoot him with your legally carried firearm?
d) Withhold this information and tell her to also not tell anyone as the perp or his family might seek retribution? ANSWER

20) The Stand Your Ground law means:
a) You have the Constitutional right to not back down from a confrontation?
b) There is no such law?
c) Some states have enacted such a law that removes the obligation to flee when confronted with a lethal threat?
d) A federal law that removes the obligation to flee when confronted with a lethal threat? ANSWER

 

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ANSWERS

1a) Wrong. Unless you are a law enforcement officer, you have no duty, power or right to apprehend the robber. When you point a firearm at another it is a felony in most jurisdictions, self-defense notwithstanding. See d) Below:
b) Wrong. Intentionally shooting another is murder, self-defense notwithstanding.
c) Correct. Your life is not in immediate danger. Just because you’re packing a heater, doesn’t mean you need to display it.
d) Wrong. Brandishing a firearm might get you killed. Responding law enforcement officers, the store owner/ manager or on-scene, off-duty LEOs might mistake you as one of the robbers. Return

2a)  Wrong. If you believe that psychological tough talk will enable you to bluff your way out of a dangerous situation, you might be Wrong - dead Wrong. Superpredators – losers with nothing to lose – can’t be bluffed.
b) Wrong. Some thugs, especially those strung out on drugs, will shoot you even after you have complied with their request.
c) Wrong. Only in the movies
d) Correct. There are no guarantees in life, but this is your best option – practice your draw.
e) Wrong. If he is no longer a threat and you shoot him, it’s called murder. See b) above Return

3a)  Wrong. It wouldn’t be of much value if needed in a Hurry.
b) Wrong, but maybe at night if you have small children in the home.
c) Correct. On your person, a handgun is only accessible to you and is instantly available.
d) Wrong. Not even when you’re operating the MV. If accessible it might be in violation of local laws and subject to theft if the vehicle is left unattended. Return

4a)  Correct. The man has beaten another with a weapon that can cause death or great bodily harm, he is advancing toward you, and he has verbally indicated he is going to kill you. At such close distance, you might only have time to draw and fire. You shoot for center mass (chest/abdomen) and continue shooting until the threat is gone. And, no, you are not trying to kill him – only stop his illegal and unwarranted deadly assault (Legally defensible)
b) Wrong. You might not be able to outrun him. Even if you are younger and a world-class sprinter, turning your back on a killer and trying to outrun him, without tripping, in a parking lot full of cars, people and shopping carts is not a good plan.
c) Wrong. Warning shots are almost never a good tactic as an errant shot could injure an innocent person. Witnesses, after the fact, could implicate you as the aggressor. A legal nightmare.
d) Wrong. Even police are not trained to shoot to wound) Trying to hit a moving limb is most difficult and even if successful, at such close distance, might not even slow him down. If unsuccessful (and you survive) a legal nightmare
e) Wrong. You might not have time to open the door and enter the vehicle the windows of which offer little protection. Return

5a)  Wrong. Not the best answer. See d) below
b) Wrong. Not the best answer. See d) below
c) Wrong. Not the best answer. See d) below
d) Correct. Prudent people should routinely make these observations including checking their “home defense device” which can be anything from a firearm to a baseball bat to the telephone. Return

6a)  Wrong. Not be justified in shooting because the threat had passed and you re-opened the altercation, thus becoming the aggressor and therefore losing your right to self-defense. Warning shots are almost never a good plan as an errant shot could injure an innocent person. Witnesses, after the fact, could implicate you as the aggressor. A legal nightmare) Court and state laws will never allow you to suck someone into a confrontation for the purpose of then claiming self-defense after killing him/he.
b) Wrong. Stand-your-ground laws do not apply to incidents in which you are the aggressor. See a) above.
c) Correct. If you create a lethal force incident, you must make it clear that you realize your error and stop your aggressive behavior. The problem here is proof. Sans conclusive evidence that you capitulated, might make it insurmountable when defending a charge of wrongful shooting. If you carry a concealed weapon in public, you can’t go around trying to egg someone on so you can bring out the hardware to blow them away.
d) Wrong. Tire iron or any item that can be used as a weapon, including but not limited to, a length of 2x4, shovel, baseball bat, etc.
e) Wrong. See c) above. Return

7a)  Wrong. Not a complete or best answer.
b) Wrong. Not a complete or best answer.
c) Wrong. Not a complete or best answer.
d) Correct. All the above.
e) Wrong. Shooting the gun out of the attacker’s hand or other “trick” shots are only found in the movies. Shooting to wound is an intentional act of assault (murder if the target dies). The only goal of the shooter is to STOP the deadly attack. Return

8a)  Correct. The “second” to last thing a morally responsible, prudent person wants to do is kill another person – but the last thing he/she wants to do is be the victim. Everything else is tied for third place.
b) Wrong. Tied for third place (LEOs excepted).
c) Wrong. Second Place.
d) Wrong. Tied for third place. Return

9a)  Wrong. Not the only or best answer.
b) Wrong. Not the only or best answer.
c) Wrong. Not the only or best answer.
d) Wrong. Not the only or best answer.
e) Correct. Legal definitions for taking the life of another human range from Murder (unlawful killing) to Negligent homicide (your fault auto accident) to Excusable homicide (willful but legal, such as the executioner at the state prison) to Justifiable homicide (you were justified because he was trying to kill you). Return

10a) Correct. If you killed someone on purpose and without legal authority, it’s murder.
b) Wrong. If you did it on purpose, it’s not due to negligence.
c) Wrong. Only if it is lawful.
d) Wrong. Not if it is unlawful. Return

11a)  Wrong. See b) below.
b) Correct. Lt. Umbaugh’s law: “One either never carries, or one always carries, but one never sometimes carries.” Imagine your home is the mistaken target of gangbangers believing you are a stockpiling drugdealer? If they kick the door down while you and the family are watching TV or sitting at the kitchen table, what are you gonna do…holler “kings,” “times” or “Hey, no fair fellas, let me get my gat?” Suppose during normal waking hours, there’s an innocent knock at the front door – by a person in normal attire or dressed like an ordinary delivery driver? The threat then pushes the door open as he intrudes. If you have to do anything other than draw (and fire if necessary), you (and your family) are the ones at the mercy of the invader. Small children at home? What safer place than secure on your person?
Sometimes carriers run the risk of not having their piece with them when they need it such as when you want to run down to the local convenience store – with your young daughter – for a soda, but don’t want to bother with strapping on your handgun…then walk in on a mass shooting. Or forgetting they are packing when entering a forbidden area such as an airport, courthouse, etc.
c) Wrong. See b) above.
d) Wrong. Not the best answer, see b) above. Return

12a)  Wrong. Only in old cowboy movies or at contact Distances.
b) Correct. Called Instinct Combat Shooting, it is the most effective method hitting a moving target in the shortest amount of time.
c) Wrong. Taking time – even milliseconds – to establish sight alignment or find the “red dot” might be all the time the perp needs to complete his attack on you. Sighted fire is most difficult if not impossible with a handgun against a moving target.
d) Wrong. Except for a knee hit – a very small target – it has significantly less chance of stopping an advancing threat…double/triple taps are virtually impossible especially on a moving target. Return

13a)  Wrong. He may be faster than you or you might Trip.
b) Wrong. This is a disparity of force incident where the attacker is significantly larger than you.
c) Wrong. It is not required that one be injured before deploying lethal force – only that one believes death or great bodily harm is imminent and there is no other option. See b) above.
d) Correct. This is disparity of force coupled with your belief that you are about to be seriously injured or killed, and the close distance leaves you no other option. Return

14a)  Correct. Run away as fast as you can while trying to call 9-1-1. This is a tough choice to make. Suffice it to say that it might be best to be pummeled by this much smaller person while you try to get away and call 9-1-1 than to have to defend yourself against charges of being the aggressor if you injure/kill him. In other words, in this (reverse) disparity of force incident it might be problematic to convince a jury that you believed he was about to subject you to great bodily harm or death.
b) Wrong. There is no need to draw your handgun. This is a disparity of force incident where the attacker is significantly smaller than you.
c) Wrong. Loud verbal exchanges might escalate the incident and might make you appear to be the aggressor.
d) Wrong. This is a disparity of force incident where the attacker is significantly smaller than you and using a firearm might lead to criminal charges against you. Return

15a)  Wrong. Pointing firearms in most jurisdictions is a criminal offense. See b) below.
b) Wrong. Lethal force to prevent destruction or protect property is not self-defense) The fire from you discharged gun could ignite the gasoline.
c) Correct. Property can be replaced – that’s what insurance is for; unless property, be it a home, automobile or business is occupied, it can’t be defended with lethal force.
d) Wrong. Even if you are sure, you can physically overpower this criminal, it could escalate whereas you might be deemed the aggressor, or worse, burned if a spark ignites the gasoline. Return

16a)  Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below. Of course, you must be sure the threat is unable to continue the attack either by the removal of his/her weapon or is physically incapable.
b) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below. Lest you be mistaken as the bad guy by responding LEOs, your firearm should be secured.
c) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below. An immediate call to 9-1-1, establishes you as cooperative. It is imperative to state that you were defending your life.
d) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below. You will need legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
e) Correct. All the above and in that orde. Return

17a)  Wrong. This might make you appear as an accomplice requiring legal complications.
b) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below.
c) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below.
d) Wrong. Not the best answer. See e) below.
If you’re only a witness, legal advice shouldn’t be necessary.
e) Correct. Both b) and c) – in reverse order. Return

18a)  Wrong. Unless the state had appointed you executioner, it’s murder.
b) Wrong. You’re not a LEO. Allowing him to move makes him a difficult target should he produce another firearm.
c) Correct. Stay hidden until arrival of LE) If he spots you and comes after you, you’re in a better position to defend yourself both physically and legally.
d) Wrong. Suppose he awakens before you can access his revolver? Return

19a)  Wrong. Nothing good can come of being present at his home.
b) Correct. This is a police matter and withholding information is a criminal offense.
c) Wrong. As tempting as exercising an “eye for and eye” is, it will not return your granddaughter to her previous state, and you will be facing murder charges.
d) Wrong. This is most difficult inasmuch as your granddaughter will have to relive the attack for police reports and possibly courtroom trials. Not tendering information to LE, might allow the perp to victimize others. Return

20a)  Wrong. There is nothing in the Constitution referencing this right.
b) Wrong. Some states have enacted such laws.
c) Correct. Some states – but not all states – have enacted such a law that removes the obligation to flee when confronted with a lethal threat.
d) Wrong. There is no federal Stand Your Ground law. Return

0-2 Missed: Well-Educated Patriot. I’d trust my backside to you
3-6 Missed: We can stand together, but keep reading The Blue Press
7-11 Missed: Some serious study is needed) I might keep an eye on you

About the Author: Chuck Klein is a former: police officer, Tactical Defense Institute Level 6 firearms instructor and Licensed Private Investigator (retired). He is currently: an active member of International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and the author of INSTINCT COMBAT SHOOTING, Defensive Handgunning for Police; LINES OF DEFENSE, Police Ideology and the Constitution. His education includes Bachelor of Laws. Information about his writings and e-mail contact is available on his website: chuckklein.com