Estimated read: 6 minutes After four decades of training thousands of students, I've noticed something: people tend to think about self-defense weapons the way they think about hammers. One tool, one job, end of story. But the truth is more nuanced — and getting it wrong can cost you legally, financially, and morally, even when your initial instinct was sound. A self-defense weapon is a tool. Like any tool, it's designed to solve a specific problem under specific conditions.

Treat ALL GUNS as if they are ALWAYS loaded. There is no such thing as an "unloaded gun". NEVER point the barrel at anything you don't want destroyed (muzzle discipline). KEEP your finger outside of the trigger until ready to shoot. ALWAYS know your target and what's BEYOND it.