Lesson 36: Avoid the fight.

The best way to stay safe and avoid legal jeopardy is to avoid the violent confrontation in the first place. Most self-defense shootings could have been prevendted if the defender made just one or two better decisions before things escalated. If you can safely disengage, de-escalate, or avoid the encounter altogether, that’s almost always the best choice. You’ll save a life, you’ll save yourself from potential prosecution, and you’ll avoid the psychological turmoil that accompanies even a justifiable shooting. The most important self-defense skill isn’t shooting—it’s knowing how to safely walk away without firing a shot.