Welcome to Aftermath, a portion of our First Line email newsletter where Attorney Anthony L. DeWitt walks you through a real-life self-defense incident and shares his key takeaways.
Following an argument between a Florida man and his girlfriend, the woman called her brother, asking him to come over to defuse the situation. When the brother arrived, however, the man was waiting outside with a wooden rod and brass knuckles. The woman’s son, a minor, retrieved a pistol and took aim at the man beating his uncle. The aggressor continued to beat the uncle despite the minor’s warning to stop. The boy fired multiple shots, striking the aggressor, who was declared dead at the scene.
Have you taken steps to educate younger family members about gun safety and legal responsibilities? In situations where an aggressor does not cease an attack despite warnings, what training would be useful to bystanders to assess threat levels and appropriately respond?
Only thing I told my kids was, if they’re to be involved in legal self-defense, do not second-guess in the moment.
In sports, you miss the shots you don’t take.
All of my kids have been in fights in school. My daughter included. Some were fighting for themselves, some fighting for others.
None of my kids started the fights.
All of my kids ended the fights.
All of my kids were suspended by the schools for fighting, some sent to anger management classes, various other BS hoops to jump through.
When every one of my kids were suspended, I took vacation. We stayed home and played video games, went out to movies, went out for burgers and ice-cream.
I praised my kids for their actions.
I taught my kids to not ever start a physical confrontation. I taught my kids to defend those weaker than them. I taught my kids if they did get into a fight that they should fight like the third monkey trying to get on the Arc and it’s about to rain. I taught all my kids to shoot, even my liberal daughter. I taught all my kids to be Sheep Dogs, not sheep.
Had ONE of my children been involved in the above situation, the outcome would have been similar. Had two or more been involved, the boyfriend’s body would have never been found.
My kids, all grown now, have a very good idea about what to do in case someone attacks someone in their presence. Like @BruceE my boys have been taught to fight, when to fight and how to fight. Sadly many dads don’t see it that way and raise passive children.
I am with @BruceE and @Mike164 on this one.. every one of my kids know what to do and have shot since they were kids … Holidays are bring your weapons.. Lets have fun after dinner since they were kids…
While I still lived in California I was very active with the youth program at the United Sportsman’s sport shooting complex in Concord. I helped out with that program until I escaped California in 2019. My son went through that program. I stuck with it even when my son aged out and left for college. Several hundred young people went through that program while I was there. The club uses the NRA Civilian Marksmanship program as the basis of that program. The kids as young as eight are started at the bench rest rifle and can move through the various disciplines as their interests develop. These are the kind of programs that work. I have not found one like it hare in northern Nevada, but I am still looking.
There was a similar case in Chicago. The mother was fighting or being beaten by a man in a restaurant. Her son ran to the car, got a gun and shot the man. The questionable action was when the man ran out of the restaurant the young man follow - continuing to fire at the man. He died at the scene. Neither the young man or his mother were charged.
Much like my Credit card I never leave home without it! There are no grand children in my house or sons and daughters, it is just me and my wife who is a member of uscca and a highly trained self defense like me !
I’ve am a certified chief range officer and instructor and a Veteran 1968-1973.
My sons grew up in a quiet rural area which is now changing with developments encroaching and they were trained in self defense not only by myself, but with others with well rounded experience.
We all would take time to practice and clean every piece of equipment before and after usage.
Range time was always an enjoyable time to ask and get correct answers.
Fortunately, they are constantly being aware of surroundings and areas too avoid if possible.
As grown men now, they have responsibility of family and coworkers in the industrial fields.
Home and wilderness adventures are always prepared for in any circumstance that fortunately hasn’t been compromised.
As for their youth years they had the confidence to mature more than others their age and never mention about firearms around anyone, Which made trust an important factor. But they were capable of handling many situations or avoidance.