Don't be the aggressor

Yes, everyone should understand the right to justifiable self-defense (up to and including deadly force) can go out the window if you start the fight. In order to regain that right, I recommend raising your hands up in front of you and clearly and loudly declaring you don't want any trouble, apologizing if you need to, and backing away. If there is an altercation in public you can bet people are watching and possibly videoing the whole thing. You want everyone around to see/record you are withdrawing and are not threatening in any way. A simple rule of thumb when carrying a firearm is don't start any trouble. This is outlined in the CHP Red book pretty well. I would copy it here but I believe our state government, in its infinite wisdom, forbids copying the book and posting it online.
 
For when dealing with the public and law enforcement as well, My father always taught me:

Start nothing and have nothing to start.
Hide nothing and have nothing to hide.

Walking away from situations is free and while avoiding situations can be challenging or sometimes impossible, starting the problem or going along with it, aggressively, will typically be costly, if not deadly.
 
I remember this. That dude is an asshat and deserves to be locked up. Although the guy he shot was also an asshat.
 
The wisdom imparted on me was to have a code to communicate with your family and friends that you've identified something "bad' and it's time to toss cash on the table and beat feet. The suggestion was "we're leaving". It needs to be understood by the wife and kids that this is non-negotiable. We will obviously defend them if the worst case happens, but the better plan is just the get the heck away.
 
This is where Mas Ayoob did ground breaking work and ruffled a lot of feathers in his book "In the Gravest Extreme". In robbery scenarios, he advocated having throw away money, like a twenty that you could throw down and back away. Many perceived this as giving in to the criminal, but it was really setting up the legal precident to go to guns if the robber continues to pursue. You tried to deescalate the situation. Same with altercations. Fence position, loudly proclaim, "I don't want any trouble!"
Pride will get you in trouble.

ETA- You might say this was legal tactical.
 
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Great article, I like the part about the fact that the judge ultimately makes the decision if self-defense is even part of the legal arguments. Don’t plan to ever get that far, but always good to consider.

Is there anywhere to get a copy of the Red book to re-read it? It’s been a few years now. I’m not a hothead and feel like I have a pretty good understanding, but one of those things where a refresher never hurts.
 
When I took my CCW instructor at the Justice Academy, I remember the instructor really making an issue out of this in the course. I didn't know what case law prompted it, but he sure did emphasize this specific situation. Especially the "if the instigator breaks off the fight, and you re-engage..... you are in trouble".
 
Sneakymedic said:
When I took my CCW instructor at the Justice Academy, I remember the instructor really making an issue out of this in the course. I didn't know what case law prompted it, but he sure did emphasize this specific situation. Especially the "if the instigator breaks off the fight, and you re-engage..... you are in trouble".
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Yep. Same here. My instructor hammered this point home.
 
Now that you mention it, I remember my instructor mentioning that if you’re involved in a shooting and suggest you were informed your actions were okay they can come talk to instructors that signed your CCW. So it’s probably CYA.
 
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