The Psychological Effects of Using a Firearm for Self-Defense
For many of us, we carry a gun daily to protect not only our own lives but, if necessary, the lives of those around us. The topics that seem to hide in the shadows and are rarely discussed are the psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense.
Sure, you may tell yourself that you’re prepared. You may tell yourself that you’ve been training for years, done force-on-force training, and crossed all your T’s and dotted all your I’s, but you’re entering a new realm that you’ve never tapped into before when the moment arises, and you need to engage a threat with your firearm — your life changes.
Related Article: A New Firearm Buyer’s Guide to Choosing an EDC Pistol
In this article, I want to talk not only about the psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense but also about what happens to the body from a physiological standpoint when a threat engages with you, the financial burden that you may place on yourself, as well as what charges could be brought upon you for simply defending your life or someone else’s.
Just as a sidenote… If you’re looking to take firearms classes, whether they are online firearms classes or in person. You need to put an effort into improving your skills. If you have the opportunity, get in the Tremis Dynamics FISH class with lead instructor Garry Marr. I have a review of the class after I took it that you can read here.
Table of contents
- What Physiological Changes Take Place When Perceiving a Threat?
- The Psychological Effects of Using a Firearm for Self-Defense
- Don’t Forget About the Financial Burden of Using a Firearm for Self-Defense
- Do You Have Self-Defense Insurance?
- What Can You Be Charged with When Using a Firearm for Self-Defense?
What Physiological Changes Take Place When Perceiving a Threat?
When an individual is engaging a threat, decides to take action, draws their firearm, is aware of their target and backdrop, aligns the sights, and makes the administrative decision to squeeze the trigger to the rear and send a round down range, their body goes through a number of physiological changes. These changes are often referred to as the “fight or flight” response, which is the body’s natural response to a perceived threat.
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What exactly takes place? Let’s dive a little deeper into the changes in your body and the physiological effects of using a firearm for self-defense.
1. Increased heart rate
The body’s first response to a perceived threat is to increase heart rate in order to pump more blood to the muscles. This is known as the sympathetic nervous system response.
2. Dilated pupils
The pupils will also dilate, allowing more light into the eyes, which can improve vision and help the individual assess the situation.
3. Increased breathing
The body will also increase its breathing rate to bring more oxygen to the muscles, preparing the body for physical activity.
4. Increased adrenaline
The body will also release (more like dump a ton of) adrenaline, a hormone that increases the body’s strength, reaction time, and awareness, preparing the body for physical activity.
5. Increased muscle tension
The body will also increase muscle tension in order to be ready for action and to protect against injury.
6. Decreased ability to process complex information
The body may also experience a decrease in cognitive ability, such as the ability to process complex information, during this response, as the brain is focused on survival mechanisms.
7. Increased stress hormones
The body will also release stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and can cause changes in mood and behavior.
It’s important to note that the body’s response to a perceived threat can vary greatly between individuals and can be influenced by factors such as past experiences and mental health status.
Additionally, the body’s response to using a firearm for self-defense can have long-term effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, which is something we need to touch on next.
The Psychological Effects of Using a Firearm for Self-Defense
Using a firearm for self-defense can have significant psychological effects on an individual. Let’s look at some of the psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense that you may experience after the fact.
PTSD
One of the most common psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as a shooting. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of anxiety and depression.
Guilt and Remorse
Another psychological effect of using a firearm for self-defense is guilt and remorse. Individuals who have used a firearm to defend themselves may feel guilty for taking another person’s life, even if it was done in self-defense. They may also experience feelings of remorse for not being able to prevent the situation from escalating to the point where deadly force was necessary.
Loneliness
After such an event, the only person you’re should be talking to about what happened is your attorney as they are the only party that is legally obligated to keep what you say confidential. This could make you feel isolated from everyone as if you’re keeping a secret from the world until a verdict in the case is rendered and you can speak to people about what happened without potentially incriminating yourself.
Fear and Anxiety
Additionally, using a firearm for self-defense can also lead to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety. This can manifest in the form of increased vigilance and hypervigilance, as well as a fear of being in similar situations in the future.
It’s important to note that these psychological effects can vary significantly between individuals, and many people who use a firearm for self-defense do not experience any significant psychological distress. However, it is important to be aware of the potential psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense and what steps you may need to take afterward.
If you or someone you know is experiencing psychological distress as a result of using a firearm for self-defense, it is vital to seek professional help from a mental health professional. They can provide the necessary support and resources to help the individual cope with their feelings and move forward in a healthy way.
Don’t Forget About the Financial Burden of Using a Firearm for Self-Defense
Taking things a step further than just the psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense is the unfortunate financial burden that may accompany it. You may think that the fight is over once you put your firearm on safe or put it back in your holster, but your fight may not be over from a legal standpoint.
Using a firearm for self-defense can come with a significant financial burden and can even cause people to lose everything in the process of defending themselves (even when you use a firearm for home defense).
Some of the costs associated with using a firearm for self-defense include the following:
1. Legal fees
If an individual uses a firearm for self-defense and is involved in a legal case, the cost of legal representation can be substantial. This can include attorney fees, court costs, and any fines or penalties that may be imposed.
2. Medical expenses
If an individual is injured during a self-defense incident, medical expenses can be significant. This includes the cost of emergency medical treatment, as well as any follow-up care that may be required.
3. Property damage
If an individual uses a firearm for self-defense, there is a risk of property damage. This can include damage to the individual’s own property, as well as damage to the property of others.
4. Loss of income
If an individual is involved in a self-defense incident, they may need to take time off work to recover or to participate in legal proceedings. This can result in lost income and can be financially devastating.
5. Insurance costs
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may not cover the costs of a self-defense incident, and if they do, it might come with a higher premium.
It’s important to note that the financial burden of using a firearm for self-defense can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of the incident. However, it is important to be aware of the potential financial burden and to have a plan in place to mitigate it. This can include having enough insurance coverage to cover legal and medical expenses, as well as having a savings or emergency fund to cover other costs.
Do You Have Self-Defense Insurance?
If you carry a firearm, I highly recommend you have some type of self-defense insurance. There are many different companies out there, such as CCW Safe, USCCA, US Law Shield, Right to Bear, and many more that you can find via a simple Google search.
Related Article: CCW Insurance — Prepare for the Fight After the Fight
Personally, I use CCW Safe and have for many years.
No, I don’t have a financial relationship with them or affiliate code, they are merely the carry protection and peace of mind insurance I purchased for if I’m ever in the scenario where I need to deploy my firearm to save my life or the life of the innocent. Immediately following a self-defense scenario where I need to shoot a threat, I know CCW Safe will be my first call after speaking with 911.
If you decide to sign up with any of the insurance companies mentioned, please do me a favor and tell them you heard about them through Weik Fitness/Matt Weik. Perhaps it will allow me to do something with them in the future.
What Can You Be Charged with When Using a Firearm for Self-Defense?
Looking deeper and past the psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense as well as the financial implications comes actual legal and criminal actions taken against you. When using a firearm for self-defense, an individual can be charged with a variety of criminal offenses depending on the specific circumstances of the incident.
If you were looking for even more information, check out this book on “The Law of Self Defense.”
Some of the most common charges that can be brought against someone who uses a firearm for self-defense include (note: I am not an attorney, nor am I giving legal advice):
Assault
If an individual uses a firearm to threaten or cause fear of imminent harm to another person, they can be charged with assault.
Battery
If an individual uses a firearm to physically harm another person, they can be charged with battery.
Manslaughter
If an individual uses a firearm to cause the death of another person, but it is not considered murder, they can be charged with manslaughter.
Murder
If an individual uses a firearm to intentionally cause the death of another person, they can be charged with murder.
Negligent Homicide
If an individual uses a firearm in a negligent manner and causes the death of another person, they can be charged with negligent homicide.
Possession of a Firearm
If an individual is not legally allowed to possess a firearm, they can be charged with illegally possessing a firearm.
It’s important to note that the specific charges that an individual may face when using a firearm for self-defense will depend on the laws in their jurisdiction and the specific facts of the incident.
Additionally, in some states, there are laws that provide immunity or protection from prosecution for individuals who use firearms in self-defense (for example, a “Stand Your Ground” or “Castle Doctrine”). Therefore, it’s important to be aware of your state’s laws and understand how they may apply in self-defense situations.
Related Article: Should You Carry OC Spray as a Self-Defense Tool?
And as always, go out and get the proper training needed to be proficient with your firearm(s) and EDC gear. I am not an instructor or tactical ninja, and I don’t pretend to be one on the weekends. I’m simply someone who seeks knowledge, improvement, and proficiency when it comes to self-defense and the ability to protect my family and those around me. You are your own first line of defense, seek the training of a certified and experienced instructor. I hope you found this article helpful and informative.
FAQ
There are a lot of psychological effects of using a firearm for self-defense. Some of these effects include: PTSD, anxiety, lonliness, fear, guilt, and remorse.
Using a firearm for self-defense comes with a financial cost. The financial burden comes from things, such as legal fees, medical costs, property damage, loss of income, and insurance costs.
Absolutely. You should look at getting self-defense insurance from one of the companies out there who can product you. Some of these brands are CCW Safe, USCCA, US Law Shield, and Right to Bear.
The short answer is yes. You could potentially be charged with assault, battery, manslaughter, murder, negligent homicide, possession of a firearm, and more.
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