Carrying a firearm is both a right and a tremendous responsibility. The decisions you make while armed will be judged not only in the moment, but also later in a courtroom, where your actions will be dissected by police, prosecutors, and a jury of your peers. Too many otherwise law-abiding citizens have thrown their lives away by mixing firearms with poor decisions.
Here are three things you are never allowed to do while carrying a firearm, along with real-world case studies that show why.
Rule #1: Never Carry Angry
Anger and firearms do not mix. When emotions take over, judgment shuts down, and bad decisions follow. If you let your temper get the best of you, you are more likely to escalate meaningless confrontations into life-altering tragedies.
Think about it: someone cuts you off in traffic, mouths off in line, or insults you at a bar. None of those incidents justify letting anger drive your actions while carrying. A prosecutor will have no trouble convincing a jury that you acted recklessly if witnesses say you “looked mad” while armed.
Case Study: Gavin Dasaur (Indianapolis, 2024)
In July 2024, newlywed Gavin Dasaur was killed during a road rage confrontation in Indianapolis. Investigators concluded the shooter acted justifiably, but Dasaur’s anger cost him his life only two weeks after getting married. The incident could have been avoided had he taken a deep breath and moved on instead of letting rage dictate his actions.
Read the story here | Warning: graphic video
As Marty Hayes of CCW Safe has noted in his work as an expert witness, many tragedies come down to people overreacting in anger and pulling a firearm too soon. Once a shot is fired, you can never take it back.
Rule #2: Never Let Ego Take Over
Ego kills. Too often, people carrying a firearm let pride and bravado guide their actions. Whether at a party, a bar, a pickup basketball game, or even on the job, tempers flare when people feel “disrespected.” The thought of backing down bruises their ego, and suddenly they are looking for a fight instead of walking away.
When you’re armed, you cannot afford to play the “tough guy.” A firearm is not a tool to protect your ego—it’s a last resort to protect innocent life.
Case Study: Logan Kimball & Freddy Nelson (Oregon, 2021)
Private security guard Logan Kimball confronted Freddy Nelson in a Lowe’s parking lot over petty trespassing. Kimball’s demeanor escalated quickly; his ego visibly took control the moment he stepped out of his patrol car. Less than three minutes later, Nelson was dead. Kimball was convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. One man lost his life, and another lost his freedom—all over ego.
Marty Hayes has testified in numerous cases where ego was the hidden driver. People pulled guns prematurely or fired more rounds than justified because they felt challenged. Those split-second ego decisions often turn winnable cases into guilty verdicts.
Rule #3: Never Be Under the Influence
The worst combination in the world is anger, ego, alcohol, and firearms. Add alcohol (or drugs) to the mix, and nothing good can happen. People make reckless choices when intoxicated, and carrying a firearm while impaired is one of the fastest ways to end up in prison.
Case Study: Greeley Bar Shooting (2022)
In Greeley, Colorado, a man retrieved a rifle from his vehicle and opened fire after feeling “disrespected” outside a bar. Two people were killed, and he was sentenced in 2025 to over 1,000 years in prison. His decision, fueled by alcohol and anger, destroyed countless lives.
Read the full case here
Hayes has testified repeatedly that alcohol is one of the most common threads in firearms self-defense trials. Even when a shooting might be legally justified, juries are quick to convict when the defender was drunk.
Final Thoughts
Carrying a firearm means accepting the highest standard of self-control.
- Don’t carry angry — your temper will betray you.
- Don’t let ego rule — pride will land you in prison.
- Don’t carry under the influence — alcohol and firearms never mix.
If you have a problem with one, two, or all three of these, I highly recommend you don’t carry a firearm. You will end up in two places: jail or dead.
As a firearms instructor, I remind my students constantly: every decision you make while carrying will be judged later. Juries don’t see “a quick temper,” “just having fun,” or “a couple drinks.” They see recklessness. They see irresponsibility. They see someone who shouldn’t have been trusted with a gun.
If you want to be taken seriously as a responsible gun owner, a concealed carrier, or a security professional, then follow these rules without exception. They may save your freedom—and your life.
Take the Next Step
If you found this article valuable, here are more resources to help you become a responsible and skilled firearms owner:
- 🔒 Protect Yourself with Self-Defense Insurance
Compare leading policies and find the right coverage for CCW holders and armed professionals. Read our guide to self-defense insurance - 🛒 Shop Firearms Training Gear
From holsters to armor, explore our recommended equipment. Visit our shop page - 🎯 Practice Makes Perfect: Shooting Drills
Master accuracy, speed, and stress-response with our proven shooting drills. Check out our shooting drills collection - 📚 Learn More from Our Previous Articles
- 📝 Sign Up for a Concealed Carry Class
Get certified, gain confidence, and train with professionals. Register for a CCW class today
