Category: Concealed Carry

Learn everything you need to know about concealed carry—from legal requirements and training tips to real-world self-defense case studies. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a seasoned CCW holder, this category covers practical guidance, safety advice, and Colorado-specific laws to help you carry with confidence.

Concealed Carry, Guide, Legal & Law, News, Self Defense Insurance

The Gavin Dasaur Shooting: Self-Defense, Ego, and the Cost of Bad Decisions

Mark Schneider

⚖️ Overview

On the evening of July 16, 2024, a 7-second bystander video captured the fatal end of a road-rage confrontation at South Emerson Ave & East Thompson Rd, Indianapolis. Gavin Dasaur (29) is seen armed as he advances to a pickup’s driver-side window; the driver fires from inside the cab, killing him. Police detained, questioned, and released the shooter, noting possible self-defense. As of today, there are no credible reports of criminal charges filed against the shooter.

What Happened: The Short Video, The Big Consequences

  • Time/Place: ~8:15 p.m., July 16, 2024; E. Thompson Rd & S. Emerson Ave.
  • Video Snapshot: Dasaur exits his black Honda, openly carrying a handgun, approaches the pickup, strikes the door and yells. The driver shoots from inside the truck.
  • On Scene: Officers locate Dasaur in the roadway; a gun lies near him. The driver is detained, questioned, then released while investigation continues.
  • Here is a link to the video. (Warning! Graphic Content!)

‍⚖️ Why “No Charges” (So Far) Doesn’t End the Story

Indiana’s self-defense law (stand-your-ground / no duty to retreat) allows deadly force when a person reasonably believes it’s necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death. The video showing an armed approach to an occupied vehicle can support a reasonable-fear analysis, which helps explain why prosecutors haven’t charged the shooter to date.

But:

  • Charges can still be filed later if new evidence emerges. Homicide-related offenses typically aren’t time-barred in many states; prosecutors can revisit if facts change.
  • Civil court is separate: the family could bring a wrongful-death claim even if criminal charges never appear. (Different standard of proof.)

This mirrors other high-profile cases where no criminal charges were filed, but civil action still followed.

🚫 Ego, Anger, Alcohol — The Triple Threat I Warn About

I’ve said it in class and in past articles: never let your alcohol, anger, or ego drive your decisions when you’re carrying a firearm. In this incident, ego and anger turned a traffic spat into a lethal encounter—and Gavin paid with his life.

  • Ego pushes people to “win” the argument. Stepping out armed and closing distance on an occupied vehicle flips you from “defender” to perceived aggressor.
  • Anger narrows thinking. Under adrenaline, you don’t negotiate—you react.
  • Alcohol (even “just one”) erodes judgment and inhibition. If you’re not stone-cold sober, don’t carry.

🧠 Human Factors: Why It Spiraled So Fast

Under acute stress, fine-motor skills degrade, tunnel vision kicks in, and time perception distorts. You don’t “rise to the occasion”—you fall to your level of training. An armed approach on a seated driver inside a vehicle is easily read as imminent threat; the driver’s defensive shooting aligns with what many attorneys called a plausible self-defense claim in early coverage.

✅ Civil vs. Criminal: Two Different Games

Type of CaseWho Brings ItBurden of ProofPossible Outcomes
CriminalState/ProsecutorBeyond a reasonable doubtPrison, fines
Civil (Wrongful Death)Family/EstatePreponderance of evidence (51%)Money judgment, settlement

Key point: A person can be criminally justified and still lose civilly. That’s why self-defense insurance isn’t optional—it’s financial survival.

🛡️ Self-Defense Insurance: Protect Your Freedom and Your Future

Even a clean self-defense shoot can cost six to seven figures in combined criminal and civil defense, expert witnesses, lost wages, and potential judgments. The right plan can cover:

  • Attorney fees (criminal & civil)
  • Bail/bond assistance
  • Experts & investigators
  • Civil damages/settlements (policy-dependent)

If you carry a gun, you carry liability—legal and financial. Insure both.

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📋 If You’re Ever Involved in a Defensive Shooting

  1. Call 911: “I was attacked—please send police and medical.”
  2. Make safe/holster before officers arrive.
  3. Say little: “I was in danger for my life. This person attacked me, threatened me with a gun, etc.”
  4. Point out evidence.
  5. Point out witnesses.
  6. Verbally Invoke your 5th amendment right. (DON’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE!)
  7. Call your self-defense insurer.
  8. Call your attorney.
  9. Stay offline—no posts, no comments.

🧭 Lessons for CCW Holders & Security Guards

  • Disengage first. Survival beats “winning.”
  • Never approach an occupied vehicle. Distance = time = options.
  • Control your emotions. No ego, no anger, no alcohol—ever.
  • Train for stress. You won’t out-think adrenaline without reps.
  • Carry insurance. Legal reality is expensive.

Sources & Reporting

  • IndyStar (legal framing; 7-second video; time/location). IndyStar
  • WRTV (ABC Indy) (ID, on-scene details, gun near victim, detained & released). WRTV Indianapolis
  • WTHR 13 (video reports; location; shooter released). WTHR+1

Sign Up For A Colorado Concealed Carry Class or Compare Self Defense Insurance

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Details are based on public reports available as of October 2025. Laws and facts may change.
Always consult a qualified attorney regarding self-defense or firearms laws in your state.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law, News

Why CCW Holders and Security Guards Must Always Be in a Position of De-Escalation

Mark Schneider

When you carry a firearm—whether as a CCW holder or as an armed security guard—you’re not just carrying a tool of defense. You’re also carrying a heavy responsibility. The first thing any District Attorney or investigator will ask after a use-of-force incident is simple:

  • Who was the innocent party?
  • Who was the aggressor?
  • Who provoked the situation?

That word provocation is critical. Under the law, if you are seen as the one who “got the ball rolling” in a confrontation, your claim of self-defense can collapse. That’s why your mindset must always be one of de-escalation.

This doesn’t mean you back down from danger or fail to defend yourself if truly necessary. It means you discipline yourself so that anyone reviewing your actions—witnesses, supervisors, investigators, or a jury—sees clearly that you did everything possible to avoid violence.

What Does “Provocation” Mean in Self-Defense Law?

In plain terms, provocation means doing something that causes or escalates a conflict. If you provoke a fight, you lose your legal standing to later claim self-defense unless you clearly attempt to withdraw.

Provocation can include:

  • Words: Insults, taunts, or verbal threats.
  • Actions: Aggressive movements, brandishing a firearm, or invading personal space.
  • Behavior: Following someone, blocking their path, or refusing to disengage.

If the DA sees evidence that you pushed the confrontation forward, even a justified defensive act can look like assault or manslaughter.

Connecting to the Rules Every CCW Holder Must Follow

I’ve written before about the three things you are never allowed to do when carrying a firearm (you can read that article here). Those rules tie directly into this concept of provocation. If you break those rules, you’re already stepping into the role of aggressor.

Real-World Examples of Provocation vs. De-Escalation

  • Road Rage (CCW Holder):
    • Provocation: A driver cuts you off. You pull up beside them, shouting threats. They get out, and you draw your firearm. On review, you provoked the encounter.
    • De-Escalation: You slow down, change lanes, and exit. No fight, no police report.
  • Bar Argument (CCW Holder):
    • Provocation: Someone spills your drink. You shove them back and say, “Do that again and you’ll regret it.” They swing, you fire. The DA sees you as the aggressor.
    • De-Escalation: You step back, say, “No problem,” and leave. End of story.
  • Shoplifter (Security Guard):
    • Provocation: The suspect mouths off. The guard steps chest-to-chest, saying, “You’re not going anywhere.” A fight breaks out. On video, it looks like the guard escalated.
    • De-Escalation: The guard maintains distance, uses Verbal Judo: “Sir, please wait while we get the manager. You have options here.” Now compliance is easier.
  • Trespassing Loiterer (Security Guard):
    • Provocation: The guard says, “Leave now or I’ll drag you out.” The loiterer resists, and things go hands-on.
    • De-Escalation: The guard says, “You can leave on your own, or store management will trespass you and police will be called. Your choice.” Now the loiterer has an exit.

The Two Systems of De-Escalation

I teach two different frameworks that fit these roles perfectly:

  • The 6 D’s for CCW holders
  • The Five Truths of Verbal Judo for security guards

The 6 D’s for CCW Holders

As an armed citizen, your priorities are awareness, avoidance, and last-resort defense. The 6 D’s keep you legally and tactically squared away:

  1. Detect — Spot trouble before it starts. Keep your head up, read body language, and know your exits.
  2. Disengage — Remove yourself. Step back, create space, and leave if possible.
  3. Deter — Use strong verbal commands, presence, and positioning to discourage escalation. Phrases like “Stay back” or “I don’t want any trouble” communicate your intent to avoid conflict. Move toward witnesses or cameras if possible.
  4. Demonstrate (Defensive Display) — If deterrence fails and the threat continues, you may lawfully display your firearm (where legally permitted) as a last warning. This is not brandishing or intimidation — it is a controlled defensive display in response to a real, immediate threat.
  5. Defend — Only if there is no other option and you face imminent deadly force or serious injury. If you must fire, stop when the threat stops.
  6. Dial 911 — Call as soon as you’re safe. Clearly identify yourself as the victim, request police/EMS, and preserve evidence.

Example: You’re walking to your car at night when someone aggressively closes distance with a knife.

  • First, you deter by backing away and yelling, “Stop! Stay back!”
  • If they continue, you demonstrate by drawing to low ready: “Don’t come any closer!”
  • If the threat still advances, you may be forced to defend.
  • As soon as safe, you dial 911 and report the incident.

The Five Truths of Verbal Judo for Security Guards

Security professionals are held to a higher standard. You’re in uniform, representing your company or client. That means you must be the calmest person on scene—even when others aren’t.

The Five Truths of Verbal Judo keep your communication professional and tactical:

  1. Respect and Show Dignity — Even difficult people want basic respect. Give it, and you lower tension.
  2. Ask vs. Tell — Lead with polite requests, then move to commands if necessary.
  3. Give Options — Show the person their choices and consequences: “Leave now, or the police will be called.”
  4. Give Second Chances — Let emotions reset. A second chance can stop a fight before it starts.
  5. Explain the Why — Compliance goes up when people understand the reason for your request.

Why This Matters

For CCW holders, de-escalation means staying out of court. For security guards, it’s about professionalism, liability, and client trust. For both, it’s about survival—both physical and legal.

The reality is simple:

  • If you look like the aggressor, you’ll be treated like the aggressor.
  • If you look like the calm, reasonable professional who tried to disengage, you’ll be seen as the innocent party.

Your firearm is your last resort—not your first tool. De-escalation must always be your first move.

Final Thoughts

Carrying a firearm is about more than accuracy or tactics—it’s about judgment. When you practice the 6 D’s as a CCW holder and the Five Truths of Verbal Judo as a guard, you’re not just protecting yourself from physical harm. You’re also protecting your legal standing, your reputation, and your livelihood.

Always remember: “the best way to win a gunfight is not to get into one”

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Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

Three Things You Are Never Allowed to Do While Carrying a Firearm

Mark Schneider

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: