Have you ever thought about being involved in a shooting? Do you carry a firearm? If you own a gun, you might find yourself in a situation that compels you to shoot someone. It can happen to anyone, at any time. A shooting is a grim reality that few people contemplate beyond their weapons training. No one wants to be involved in a shooting, but preparation is essential.

Many people take the initiative to develop their self-defense skills. They may choose to train in martial arts or other hand-to-hand combat styles. Some purchase handguns with the intention of “leveling the playing field.” Others combine both approaches for a comprehensive sense of personal safety. My point is that you invest time and money in preparing for the event you pray will never occur. But are you considering what you need to do after a shooting?

Think About This

I am confident you have thought long and hard about what would drive you to draw and fire your handgun. Often, less thought is given to what you will do afterward. Think about it! You bought a gun for personal protection. You faced a life-or-death decision and used your weapon successfully. Now, what comes next? Have you considered the strong possibility that you will face criminal charges as a result of the shooting? What have you done to prepare for that possibility?

 Most law-abiding citizens involved in a shooting believe they are protecting their own lives. They are confident that they haven’t done anything wrong and have nothing to hide. This belief leads them to cooperate with everyone, from the 911 operator and the first responding officers to the detectives responsible for the follow-up investigation. Because they feel they did the right thing, they strive to answer every question to the best of their ability, regardless of how many times it has been asked.

The Initial Interview

During their interview, they realize they’re unsure about some of the answers to the investigator’s questions. Consequently, they start to think, “Why can’t I remember?” More importantly, they may begin thinking, “I have seen police shows on television. I know that when someone says, ‘I’m not sure,’ they are stalling to come up with something.” So, the individual pressures themselves to find the answers to the questions. As a result, they unknowingly compel their minds to fill in the gaps.

What stands out most is that they do not understand what is happening. Let’s pause here and discuss what the individual is experiencing. After a high-stress traumatic event, such as a shooting, you will undergo psychological and physiological responses that are beyond your control. These responses may affect your memory and physical well-being.

The Impacts of Stress

It is not uncommon for people to experience various post-event issues. A few examples of what may occur include critical stress amnesia, perceptual distortions, or even passing out.

The point is, your body and mind were just traumatized. You need time to “pull yourself together.” Now is not the time to be answering questions. It may take several days to remember what happened and some people may never remember everything.

Just as you were trained to accept the possible outcomes of this life-or-death situation, you must now acknowledge that you need help. Assistance may be needed in physical, mental, emotional, and even legal aspects.

In the rest of this series, I want to focus on your immediate needs after the shooting. Let me be clear, the goal is to cooperate with the investigation of the shooting, while ensuring you are protecting yourself. Therefore, I will break this down into smaller steps for you to consider and incorporate into your mental preparation training.