As a firearms instructor, it is amazing to me how many people who want to carry a firearm concealed have a totally unrealistic understanding of armed self-defense. There’s a whole lot more to it than just buying a pistol, a holster, and some ammo. Before you do any of that, you need to get trained, and study. The study part comes in the form of books like this one from Massad Ayoob. Ayoob is a nationally known expert on armed self-defense. Deadly Force is an update and addition to his previous book, In The Gravest Extreme (another essential read). However, Deadly Force is a stand alone book that provides detailed information about the legal realities of the use of a firearm in self-defense by civilians. It covers what kinds of situations warrant use of force, how use of force is justified, and the law enforcement and legal process that ensues after a shooting incident. Knowing this beforehand is absolutely essential for someone who wants to concealed carry. Of equal value is having a realistic understanding of the time and costs involved in the legal process after a shooting. These things are all covered in the book, along with discussions of how the firearm and ammunition you carry can effect your legal defense, and detailed case studies of actual incidents where deadly force was used in self-defense.
Despite the complex subject matter, Ayoob writes in a clear, readable style. Though it’s 237 pages, the book doesn’t take long to read. The other nice thing is, it points out other books to go to for further study. To really be prepared in case you are involved in a deadly force incident and it’s aftermath, this book is an excellent place to start. I highly recommend it to anyone seriously considering carrying a firearm for self-defense.
Tactical & Target 