Conflict Avoidance During Civil Unrest

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What is your responsibility to avoid conflict or de-escalate existing conflict, especially in times of civil unrest or civil anxiety? Rob Pincus addresses this topic with his usual clear-thinking approach. Especially in the United States but also worldwide, we have had a lot of turmoil this year. This has included civil unrest over social issues and frustration related to the coronavirus and the restrictions put in place due to it. These have been stressors on the ideas of conflict avoidance and de-escalation.
CONFLICT AVOIDANCE: A FUNDAMENTAL OF SELF-DEFENSE
Within the self-defense community, conflict avoidance and de-escalation are among the most important self-defense concepts. Whenever possible, you should avoid conflict and de-escalate existing conflict. This is important even if you don’t carry a firearm - for example, we teach these concepts to our children.
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But when you carry a firearm, your responsibility to avoid conflict rises to another level, because any time you get into a conflict, there is at least one lethal tool in the mix. Someone can die if things escalate too far or if another person tries to take your gun.
CAUSES OF CONFLICT
Whether someone (including you) is wearing a mask or not, or is maintaining social distance, or has different political beliefs - these are not things that should cause lethal conflict. These disagreements should not result in anyone drawing a gun and threatening lethal force.
If you have strong feelings about an issue and feel the need to jump into an existing argument, this is the opposite of conflict avoidance, and you are potentially becoming part of the problem. Rob suggests avoiding these situations entirely, especially if you are a concealed carry holder.
On the other hand, if you want to protest and make your opinions known, you are free to do so. But attending an event where you are fairly certain there is going to be conflict, Rob suggests thinking twice about carrying a gun to such an event, or not going at all if there is a likelihood of rioting or other violence.

[@scottward7813]

Great comments Rob...as dad always said, "people who look for trouble usually find it!"

[@PersonalDefenseNet]

Thanks for watching!

[@carloc352]

Absolutely sensible principles. They should be sort of obvious, but we came to a point that we have to remind ourselves of these, too. Thank you!

[@PersonalDefenseNet]

So glad this was useful!

[@tangoyankee7521]

great advice.

[@donbrunodelamancha1927]

Very, very well said! Especially at this particular time in our country’s history, where opinions are often informed, one way, or the other, on on factual information. Is this free time that we need to diminish AND Deescalate contentious issues at all costs!

[@Excalibur01]

I live in the suburbs, so I am away from downtowns and major areas where a riot will gather. That being said, I am prepare if it ever comes knocking

[@Reflection4040]

❤