What to Expect After Using Self-Defense to Protect Yourself or a Loved One
A Legal, Psychological, Moral, and Spiritual Examination
Self-Defense Is Not the End of the Fight
Using self-defense, especially violent self-defense is not a moment that ends when the threat stops. It is a moment that begins a chain of consequences that will affect you legally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially for months or even years.
At Goldbar Defense, we teach a hard but honest truth:
If you use self-defense, you will face three fights:
The initial fight – surviving the attack
The fight with the State – criminal investigation and possible prosecution
The civil fight – lawsuits from the attacker or their family
When a firearm is used and a life is taken, those three fights remain, but the intensity increases. You should expect arrest, detention, seizure of your firearm, and a prolonged legal process even if your actions were justified.
Self-defense is not about wanting violence. It is about being forced into it, and understanding what comes after is part of responsible preparation.
Fight One: The Initial Fight – Surviving the Threat
The Legal Standard in Montana
Montana law allows the use of force, and deadly force, under specific conditions.
Montana Code Annotated § 45-3-102 (Use of Force):
A person is justified in using force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves or another against the imminent use of unlawful force.
Montana Code Annotated § 45-3-103 (Use of Deadly Force):
Deadly force is justified only when the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent:
Imminent death
Serious bodily harm
Forcible sexual assault
Montana is a no-duty-to-retreat state if you are lawfully present and not engaged in criminal activity. However, “no duty to retreat” does not mean “no scrutiny afterward.”
The question will always be:
Was the threat imminent?
Was your belief reasonable?
Was your response proportional?
Fight Two: The State – What to Expect from Law Enforcement
Immediate Aftermath
When law enforcement arrives after a violent self-defense incident, you should expect to be treated as a suspect, not as a hero.
This is not personal it is procedural.
If a firearm was used and someone was shot:
You will likely be detained
You may be handcuffed
You will almost certainly be arrested
Your firearm will be seized as evidence
This does not mean you did anything wrong. It means the State must investigate a potential homicide or aggravated assault.
Firearm Handling When Police Are En Route
After the threat is stopped and it is safe to do so:
Holster the firearm only if it is safe
Or ensure the firearm is:
Completely unloaded
Chamber empty
Action locked open
Magazine removed
If possible, secure the firearm in your vehicle before police arrive
Never have a firearm in your hands when officers arrive.
What to Say to Police, and What Not to Say
You should speak to police, but you should not over-explain.
Trauma affects memory.
Traumatic Amnesia (Why You Should Be Careful)
Traumatic amnesia is a well-documented psychological phenomenon where the brain:
Narrows perception
Distorts time
Suppresses or fragments memory
This occurs because the brain is flooded with cortisol and adrenaline.
You may:
Misremember distances
Confuse sequences
Fill gaps unintentionally
It can take days for memory to consolidate accurately.
This is why over-explaining immediately can hurt you later.
Stick to Simple Facts:
“I was attacked.”
“I was in fear for my life.”
“I had to defend myself.”
“I will cooperate fully and provide a full statement after I have spoken with counsel.”
Do not speculate.
Do not narrate your thoughts.
Do not guess intent.
Facts protect you. Assumptions do not.
Rendering Aid: Moral and Legal Weight
If the attacker is wounded and it is safe to do so, render first aid.
This matters:
Morally
Spiritually
Legally
It demonstrates:
You were stopping a threat, not seeking revenge
You value human life, even the life of someone who attacked you
Exodus 23:4–5 teaches that even your enemy’s life matters.
Proverbs 24:11 commands the rescue of those being led to death.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33–34) shows that righteousness includes compassion, even toward those outside your circle.
Fight Three: Civil Court – The Lawsuit You Didn’t Expect
Even if the State declines to prosecute, civil lawsuits are still likely.
The attacker or their family may claim:
Excessive force
Negligence
Wrongful death
Emotional distress
Civil court has a lower burden of proof than criminal court.
You are no longer defending “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but rather against a claim that it is “more likely than not.”
This is why:
Legal training matters
Consistent carry habits matter
Documented training history matters
Everyday Carry: Why Consistency Matters in Court
One of the most damaging questions a prosecutor or civil attorney can ask is:
“Why did you choose to carry that day?”
If you only carry “sometimes,” they may argue:
You chose violence that day
You were looking for conflict
You felt empowered by the firearm
You escalated instead of avoiding
The best defense is consistency.
You carry:
Every lawful day
Not based on emotion
Not based on mood
Not because you expected trouble
This demonstrates responsibility, not intent.
Legal Carry Responsibilities in Montana
Carrying a firearm comes with strict legal obligations.
Firearms are prohibited in:
Schools
Federal buildings
Certain government facilities
Entering these places with a firearm is a felony.
Responsible carry means:
Using a vehicle gun safe
Securing your firearm legally when required
Never “just running inside for a minute”
Training, Accountability, and Stewardship
Carrying a firearm is not a right exercised lightly, it is a stewardship.
Biblical Framework
Hebrew – שָׁמַר (shamar)
“To guard, watch, protect, preserve”
This word is used for:
Shepherds
Watchmen
Covenant keepers
To carry a weapon is to accept the role of a watchman, not an aggressor.
Greek – σωφρονέω (sōphroneō)
“To be of sound mind, disciplined, self-controlled” (Romans 12:3)
Self-defense demands restraint, wisdom, and humility.
Practical Responsibility
At Goldbar Defense, we teach:
Safety training at least annually
Live-fire range training at least four times per year
Secure storage when not on your person
Family and household education
A firearm should never be a mystery in your home.
Prayer, Reflection, and the Weight of the Decision
Carrying a firearm is not just tactical it is spiritual.
Psalm 127:1 – “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
This is a decision to:
Protect life
Preserve innocence
Accept consequences if forced to act
It is something to pray about seriously, not casually.
Goldbar Defense: Preparing for All Three Fights
At Goldbar Defense, we do not just teach:
How to shoot
How to fight
We teach:
When to act
When not to act
What comes after
How to survive legally, morally, and spiritually
When you train with Goldbar Defense, you are preparing not just for the moment, but for everything that follows.
Because surviving the attack is only the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Self-defense is about preserving life, not taking it.
But if you are forced to act, preparation, legal, moral, and spiritual, will determine whether you survive all three fights.
Goldbar Defense exists to help you do exactly that.
Remember when seconds count and help is minutes away, you are your own first responder.
Stay safe my friends.
Pastor Bart Goldbar
Sensei | Instructor
Goldbar Defense LLC
