When Showing Your Gun Goes Wrong: Key Lessons from CCW Safe’s Defensive Display vs. Brandishing Training

Based on exclusive training from the 2025 Guardian Conference featuring Don West, Shawn Vincent, and Jennifer Chance

I was really excited when I saw the title and outline of the class that Don and the team from CCW Safe prepared to present at the 2025 Guardian Conference this year. Based on the questions I get from my students I think a lot of gun owners don't understand the legal parameters surrounding a display of a firearm.

Afterall it would seem that you would be doing a good thing if you display a gun in order to deescalate a situation thus preventing any need for an actual use of force right? Or wrong? What is the difference between defensive display vs brandishing?

There's a razor-thin line between a defensive display that prevents violence and brandishing that lands you in prison. CCW Safe's legal team delivered a masterclass on navigating this critical distinction—and the lessons could save you from both physical harm and legal catastrophe.

The Team Behind the Training

Before diving into the lessons, it's worth knowing who's teaching them. Don West brings 35+ years as a criminal defense attorney, including his role defending George Zimmerman. Shawn Vincent, a jury consultant who also worked the Zimmerman case, analyzes how juries actually perceive self-defense claims. Jennifer Chance rounds out the team as a former homicide prosecutor from Oklahoma City who knows exactly how these cases get charged and prosecuted.

Together, they've seen defensive display cases from every angle—and they're sharing what actually happens when good people make split-second decisions about showing a firearm.

The Five Critical Concepts Every Carrier Must Understand

During the training, the team outlined five make-or-break principles:

1. Defensive Display vs. Brandishing: It's All About the Threat

A defensive display requires an imminent threat of unlawful force that would justify using the firearm. Brandishing is displaying a firearm without that justification. The difference? One is legal self-defense; the other is a criminal act.

2. The “Imperfect Self-Defense” Trap

If you genuinely but unreasonably believe you're threatened, you have what's called “imperfect self-defense.” You might avoid a murder charge, but you're still likely facing manslaughter or assault convictions. Your subjective fear isn't enough—the threat must be objectively reasonable.

3. The First Aggressor Rule

The team emphasized this very strongly. If you're deemed the first aggressor—through words, actions, or even seeking out a confrontation—you lose the right to claim self-defense in most states.

4. Mutual Combat: When Nobody Wins

If both parties are willing participants in a fight, neither can claim self-defense unless they clearly attempt to withdraw and communicate that withdrawal. Road rage incidents often fall into this trap.

5. Provocation: Your Words Can Convict You

“Any word or act intended to provoke” can destroy your self-defense claim. Challenging someone to fight, using fighting words, or even aggressive gestures can make you the legal aggressor, regardless of who throws the first punch.

The Social Media Trap

One of the most sobering lessons involved Daniel Perry, whose social media posts about wanting to confront protesters were used to convict him of manslaughter, even though many believed his shooting was justified in the moment.

“Everything you've ever posted, texted, or said online can and will be used to establish your mindset,” the team warned. Perry's case shows how prosecutors build a narrative of someone “looking for trouble”—and how devastating that narrative becomes at trial.

When Display Might Be Justified (But Still Risky)

The training outlined specific scenarios where defensive display might be legally justified:

• Multiple attackers approaching (disparity of force)
• An attacker reaching for what appears to be a weapon
• Being cornered with no escape route
• Protecting others from imminent unlawful force

But even in these scenarios, the team stressed that display is incredibly risky. You're betting your freedom on witnesses, video evidence, and a prosecutor's charging decision all aligning in your favor.

The main takeaway for me? In order to legally justify displaying your firearm you need to have a reasonable and imminent threat. There isn't a lot of difference between when you can display the gun and when you can actually use the gun.

The Withdrawal Principle: Your Get-Out-of-Jail Card

Perhaps the most practical advice: If you find yourself in any confrontation, attempt to withdraw. Make it obvious. Announce it if safe to do so.

“Constant de-escalation and removing yourself from the fight” dramatically improves both your physical safety and legal position. Even if you were arguably the initial aggressor, clear withdrawal can restore your right to self-defense in many jurisdictions.

The Bottom Line: Seven Rules to Live By

The team concluded with essential rules every carrier should internalize:

1. Avoid the fight whenever possible. No confrontation is worth risking your freedom.
2. Never be the first aggressor—physically, verbally, or by seeking confrontation.
3. If you must display, be prepared to articulate why you feared imminent unlawful force.
4. Retreat when possible, even if your state doesn't require it.
5. Watch your words—both during and after any incident.
6. Assume everything is being recorded by witnesses or surveillance.
7. Get legal help immediately if you're involved in any defensive display incident.

Why This Training Matters

As CCW Safe's team made crystal clear, the decision to display a firearm is one of the most consequential you'll ever make. In a split second, you're making a choice that prosecutors, judges, and juries will scrutinize for months or years.

The full two-hour training goes deep into each case study, legal principle, and practical application. It includes detailed analysis of state law variations, jury psychology insights from actual trials, and specific verbal tactics for de-escalation.

Watch the Complete Training

This article only scratches the surface of what Don West, Shawn Vincent, and Jennifer Chance covered in their comprehensive presentation. The full video includes:

• Complete case study analysis with evidence photos and videos
• State-specific legal variations that could affect you
• Detailed breakdown of how prosecutors build these cases
• Jury consultant insights on how defensive display is perceived
• Q&A addressing specific scenarios and concerns

The complete “Defensive Display vs. Brandishing” training video is available exclusively to Guardian Nation Members. If you're serious about responsible carry and protecting yourself legally, this training is essential viewing.

Join Guardian Nation Today

Access this video and our complete library of exclusive training content from the industry's top legal and tactical experts.

Remember: The moment you choose to carry a firearm, you accept the responsibility to understand not just how to use it, but when displaying it crosses from protection to prosecution. This training could be the difference between defending your life and defending yourself in court.

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The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws vary significantly by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction for specific legal guidance.