What the FBI Data Really Says About Self-Defense Shootings – And Why Most CPL Classes Miss the Mark

What the FBI Data Really Says About Self-Defense Shootings?

When it comes to self-defense with a firearm, there is no shortage of myths, opinions, and internet bravado. But if you are training for a real-life defensive encounter, wouldn’t it make sense to base your training on real incidents, not Hollywood fantasies, or outdated drills? That is where FBI data and law enforcement shooting studies become crucial.

In this post, we will break down what the FBI and other official sources say about defensive shootings. We will also examine how most concealed pistol license (CPL) or concealed carry classes fall short and what kind of training better prepares you for the reality of a life-or-death encounter.

The FBI's Use-of-Force and LEOKA Data: A Window into Real Gunfights

Each year, the FBI publishes reports on law enforcement use-of-force incidents and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA). While the data focuses on police, it offers some of the best real-world insight into deadly force encounters, especially when you consider that civilian defensive shootings often mirror many of the same dynamics.
Here is what the data consistently shows:

1. Distance Is Close

Most fatal encounters occur within 0–10 feet.
In fact, many shootings occur within 3 feet, a distance close enough to touch.
FBI LEOKA reports and multiple police debriefs show officers often get ambushed at arms-length distance, leaving little or no time to react.

2. Time Is Short

Most gunfights are over in 2–5 seconds.
The average number of rounds fired is 2 to 3.
There’s rarely time to “think it over” or assess a sight picture under stress.

3. Movement Is a Factor

• In most real-world shootings, at least one party is moving, and often both.
• Offenders are frequently charging, fleeing, or taking cover.

4. Low-Light Conditions Are Common

A significant portion of these encounters happen in reduced or poor lighting, often during early morning or nighttime hours.

5. Reloads Rarely Occur

Reloads are extremely rare in civilian self-defense cases.
If the threat is not neutralized in the first magazine, the fight often ends another way, either the attacker flees or the defender retreats.

What’s Actually Happening in Civilian Defensive Gun Use?

While the FBI data mostly covers law enforcement, the same principles apply to armed civilians. Studies like the National Self-Defense Survey and data compiled by researchers like John Lott and the CDC indicate:

Defensive gun use happens over 1 million times per year (some estimates are higher).
In most cases, the gun is not even fired — the threat is deterred by presentation.
When shots are fired, close quarters and extreme stress dominate the situation.

A key takeaway? You will not have time to think, reload, or run a clean drill. You will react based on how you trained; or you’ll freeze.

What’s Taught in Most CPL/CCW Classes?

Here is where we run into a major disconnect.

The standard concealed carry or CPL course, especially in states like Michigan, usually focuses on:

Legal education (which is important).
Safe gun handling.
Basic marksmanship.
Live fire qualification of 30 rounds at distances like 3, 7, and 15 yards.
No movement, no drawing from a holster, no stress drills.

These classes are not designed to train you for a fight. They are designed to help you meet minimum legal requirements, and that’s a critical distinction.

Most CPL Classes Do NOT Teach:

• How to draw from concealment under pressure.
How to shoot at contact distances (0–3 feet).
One-handed or injured-limb shooting.
How to handle moving threats or shoot while moving.
How to defend your weapon from a grab attempt.
How to issue commands or manage bystanders.
How to deal with legal aftermath or police contact after a shooting.

In other words, what is being taught does not reflect what happens in most defensive shootings.

Why That Gap Matters

This disconnect can lead to false confidence. A student may leave a CPL class thinking they’re “trained,” but without any exposure to stress, movement, or real-world context, they may freeze or fumble when their life actually depends on their skills.

Here is a scenario to consider:

You are at a gas station at night. A man quickly approaches within 5 feet, reaching for something in his waistband. You cannot retreat. You cannot run. You only have seconds, maybe less, to act.

Ask yourself:

Can you draw and get on target under that stress?
Have you ever trained at that distance?
Are you mentally and physically prepared?

If your only experience is standing still at a range firing at 7 yards, the answer is likely “no.”

What Training Should Look Like (Based on the Data)

So how should you train? Start by designing or seeking out programs that reflect what happens in defensive shootings:

1. Train for Close-Quarter Encounters

Focus on distances from 0 to 9 feet, not just 7-15 yards.
Learn how to create space, control the weapon, and shoot from compressed positions.

2. Incorporate Movement

Practice shooting while moving, lateral movement, and creating distance.
Include drills where the threat is also moving, ideally with a live role player or simulator.

3. Practice Under Stress

Use shot timers, low-light scenarios, or scenario-based drills.
Simulate being startled or surprised to train your response under adrenaline.

4. Learn Decision-Making Under Pressure

Add “shoot/no-shoot” scenarios.
Practice issuing verbal commands.
Work through scenarios involving bystanders, third parties, or ambiguous threats.

5. Build Confidence in Your Draw and Presentation

Practice drawing from concealment, clearing garments, and getting accurate hits fast.
Dry fire at home, then live fire with realistic gear when possible.

Final Thoughts: Train for Reality, Not for Paper

Firearms training is not just about shooting paper targets; it is about preparing to defend your life. The FBI and real-world data paint a picture that is faster, closer, and more chaotic than most gun owners are training for.

If you carry a gun for personal protection, don’t stop at the legal minimum.

Train for the distances that matter.
Build real skills under pressure.
Seek instructors who focus on reality-based training. Just do not just check boxes.

Because when the moment comes, you will not rise to the occasion, you will fall to the level of your training.