Safety First, Always
Force is the last option, not the first.
Carrying a firearm doesn’t make you a hero — it makes you responsible. The goal is always to walk away from a dangerous situation, not to win a fight.
Our four core principles
Self-defense is a mindset, not an act
It begins long before a confrontation: situational awareness, knowing your environment, and choosing not to be where trouble is brewing. Most successful self-defense looks like nothing at all happening.
Avoid, de-escalate, escape — then defend
Use of force, especially deadly force, is reserved for the very last resort, after every other option has been exhausted. Walking away is a win. So is throwing your wallet past an attacker and running the other way.
Use only the force necessary to stop the threat
Even where Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground applies, just because you can doesn't mean you should. You cannot pursue someone who has stopped attacking. You cannot use deadly force without an imminent threat of death or grievous bodily harm.
Know your local laws — really know them
Missouri's permitless-carry rules, where you can and can't carry, transport requirements, and self-defense law are your responsibility to understand before you carry. We can point you to local self-defense attorneys and reputable courses.
Range & gathering rules
Non-negotiable at every Pink Pistols CoMo event:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Never point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Eye and ear protection at all times on the range.
- Firearms remain unloaded and cased except at the firing line.
- Never mix alcohol or impairing substances with firearms — at gatherings, before, or after.
“The Pink Pistols isn’t really a club, it is an ethical choice and a way of life. We do not advocate engaging an attacker with force except as the last possible option.”
— Pink Pistols Utility Manual
De-escalation in practice
Most violent encounters can be avoided or shortened with simple, rehearsed responses. None of these are exotic — they just have to be ready before you need them.
If it’s your wallet they want
Don’t fight over it. Throw your wallet (or a separate cash clip) past them so they have to back away from you to retrieve it — then run the other direction. Visible cash landing where they can see it pulls their attention off you.
If it’s a bias attack
These are the cases the Pink Pistols was founded to address — where the attacker isn’t after your wallet, they’re after you. Distance, witnesses, lit public spaces, and an obvious willingness to defend yourself are all deterrents. Calling 911 the moment something feels wrong is always on the table.
If you’re cornered
Use the minimum force necessary to stop the immediate threat, and stop the moment the threat stops. You cannot pursue someone who is fleeing. Once it’s over, call the police yourself — the first person to call is treated as the complainant, not the suspect.
Can’t or don’t want to carry a firearm?
That’s a perfectly valid choice, and you’re still welcome here. Pepper spray, a stun gun, a sturdy walking cane, and a real self-defense (not tournament martial-art) class are all effective options. Use the most effective lawful tool for your circumstances. We can point you to local instructors and resources.
More links to courses, legal references, and local pointers live on the resources page.
See Resources