By nature we do not court danger, but it can court us. Knowing how to handle the unexpected is important. Both armed and unarmed people must follow the very same steps for self-protection. Although when things escalate to Code Black, the unarmed will likely have no means to overcome the life-threatening amount of force against them. Actions for survival can be learned and routinely practiced by armed and unarmed citizens. Licensed armed citizens provide an invisible presence and are a respected deterrent within a society braced for increasing random acts of violence. The reader follows the author's interesting expedition to learn about conceal carry, including his training to become a licensed conceal carry citizen. Discovered insights unimagined are encountered to offer challenges for self-examination of risks and benefits. Knowledge and wisdom greatly outweigh the disadvantage of ignorance about self-defense.