Non-Violent Dispute Resolution AKA De-escalation: A Critical Skill in the Texas LTC Online Class
If you’re considering a Texas LTC online class, one of the most important lessons you’ll learn is this: the best gunfight is the one you avoid. The Texas Department of Public Safety emphasizes non-violent dispute resolution as the primary option whenever possible. The goal is simple—protect yourself and others, go home safe, and avoid using force if you can.
This article, based on official Texas LTC curriculum, explains how conflict avoidance, communication, and situational awareness work together to keep you safe.
What Is Non-Violent Dispute Resolution?
Non-violent dispute resolution is the ability to resolve a conflict to a favorable outcome without the use of force or violence. If given the opportunity, it should always be your primary choice.
Most people will never face a life-threatening confrontation. However, if conflict does occur, you will rely on your:
- Highest level of training you have received
- Life experiences and skills
- Situational awareness:The Color Code of AwarenessOne of the most effective awareness models I used throughout my career is Cooper’s Color Code. Many instructors introduce this system in a Texas License to Carry online class.White – Unaware
Distracted, on your phone, not paying attention, you at home. This is where most victims are when crimes occur.Yellow – Relaxed Awareness
Alert but calm. You’re paying attention to your surroundings without being paranoid. This is the mindset every responsible carrier should maintain.Orange – Potential Threat Identified
Something doesn’t feel right, your Spidey senses are tingling, hair may be raised. You begin planning how to avoid or disengage.Red – Action Mode-immediate threat confirmed
You’re taking immediate action, or steps to escape
Our Texas LTC online course covers this material
When Conflict Presents: Perceptual Vigilance
When a situation begins to develop, practice perceptual vigilance by asking:
- What situation am I in? Is this a deadly force situation
- Who is involved? Am I disadvantaged due to age, size, sex, skill level, multiple attackers a weapon, etc, often justifies use of deadly force from the start
- What is the environment like? For example, am I a on a trail alone, or in a crowded mall?
- What emotions are being displayed?
- Is there a weapon or access to one?
- What is my distance from the subject? (establishes imminence)
- Am I armed or unarmed?
These observations help determine whether non-violent dispute resolution is reasonable or if the situation is escalating beyond that point.
Decision Time: What Should You Do?
In a confrontation, time is limited. Ask yourself:
- Can I leave safely? (Yes, consider this even if you have stand your ground law)
- Is the person armed, or are there signs they may be armed, such as outlines of weapons under clothing?
- How far away are they?
- Is this a mental health crisis?
- What level of force, if any, is reasonable and necessary?
Remember: your actions may have civil and criminal consequences. If you fire your weapon, you are responsible for every round, including misses. Any use of deadly force will likely be reviewed by a grand jury.
Communication: Your Best De-Escalation Tool
Effective communication can prevent or reduce conflict.
Verbal Factors-it’s not what you say, but HOW you say it.
Tone: Is it Passive, aggressive, or assertive?
- Volume
- Word choice-words matter
Non-Verbal Factors
- Body language and stance
- Eye contact (or lack of it)
- Personal space and distance
Consider Your Audience
- Age
- Culture
- Education
- Profession
Common Barriers
- Noise or distractions, ie you’re in a bar, or concert.
- Language differences or dialect
- Hearing or vision issues
- Prior negative interactions, you have a history with this person
Understanding these barriers helps you de-escalate more effectively.
Control YOUR Emotions
Your mindset matters. The most effective state is the Adult Ego State:
- Stay calm and LISTEN to what they are saying, let them vent if they are not being threatening
- Use good judgment
- Keep YOUR emotions in check, YOUR EMOTIONS ARE ALL YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF AND DECIDE PARTLY HOW THE ENCOUNTER WILL GO.
- Avoid blaming or escalating- YOU WILL ESCALATE AN ANGRY PERSON
- Be willing to compromise or leave IF IT’S SAFE TO DO SO.
If you can walk away safely, that’s a win.
Recognizing Pre-Assault Indicators
Certain behaviors are red flags that an attack may be imminent:
- Blading stance (boxing posture)
- Clenched or pumping fists
- Trembling (adrenaline response)
- Posturing or puffing chest
- Pacing, rocking, or bouncing
- Avoiding eye contact
- Intense target focus
- Hiding the face
- “Thousand-yard stare”
If you see these signs, create distance immediately, or leave if you can do this safely
Distance and Reaction Time Matter
My Deputy Sheriff Training shows:
- Average reaction time to a threat in an awareness state is about 0.75 seconds-The suspect taking an action against you always has the advantage.
- A suspect may draw and fire in 0.25 seconds (according to Texas DPS instructor training)
- A person with an edged weapon can cover 21 feet in about 1.5 seconds (Tueller Drill) In that same 1.5 seconds, it takes an average trained officer to draw from an untouched, open carry holster and deliver two shots into a charging suspect
This is not a “rule,” but an awareness tool taught in the Texas LTC online class to help you understand how quickly threats develop.
The OODA Loop: Think Faster Under Stress
The OODA Loop stands for:
- Observe
- Orient
- Decide
- Act
Think of this as seeing a vehicle slam on the brakes in front of you, and you formulating a plan of action to avoid having a collision. OODA loop dynamics can change during an encounter, and you should always adjust to overcome that danger.
It’s a decision-making system used in military, law enforcement, business, and everyday life to handle rapidly changing situations.
Higher-Risk Locations to Watch
Stay alert in areas such as:
- ATMs (especially at night)
- Parking lots-especially dark or unlit ones
- other Unlit areas
- Social gatherings involving alcohol and drugs
Risk Reduction Tips
- Use indoor ATMs when possible
- Leave if something feels off, for example return inside store until threat is gone.
- Have keys ready when approaching your vehicle (makes quick access and sounding panic alarm possible in event of danger.
- Check inside your vehicle before entering by looking through windows while walking up to it.
- Avoid distractions like your phone, don’t be on phone until you are in a safe environment.
- Tell someone your plans and expected return
Mental Health Considerations
According to national data: (Source Texas DPS Instructor Course instructors from September 2025)
- MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE US-2018 STATS. 47.6 us adults experienced mental illness 19.7 %, 11.4 million experienced serious mental illness 4.6 percent, 7.7 million youth between 6-17 experienced MI (16.5% youth)17.7 million people experienced a major depressive episode, 7.2%, 1.5 million experienced schizophrenia (less than 1%, 7 million have bipolar episode 2.8 percent. A MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER OR MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT is a person who is obtaining treatment or support for a mental disorder.
Some confrontations may involve individuals in crisis. Communication and distance are critical tools in these encounters.
As Benjamin Franklin said:
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
Scenario planning—thinking through “what if” situations—helps you respond lawfully and effectively. We were trained in the Police Academy to do this, My Sgt’s would do walk us through these “what if” scenarios on patrol that helped us prepare for unexpected situations
Personal Responsibility
If you carry a firearm:
- You are responsible for your decisions
- Others will judge your actions
- The law will determine if your response was justified
- Deadly force is always a last resort
The Primary Goal of the Texas LTC
The core principle of non-violent dispute resolution is:
Protect yourself and others—even if that means walking away.
Going home safe and uninjured is a win.
Take Your Texas LTC Online Class Today
Our Texas LTC online class is designed to teach:
- Conflict avoidance and de-escalation
- Situational awareness
- Texas use-of-force laws
- Responsible concealed carry practices
Train the right way—before you need it.
Enroll today and complete your Texas License to Carry online from the comfort of your home right here https://TexasLTCtrainingacademy.com/product/gun-class-online-texas-license-to-carry/