So, I'm a 70% disabled American Veteran and I have a question...
I am only 31 (well, 32 in a week...) and I appear to be in good shape. At least until you watch me move, get up, stand, sleep, crawl, sit down, lay back, shift in my seat, (all of which could label me as a victim) etc...
I am also 6'4", 235 pounds (if you watch closely, that weight number gets progressively larger in every post!) and my wife insists that I am imposing and intimidating. I guess she's right as I frequently find myself wondering why everyone usually backs off, stares, and/or runs screaming into the wilderness and so on.:tongue: I know that I have one of those "mean faces", but I'm usually just lost in thought or concentrating on whatever I'm doing. This can give my visage quite the intense look of...well...Evil.
Yes, that is my picture over yonder...
My problem is that I cannot possibly withstand any prolonged and protracted fight, and I feel that I could easily make a case for the legitimate "Fear of Death or Grievous Bodily Harm" that my State of KY requires. I am basically made of papier-mache these days, and I don't want to lose anymore operational ability than I already have!
See, we were told (CCDW Class) that in KY, the AG Opinion is that if you have received a Credible Threat (of the above) either verbally or physically from someone, you have the right to defend yourself. Even if they attack you with only their fists, the State recognizes that if you are rendered unconscious, the BG can take your weapon and either kill you or perform some other unspeakable act.
Hence, our very strong Right to Defend in KY.
Now, I am NOT looking for the reassurance that I carry a "Double-O License to Kill" in my wallet. I never fired a single round in anger in two combat infantry tours in Iraq, and I have no intention of starting anytime...EVER.
But...
I have read some of the posts on this forum about knife defense (yes, I carry one for these and other reasons), kubotans, pocket pitbulls, and other such japery, but I couldn't do anything that lasts longer than about 3 seconds without my hips going out. In other words, my firearm is my primary line of defense.
I have bad hips (forced marches), constant headaches (IED's), hearing loss (IED's), and PTSD (which is on VA record as non-violent and non-medicated. Basically, I just break down in tears at the slightest hint of "Taps".):aargh4:
I have my VA "Service Related" card on me at all times, and the VA has my records in addition to the copy I made of my Medical Records just prior to my Honorable Discharge.
What do you think? If I'm attacked and I am forced to defend with Deadly Force, will the 70% Disability make a more convincing case for my actions? How about if I feel threatened and have to draw? Will the responding LEO's (or the local DA) care that I'm about as tough as a gingerbread house infested with ants? I realize that the PTSD can be "played" by the Prosecution, but I wasn't lying about my non-violent and non-medicated status with this.
Thoughts?
I am only 31 (well, 32 in a week...) and I appear to be in good shape. At least until you watch me move, get up, stand, sleep, crawl, sit down, lay back, shift in my seat, (all of which could label me as a victim) etc...
I am also 6'4", 235 pounds (if you watch closely, that weight number gets progressively larger in every post!) and my wife insists that I am imposing and intimidating. I guess she's right as I frequently find myself wondering why everyone usually backs off, stares, and/or runs screaming into the wilderness and so on.:tongue: I know that I have one of those "mean faces", but I'm usually just lost in thought or concentrating on whatever I'm doing. This can give my visage quite the intense look of...well...Evil.
Yes, that is my picture over yonder...
My problem is that I cannot possibly withstand any prolonged and protracted fight, and I feel that I could easily make a case for the legitimate "Fear of Death or Grievous Bodily Harm" that my State of KY requires. I am basically made of papier-mache these days, and I don't want to lose anymore operational ability than I already have!
See, we were told (CCDW Class) that in KY, the AG Opinion is that if you have received a Credible Threat (of the above) either verbally or physically from someone, you have the right to defend yourself. Even if they attack you with only their fists, the State recognizes that if you are rendered unconscious, the BG can take your weapon and either kill you or perform some other unspeakable act.
Hence, our very strong Right to Defend in KY.
Now, I am NOT looking for the reassurance that I carry a "Double-O License to Kill" in my wallet. I never fired a single round in anger in two combat infantry tours in Iraq, and I have no intention of starting anytime...EVER.
But...
I have read some of the posts on this forum about knife defense (yes, I carry one for these and other reasons), kubotans, pocket pitbulls, and other such japery, but I couldn't do anything that lasts longer than about 3 seconds without my hips going out. In other words, my firearm is my primary line of defense.
I have bad hips (forced marches), constant headaches (IED's), hearing loss (IED's), and PTSD (which is on VA record as non-violent and non-medicated. Basically, I just break down in tears at the slightest hint of "Taps".):aargh4:
I have my VA "Service Related" card on me at all times, and the VA has my records in addition to the copy I made of my Medical Records just prior to my Honorable Discharge.
What do you think? If I'm attacked and I am forced to defend with Deadly Force, will the 70% Disability make a more convincing case for my actions? How about if I feel threatened and have to draw? Will the responding LEO's (or the local DA) care that I'm about as tough as a gingerbread house infested with ants? I realize that the PTSD can be "played" by the Prosecution, but I wasn't lying about my non-violent and non-medicated status with this.
Thoughts?