Would you intervene in a shooting attack where shooter has bulletproof vest?

[kelcarry]

If I have to shoot at someone because my family is or I am in imminent danger of death or great bodily injury, I am going to shoot at them even if they are wearing tank armor. Being in imminent danger to me means that I have exhausted all means to avoid the confrontation. I carry an FN5.7X28 and the ammunition is high velocity and very lethal and will probably defeat any simple body vest-type armor. The more boutique version of this ammunition has been the subject of a lawsuit from the government because it can penetrate advance body armor and is considered illegal in the hands of a civilian. It should be noted that the 5.7 is a firearm of choice for druggies and mexican cartel types because of its reputation and lethality. Not cheap at $1000 plus but if I have to fire at anything wearing anything--this will be my firearm and I will do what I have to do to protect myself and family regardless of the BGs choice of "garments".

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[OTB]

From TTAG:

"If there’s one key piece of information that an armed citizen facing a gun-wielding madman in a public place needs to know it’s this: a police officer who sees you with a firearm in your hand will shoot you dead. Nobody sets up a perimeter and waits for the SWAT team anymore. No one shouts “FREEZE!” The first law enforcement officers arriving on the scene of an active shooter enter, guns drawn and attempt to neutralize the threat. I repeat: the threat is anyone with a gun."

Figured it was relevant with all this cowboy talk.

[goldshellback]

First off lemme welcome you aboard the fourm natdad! That's one heckuva first post......

In your active shooter sceniro at a mall, my first priority is to protect my family, that's it. Engaging the active shooter is only a last resort and if I have NO other avenue of escape and, ballistic vest or not, I'm putting rounds center mass until I can effectivly put him down and/or get my family to safety. There's almost no way I could expect myself to shoot a BG with Hollywood accurcy like Gene Autry or Roy Rodgers while under fire. Unrealistic. I do know that any BG taking fire from me is gonna flintch and make a mistake. All I gotta do is keep my head together and make sure my family is safe.

[aus71383]

Whether or not there was a bullet proof vest involved would not be a deciding factor for me - if I was in a situation where I had to shoot, I would shoot.

Austin

[ANGLICO]

Here's a video of what happens when you get shot with a bullet proof vest.

Warning, video contains foul language.

My point (and others above)..... that was just a .32.

I'd love to see them try the same thing, same vest, with a .357, .45 or .44 Mag............... Just sayin. The dude would not be laughing afterwards.

[OTB]

In your active shooter sceniro at a mall, my first priority is to protect my family, that's it. Engaging the active shooter is only a last resort and if I have NO other avenue of escape and, ballistic vest or not, I'm putting rounds center mass until I can effectivly put him down and/or get my family to safety. There's almost no way I could expect myself to shoot a BG with Hollywood accurcy like Gene Autry or Roy Rodgers while under fire. Unrealistic. I do know that any BG taking fire from me is gonna flintch and make a mistake. All I gotta do is keep my head together and make sure my family is safe.

How reasonable and level-headed of you...

[First Sgt]

In your scenario, my responsibilities to myself and my family, in order of priority are:

Escape - If at all possible, I will exit the vicinity (myself and family)

Evade - If I am unable to Escape, then I will Evade the situation (myself and/or family) to the best of my ability. If evading is only seeking cover, then so be it.

Engage - If I am left with NO other option, but to Engage, then I will begin MOVING, SHOOTING, and ENGAGING. I will be trying to draw the BG away from my family if they are with me...I'm really not going to take the time to assess as to whether the BG might be wearing some type of body armor or tactical vest. My focus is on HITS and SURVIVAL. I will attack with every fiber of my being until either I am down or the BG is down. Do I have cover from which to attack from, am I making hits, are the hits effective, do I need to change my aim focus, is the BG going down because of my hits, etc etc. Things will be processed at light speed. If I sense/see that my COM hits are not effective, then I move my shot placement to other vital areas i.e. head, throat, groin, legs, etc.

Read my signature line...I think that sums it up for me...JMO

OHHHH...Welcome to the forums from South Carolina...

[First Sgt]

From TTAG:

"If there’s one key piece of information that an armed citizen facing a gun-wielding madman in a public place needs to know it’s this: a police officer who sees you with a firearm in your hand will shoot you dead. Nobody sets up a perimeter and waits for the SWAT team anymore. No one shouts “FREEZE!” The first law enforcement officers arriving on the scene of an active shooter enter, guns drawn and attempt to neutralize the threat. I repeat: the threat is anyone with a gun."

Figured it was relevant with all this cowboy talk.

And your point being? I didn't see an answer to the OP's scenario anywhere in your post...I'm certainly interested to hear how you would react...JMO

[mcp1810]

Here's a video of what happens when you get shot with a bullet proof vest.

Warning, video contains foul language.

In their commentary afterwards they mention that he was shot with a "little .32". The .32 ACP typically delivers in the neighborhood of 125 ft/lb of energy.
That is 1/4 the energy of a +P+ 9mm round or a .40 or a .45

[marcclarke]

Zipper technique.

[pittypat21]

In their commentary afterwards they mention that he was shot with a "little .32". The .32 ACP typically delivers in the neighborhood of 125 ft/lb of energy.
That is 1/4 the energy of a +P+ 9mm round or a .40 or a .45

Exactly my point of the video. People think that common bulletproof vests are truly bullet proof and will do no harm. But a "little .32" left quite the bruise and caused the victim to double over in pain (even if he was laughing about it).

[goldshellback]

How reasonable and level-headed of you...

At the mall and shopping with my wife and daughters......... VERY.

[txron]

My first duty would be to ensure the safety of my family by getting them out of the line of fire. If I could best accomplish this by not engaging the shooter, then I would not engage.

If I had to engage, then I would shoot center mass. Most BG's are not wearing bullet proof vests but some type of Load bearing vest. Even if they were wearing a bullet proof vest, 158 gr Hydrashoks are going to hurt a lot

My thoughts exactly

[playingD]

Here's a video of what happens when you get shot with a bullet proof vest.

Warning, video contains foul language.

Darwin called in sick that morning.

[Aphdmansoc]

I think that young man in the video is eligible for a Pell grant.