Add to that: "You mean,
sir, that you shoot in a competition called IPSC, where you
purposely shoot at
human targets? And, in this "
game", whomever can "kill" the most human targets by
shooting them through the HEART or LUNGS -- and in the shortest amount of time -- actually
WINS? And
you, sir, you say you feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in competing in this "contest"? Hmmmm." [Attorney looks from you to the jury, and shakes his head in shock and disbelief].
The attorney then looks back at you; "So -- I want to get this perfectly straight -- you regularly practice shooting so that you can become increasingly more proficient
at gunning-down and KILLING innocent human beings on our streets -- even to the extent of firing hundreds of rounds a month in combat training and competitions? Why, you
sick homicidal son of a $#@&, you make me
sick!" [Attorney walks away in disgust at the mere sight of you.]
:aargh4:
But, more seriously guys, my own thought is that, especially in civil suits
*, keep all "ammo" away from the opposing attorney(s) -- that ammo being your Grim Reaper handgrips, clever but violent mottos engraved on the slide, hair triggers, and modified/reloaded cartridges -- 'cause many attorneys will use ANYTHING against you to win.
And, above all, simply make sure you are only involved in a righteous life-or-death shoot; NEVER shoot to protect property, even that classic shiny Jaguar convertible you spent three years restoring --
no matter what your own state's self-defense laws may say; it's just not worth it on a financial or emotional level.
-Bill
*The criminal justice system itself is more fair than most people imagine; the
civil tort side of things is a
completely different matter entirely (i.e., even when you win, you lose: The attorney's fees will completely break you. I won't even go into the emotional devastation of watching your life's saving eaten up as your lawyer's invoice comes in the mail each month...
).
PS: And
yes, I was kidding about the IPSC scenario; if your lawyer can't suppress or nullify an opposing attorney's vilification of your shooting practice, then get another attorney!