Anyone actually - want to shoot? - Page 4

2beararms · May 30th, 2006, 09:36 AM

As I read the replys to this thread I note there are two distinct lines of reason ... those who have taken a life, and those who have not.

The true question here is not "Anyone actually - want to shoot?" for if we are sane enough to legally carry the answer certainly better be no ... the true question here is "When neccessary - will you shoot?"

I have to say that I am in the later group and train, hope and pray that I will muster the courage if and when the time comes. My confidence is somewhat increased, however, by the words in this post from those who have had to make that decision in the past.

jiggz01 · May 30th, 2006, 02:28 PM

No, I don't want to shoot, but at the same time, I almost want to because if it came between me or some small child and other innocent person, I would rather have the BG attack me thus making me shoot him. Taking the BG out will not only save my life but possibly the lives of other innocent people that the BG could attack in the future. So yes, I guess I kind of do want to shoot for that reason.

It's almost like how anti-gun crusaders go on a crusade to make sure that no other children get killed by guns by banning guns. You all know what they say, "if it saves just one life its worth it"

Only difference is I go after the source of the problem and use the gun to do it.

Rumble · May 30th, 2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach S

I know the odds are in my favor of not needing it. But, like a gun, a seatbelt is something that when you need it, you need it really bad.

Someone, on another forum, I think, said: "it's not the odds that matter. It's the stakes." I took that to heart when I thought about carrying a gun, and I still consider it the best argument there is.

I've never been at the sharp end. I don't live in a dangerous place (as such things go). I don't want to shoot anyone--I'd prefer to be left alone for the rest of my life. That said, I don't find the concept intellectually or morally intolerable. Given that I've never been in a situation where I've had to face that particular crisis of self, I can only say that I have people that depend on me, and I consider it very important not to let them down.

Beretta1526 · May 30th, 2006, 05:21 PM

Even drawing my weapon is a last resort and purely a defensive effort. If I have to draw down, there has to be quite a bit that's gone wrong prior to that, or I just wasn't in the proper mindset (zone).

I would much rather never have to clear leather, ever.

tex45acp · May 30th, 2006, 05:54 PM

Unfortunately I have "drawn" on an individual that was, in my opinion, about to cause a life threatening situation to happen, and not in my favor either..

I was in Houston on business and went to my room after checking in at one of the hotels that have the entrances facing the parking lot. As I leaned in to slide the key card into the slot, I saw movement near the stairwell. I waited for a moment, but nothing happened, so I proceeded to open the door. As I picked up my bag and stepped into the room a large man of dark color came around the opening of the stairwell in a quick movement. He was holding what looked like galvanized pipe in his hand and raising it above his head as if to strike. He had on a ski mask and all I could see was his eyes. As soon as I caught the movement in my perpherial vision I dropped the bag, stepped back onto the walkway, pushed back my jacket and drew my gun. I pointed it at his head and he was probably no more than 10' away. This guy must have weighed at least 270, but he made a 180 faster than any dancer that I have ever seen and never missed a step. He hit the stairwell running and all I could hear were his shoes slapping as he hit high gear across the parking lot. I realized that I had just about took another humans life and I began to shake. After a couple of minutes, I calmed down, reholstered the gun and walked inside and called the police. They had heard of and individual of the same description that had done the same thing in several other hotels across town. To my knowledge he has never been caught.

I must admit, drawing on the guy was almost natural, and I was tightening the trigger before he turned. It all happened so fast I did not even have the chance to yell STOP or something at him. I thank God Almighty that he turned when he did. I just don't want to imagine what my life would be like had I shot him.

Would I do it again.......If my life depended on it...absolutely!!!

TonyW · May 30th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2beararms

As I read the replys to this thread I note there are two distinct lines of reason ... those who have taken a life, and those who have not.

The true question here is not "Anyone actually - want to shoot?" for if we are sane enough to legally carry the answer certainly better be no ... the true question here is "When neccessary - will you shoot?"

I have to say that I am in the later group and train, hope and pray that I will muster the courage if and when the time comes. My confidence is somewhat increased, however, by the words in this post from those who have had to make that decision in the past.

I think I'd have to agree with this. I have never had to draw on or shoot anyone, hopefully I never do. But I hope that if I had to I would be able to. If I "wanted" anything it was to somehow know this without having to go through that experience.

Only Glock · May 31st, 2006, 07:55 PM

I have drawn my weapon on quite a few occasions as a LEO and a couple of times after I left LE work. Every time (knock on wood) the display of my weapon was enough of a deterrant so that the threat stopped without my having to fire. I had some mixed feelings about pointing a gun at a person for a brief time when I first started in LE, because my father had taught my brother and I from a young age all the proper gun safety rules etc. I quickly accepted the fact that as a LEO, I would have to draw down on someone many times, and that at some time I may have to take a life to stop a threat to myself, another officer or an innocent citizen. I either had to accept it or get into another line of work.

I have always hoped and still do, that I never have to fire in defense of a life, but I am 100% willing to do so if necessary. I would hate to have to take a life, but would really have a hard time handling it if someone else was killed or seriously hurt because I hesitated.

Sorry about the rambling and if it a little off topic. Just my input on the matter.

kansas45 · May 31st, 2006, 09:20 PM

So, Along this same line. If you have to draw your wepon and actually shoot a BG (let's hope it never happen's). Do you shoot to kill or only wound him? We can all place our shot's, can't we?

P95Carry · May 31st, 2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Do you shoot to kill or only wound him?

No time in a crisis to even consider those two options - the bottom line will always be to stop, as quickly as possible, a threat.

The actual result will depend to a great extent on luck, in as much as rounds can hit vital structures or miss them entirely, even with careful COM placement. The prerequisite tho will for me always be attempting to neutralize a threat - hoping as always of course I never put this to the acid test!

Rock and Glock · May 31st, 2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Even for the three minute trip to the closest gas station to get me a pack of smokes.

LOL! I smoke too, and the irony of waering a seatbelt while smoking is not lost on me.

Quote:

... the true question here is "When neccessary - will you shoot?"

My confidence is somewhat increased, however, by the words in this post from those who have had to make that decision in the past.

Ditto

Quote:

Do you shoot to kill or only wound him?

IN Texas - shoot until they STOP - the Texas statutory "priviledge". Look at Kansas law for the correct Kansas answer.

I never have. I hope I never will. But if I do, I hope I can and train to do it well.

May 30th, 2006, 05:21 PM	#34
Beretta1526 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ...on your six (cFL) Posts: 81	Even drawing my weapon is a last resort and purely a defensive effort. If I have to draw down, there has to be quite a bit that's gone wrong prior to that, or I just wasn't in the proper mindset (zone). I would much rather never have to clear leather, ever. __________________ "I've got a mind like a steel trap... things wander in, and get mangled." -Fabbrica d'Armi P. Beretta, dal 1526

May 30th, 2006, 05:54 PM	#35
tex45acp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Great State of Texas Posts: 626	Unfortunately I have "drawn" on an individual that was, in my opinion, about to cause a life threatening situation to happen, and not in my favor either.. I was in Houston on business and went to my room after checking in at one of the hotels that have the entrances facing the parking lot. As I leaned in to slide the key card into the slot, I saw movement near the stairwell. I waited for a moment, but nothing happened, so I proceeded to open the door. As I picked up my bag and stepped into the room a large man of dark color came around the opening of the stairwell in a quick movement. He was holding what looked like galvanized pipe in his hand and raising it above his head as if to strike. He had on a ski mask and all I could see was his eyes. As soon as I caught the movement in my perpherial vision I dropped the bag, stepped back onto the walkway, pushed back my jacket and drew my gun. I pointed it at his head and he was probably no more than 10' away. This guy must have weighed at least 270, but he made a 180 faster than any dancer that I have ever seen and never missed a step. He hit the stairwell running and all I could hear were his shoes slapping as he hit high gear across the parking lot. I realized that I had just about took another humans life and I began to shake. After a couple of minutes, I calmed down, reholstered the gun and walked inside and called the police. They had heard of and individual of the same description that had done the same thing in several other hotels across town. To my knowledge he has never been caught. I must admit, drawing on the guy was almost natural, and I was tightening the trigger before he turned. It all happened so fast I did not even have the chance to yell STOP or something at him. I thank God Almighty that he turned when he did. I just don't want to imagine what my life would be like had I shot him. Would I do it again.......If my life depended on it...absolutely!!! __________________ The only thing needed for evil to exist is for good men to stand by and do nothing!!!

May 31st, 2006, 07:55 PM	#37
Only Glock Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 248	I have drawn my weapon on quite a few occasions as a LEO and a couple of times after I left LE work. Every time (knock on wood) the display of my weapon was enough of a deterrant so that the threat stopped without my having to fire. I had some mixed feelings about pointing a gun at a person for a brief time when I first started in LE, because my father had taught my brother and I from a young age all the proper gun safety rules etc. I quickly accepted the fact that as a LEO, I would have to draw down on someone many times, and that at some time I may have to take a life to stop a threat to myself, another officer or an innocent citizen. I either had to accept it or get into another line of work. I have always hoped and still do, that I never have to fire in defense of a life, but I am 100% willing to do so if necessary. I would hate to have to take a life, but would really have a hard time handling it if someone else was killed or seriously hurt because I hesitated. Sorry about the rambling and if it a little off topic. Just my input on the matter. __________________ When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference. From the essay "TRIBES" by Bill Whittle

May 31st, 2006, 09:20 PM	#38
kansas45 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: kansas Posts: 50	So, Along this same line. If you have to draw your wepon and actually shoot a BG (let's hope it never happen's). Do you shoot to kill or only wound him? We can all place our shot's, can't we? __________________ I HAVE TWO GUNS. ONE FOR EACH OF YOU!

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May 30th, 2006, 09:36 AM	#31
2beararms New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 2	As I read the replys to this thread I note there are two distinct lines of reason ... those who have taken a life, and those who have not. The true question here is not "Anyone actually - want to shoot?" for if we are sane enough to legally carry the answer certainly better be no ... the true question here is "When neccessary - will you shoot?" I have to say that I am in the later group and train, hope and pray that I will muster the courage if and when the time comes. My confidence is somewhat increased, however, by the words in this post from those who have had to make that decision in the past.

May 30th, 2006, 02:28 PM	#32
jiggz01 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 61	No, I don't want to shoot, but at the same time, I almost want to because if it came between me or some small child and other innocent person, I would rather have the BG attack me thus making me shoot him. Taking the BG out will not only save my life but possibly the lives of other innocent people that the BG could attack in the future. So yes, I guess I kind of do want to shoot for that reason. It's almost like how anti-gun crusaders go on a crusade to make sure that no other children get killed by guns by banning guns. You all know what they say, "if it saves just one life its worth it" Only difference is I go after the source of the problem and use the gun to do it.