Have you had to draw or shoot your weapon to defend yourself?

[FirearmFan]

Hi everyone,

I'm reading a conceal and carry book and was just curious if anyone here has had to draw there weapon or shoot to defend themselves and or others? Not trying to be nosey, wanted it for more an idea of what to expect and what you learned from the experience so that the rest of us can improve from it.

Thanks.

[Clinot]

Never had to, pray each day I never have to.

[USP45usp]

Nope (came close once) and I Pray that I never have to.

Wayne

ps. Which book? The ones by Mr. Waters? Read those, great books!

[Wynterbourne]

Ask me no questions...and I won't have to check Statute of Limitations.

[Zachary Vonler]

I was once sitting a stop light about 3am, after having been working late. It was a weekday night, close to UT campus in Austin, where there are a lot of homeless people. Most of them are fairly young kids (that I suspect drive in from the suburbs to ask for change) but there are a few that truly live on the streets. The light is a pretty long one, I was the only car around, and there were no pedestrians except for one homeless-looking guy about half a block away walking along the sidewalk, approaching the intersection from my left side. The path that he was on would cause him to walk in front of my car while crossing the street. I wasn't really concerned about him approaching, but did keep a little attention on him. When he was about 15 feet from the car, which was where he first had a clear path to my door (the parking lot he was walking along had a barrier along the sidewalk), he suddenly angled toward my door. I turned my face to him, put my left hand flat against the window, and moved my right hand to the pistol I had in a IWB holster under my shirt. The guy basically came to a screeching halt, and put both of his palms flat out in front of him, and said something I couldn't hear through the window. I simply shook my head and very loudly said "NO." He turned back to the sidewalk and walked away.

I learned a few things:
1) It's difficult to draw quickly from an IWB holster while seated in a car. I didn't actually end up drawing, but getting my hand into position took a lot longer than normal.

2) I believe this guy knew *exactly* what I was doing. He stopped instantly when my right hand went to my hip. I don't know if that means he was up to no good, but it at least impressed me that he recognized the movement.

Looking back, I'm not sure that it was completely the right response. Since there were no cars around, I could have safely just run the light to get away from him. I had my doors locked, and always keep them that way, so barring him drawing a gun and shooting (in which case I'd likely be unable to draw quick enough to do any good anyway), there's not much he could do if I just started moving. In all honesty, it happened so fast that I didn't really even think about it. While sitting there I hadn't planned out what to do if he approached me, but the way that he turned toward the car made me react.

[losangeles]

Nope, never had to. Even when I worked as a security guard to finance college. Now I live in an upscale area with near-zero crime rate, so it's not very likely.

[chrisandclauida2]

i have had to draw many times.several while working with work crews and a couple riots.the only time out of work was at a light down town i had some idiot try to car jack me. he was probably drunk or stoned. i caught a glimps of his approch and as he opend the passanger door to get in the car i was already drawing. his ass hit the passanger seat as my weapon hit his tempel. he said sorry wrong car and took off. thankfully he got out quick enough so his unintentional fecal discharge didnt get on my seat.and yes i would have stopped the threat to my life if he didnt immeadiately get out. or if i saw any weapon. i think he had a weapon in his right hand but entering the car from the passanger side delayed his presentation thus saving his life.
at work we had some guy attempting to break into a prison. i stopped him, and he reached into his bag digging for ...well you know.he pulled his bottel wanting to finnish it before he went to jail. thank god he didnt pull any weapon as well i dont want to think about that. i had an inmate attempt to walk up on me while on a work crew in a remote area. an 870 racking the slide finnally stopped him. he refused verbal commands to stop coming closer. he was 10 feet away when he stopped. as you all know thats way too close. if i hadnt stopped him there[i started to rack the slide at about 20 feet and gave commands at about 30 feet]he would have been on me before i could react if i had started then. our cover man on the dam looking down on us alread was starting to pull the trigger on a m16. the idiot inmate was too close and almost died.other than that all the shooting was done during riots or on work crews with less lethal ammo so it wasnt no big thang.

[stratus]

i caught a glimps of his approch and as he opend the passanger door to get in the car i was already drawing. his ass hit the passanger seat as my weapon hit his tempel. he said sorry wrong car and took off.

Was your passenger side door lock broken?

[AMT8951]

About 3-4 yrs ago, I had an experience very similar to Zachary Vonler. I was driving home from a 12hr shift at the PD shift in my old pick-up. It was raining like crazy and it was about 4:15am on a Sunday morning. I live and work in a college town and last call had been at 3am. Despite the hour and the weather, there were still plenty of people on the streets, mostly drunk college kids. I was carrying a 3in S&W M65 in the cargo pocket of my work pants.
I was stopped at a red light with a vehicle in front of me and a vehicle behind me. The doors were unlocked, I was dead tired, and my mind was a million miles away. All of the sudden, I saw movement outside the front passenger side window of my truck. I looked and saw a figure in a black hooded sweat shirt peering through the window. A split second later the door was flung open. Before I knew it I had my revolver out with the muzzel about two feet from the strangers face.
It was then I realized that it was a young lady. Fairly pretty and very drunk. She didn't even seem to notice the gun. She smiled and said " It's pouring out, can me and my friends please have a ride up to campus?" I looked over her shoulder and saw two other females hudled under an overhang a few yards away. Feeling a need to explain the gun in my hand I said "I'm a cop. You need to find a cab" or something like that. I was about to pull out my badge and ID myself, maybe lecture her or something, but before I had time, she slamed the door and walked away.
Even over the rain I could hear her shout to her friends "He said no!" (nothing about me being a cop, or getting a gun stuck in her face) Then I heard one of her friends reply "Why are people such A**holes!" Then I heard the guy behind me blowing his horn. The light had turned green. I think the whole incident took about 10-15 secs.
I'm pretty sure that this incident freaked me out much more than it did the young lady. I guess I learned a few things from this incident. I always lock my doors. I always stay alert at traffic lights. I always leave enough space between my car and the car in front of mine so that I can get around them if I have to.

[tjhands]

Ummmm, Chris.......did you misspell your wife's name by chance? Hehehe, that's probably a good one to get right. :D

[springmom]

Hopefully never will.

Springmom

[chrisandclauida2]

her name is spelled that way on purpose. it really cuts down on spam and crap/ people spell it properly on mail; and it goes back to em. they just stop.so when ui register for places i just spell it that way so i dont have to think too hard.


the car was an old one and the door was broke. the lock didnt work in years.

[stratus]

the car was an old one and the door was broke. the lock didnt work in years.

I figured that was probably the case. You did the right thing (well, obviously :D)

[tuckerdog1]

On our way to a sporting event. Can't carry at the event, so my gun is under the driver's seat. I'm 1st in line at a red light left lane. Intend to turn left at the next traffic light about 3/4 mile up the road. Light turns green, we're moving, but before I even clear the intersection, the Caddy behind lays on the horn. Scared me at 1st. I'm thinking, what am I not seeing, am I about to be involved in a wreck? I check the mirror, and this guy is flashing his lights & throwing his hands up in anger. I'm thinking geezz man, the light just turned green, I can't pull to the right, because there is a car right next to me, and go to hell, I'm turning left at the next light & need to be in this lane. Well, I'm moving faster than the car to my right, so a gap opens up for him to pull into the right lane & pass on the right. He pulls up next to us, slows to our speed & gives me the hard a$$ evil eye. He looked like a gang member. I guess I'm just a politically incorrect profiling type. At this time, my wife helps out, by giving him the finger. He gets furious, cuts me off, hits his brakes, accelerates, passes a couple cars & starts to disappear. Well, as luck would have it, he is turning left at the same light we are. The left turn light is red. There is 1 car between us. But he sees us. He gets out of his car & starts aggressivly heading for my car. Could not pull out, as through traffic on my right was heavy & moving fast. To the left was a steep ditch ( and him ). Told my wife, I think I might have to shoot this guy. Pulled my gun from under the seat & made it visable. He was about even with my headlight when he saw it, turned around quickly, got in his car, pulled out of the turn lane & drove off.

Discussion with my wife later. Had he approached us with a gun drawn, and quickly opening fire, we'd have been sitting ducks. I'd still need to try & retun fire as best I could, but she needed to take cover on the floor ASAP. And please, don't aggravate the situation again by giving the guy the finger. She seems to be a slow learn on that. Still happens.

Tuckerdog1

[bedula32]

A friend of mine and I just parked in the parking lot at a mall in California. I turned the ignition off and it was one of those wonderful cars that unlocks all the doors for you when you switch the ignition off in case you forgot how to unlock the door yourself and end up dying from exposure. Anyway, just as the doors conveniently all unlocked a pedestrian dude approached my friend on the passenger side door and my friend being very aware and fast managed to grab the door handle and prevent the guy from opening the door. As they wrestled with the door the pedestrian guy pulled out a bowie knife and within what probably was milliseconds of that my friend pulled out his 1911. The dude with the bowie knife actually stepped back and smiled and then walked off. He actually smiled like "you win." Of course this could not be reported unless my friend wanted to go to jail for having the 1911 as he did not have the money to bribe the local sheriff for a permit which cost a contribution to his election campaign of $1000 to start.

[281 Quad Cam]

Of course this could not be reported unless my friend wanted to go to jail for having the 1911 as he did not have the money to bribe the local sheriff for a permit which cost a contribution to his election campaign of $1000 to start.

Glad to see all those gun laws in California are cracking down on criminals.

[swmike]

This company I used to work for had a real "Clown" and he just happened to work in my office. One Fall we went on one of those famous "Corporate Planning Retreat". One evening, during this retreat, we decided to go as a group to a local restaurant noted for Crab. Several carloads started out. At one of the stoplights, this "Clown" got out of the car he was riding in, snuck up alongside my drivers side door (while I was talking with a co-worker riding with me). The "Clown" thought it would be funny to slap the driver's door window a few times. After the first "slap" he was looking at the bore of my 9mm. After we arrived at the restaurant he spent the better part of the first hour in the restroom cleaning up.

Several months later the company circulated a "No weapons on ANY Company property (including cars) policy. I shredded it and ignored it for the next 16 years. Carried wherever I went on their property until I retired.

[rapier144]

Sure they are the bad guy didn't have one He just did'nt see the law about armed assault being illegal.

[bedula32]

If I were a murderer, rapist, child molester, or robber I'd certainly live in California since it is the public policy there to take it easy on violent crooks and leave the general population helpless against predators. Gun laws or otherwise the general consensus in California seems to be to let the violent thugs walk around with everyone else and turn society into one big prison.

[MCIWS]

One evening, after a late dinner, my wife and I were walking up to a set of stairs that led to our apartment. As we were approaching the stairwell, a Hispanic male, about mid-twenties, began walking toward us at a very brisk pace from about twenty feet away.

He had a shaved head, plain white T-shirt, low-sagging khaki pants and white tennis shoes. I remember it clearly because it struck me as odd, as it obviously should have.

I was wearing a Glock 26 in an open-top IWB holster at eleven o’clock. My shirt was not tucked in. I moved my hand to the weapon in a manner to appear that I was scratching my stomach.

I did not realize that I had uncovered my weapon completely. Basically, he saw my hand gripping a firearm and me starring right at him.

He stopped dead in his tracks and then slowly changed his direction of travel.

To this day, I truly believe that he had the intent to cause us harm. I also believe that having a weapon on my person possibly saved a life (him) or lives (us).

I did not purposely show my weapon with the intention of intimidating him, but I do not regret him seeing it either.

My wife was just reading over my shoulder and saw a little bit of the story: “Nothing even happened. You are making that up!”

I hate to admit it, but she is so oblivious it is scary. I wish she would have a little situational awareness sometimes.

[JohnKSa]

And please, don't aggravate the situation again by giving the guy the finger.Any girl I have gone out with for any decent length of time has gotten the lecture.

I stress that if I am with them they are absolutely NOT to escalate or create a situation by doing something stupid like shouting or gesturing. I make it clear that they are not the ones who will have to back up their stupidity with actions--the bad guy will take it out on me.

[stratus]

I'm glad to see that from those who have posted their experiences in which they've had to draw (or nearly draw) their weapons, just judging from this thread, that the handgun seems to act as an excellent deterrant. Even though it's imperative to back the threat of force with the actual use of force if necessary, if the deterrant aspect works, then thank god for that.

[yorec]

I scew the averages having been an LEO for twelve years, but yeah I've drawn several times in defense of my person. Thankfully I've never had to fire.

What I've learned that sticks out the most? I hate vicious dogs in dark alleys... :mad:

[mvpel]

I was out stacking and sorting firewood when I heard my dog yelp and snarl maybe ten or twenty yards away behind me. I dropped my firewood and drew my pistol, thinking "coyote" or some such, expecting to see blood. The sound of the snarl was very alarming, she NEVER does that.

When I ran up to Heidi, I found her nose was sporting about a dozen and a half small quills, courtesy of the resident porcupine. The only blood she shed, thankfully, was when I tackled her, held her down, and plucked the quills out of her nose.

I thought I'd have to draw and fire back in February, too, but the deer I hit only had the wind knocked out of him, and got up and scrambled away. My car wasn't so lucky - $2,000 worth of unlucky, at less than thirty miles per hour.

[FirearmFan]

Thanks for contributing guys. I'm glad to see no one has had to shoot and that the weapon acted as a deterant!

[Twycross]

I've never had to draw yet. I have drawn on occasion, thinking I would have to defend myself, but all of those incidents involved one or more grouse. Grouse are mean and vicious birds, especially when they erupt out of the bushes just three feet from you...

[k9lwt]

I've had to draw several times while working (LEO), never had to fire-I hope I never have to.

[blackmind]

This is a sensitive topic, so I hope I don't give offense.

To the LEOs:

I understand that it can be traumatic to take a life, but I wonder something. You see some of the absolute dregs of society -- people who really are inhuman in their treatment of other people. It is one thing to say that you don't want to go through shooting someone (paperwork, investigation, paid leave, vilification in the news and by "community leaders" :rolleyes: ), but given the people you sometimes arrest -- real scumbag crapwads -- do you really think that you'd regret so badly having to dispatch one due to his own criminal action? Wouldn't you feel that you had done humanity a favor? Saved a few lives by ending one really loathesome one?

I ask this with honest curiousity, not seeking to challenge anyone. But I guess that for those who are LEOs here, it might not be wise to publicly post, "Yeah, I'd love to off one of these sumbitches..."


-blackmind

[Bender711]

yes, what you said about them being the scum of socity and doing humanity a favor by dying is true....but it makes you sound like a NAZI.

[blackmind]

Well, I didn't mean to sound like a Nazi.

I'm not talking about judging certain people to be worthy of extermination -- I'm talking about criminal attackers, dude. People who have transgressed, not people who simply were born with the wrong skin or sexual orientation or something...

I'm just having trouble understanding why people would feel so bothered by having to shoot a real criminal BG. Is it about emotions? Human life (no matter how degenerate, apparently)? Legal ramifications? What?



-blackmind

[4x4]

Blackmind I know what you are saying. I think what they are saying is NO they don't won't to have to shoot anyone. I think killing another human being does something to you even if it is justified. I think that is why some people come back from war all messed up...and how much more justified can you be for killing than war-time. Just my .02

[Clinot]

This is a sensitive topic, so I hope I don't give offense.

To the LEOs:

I understand that it can be traumatic to take a life, but I wonder something. You see some of the absolute dregs of society -- people who really are inhuman in their treatment of other people. It is one thing to say that you don't want to go through shooting someone (paperwork, investigation, paid leave, vilification in the news and by "community leaders" ), but given the people you sometimes arrest -- real scumbag crapwads -- do you really think that you'd regret so badly having to dispatch one due to his own criminal action? Wouldn't you feel that you had done humanity a favor? Saved a few lives by ending one really loathesome one?

I ask this with honest curiousity, not seeking to challenge anyone. But I guess that for those who are LEOs here, it might not be wise to publicly post, "Yeah, I'd love to off one of these sumbitches..."


Are you insane? Why would you even ask a question like that?
The fact that you even posted it with qualifiers such as "paperwork", etc.. is mind boggling.

[Radiki]

Getting back on topic, I was at an ATM by myself, and here a lot of loud voices from around the corner...not yelling, just multiple male voices talking loudly. I have typed in my info and am waiting for it to process, eyeying the corner as 5 "ghetto" looking males come around it. Baggy pants, shirt 4xtimes too large etc. They all stop the loud thing and talk quietly for like 5 seconds. Three start walking toward me. My ATM card is being ejected at this point. 15-18 feet to them straight ahead of me, 10-12 feet to my truck to the right. I can see all 5 of their hands except one inside a pocket. All three staring at me and walking toward me still. Left handjust pocketed ATM card and money and right pushed jacket back, place hand on grip and broke the thumbstrap with out drawing... All I said was "No" and shook my head. The three stopped and all five walked away without looking back.

[stratus]

I'm just having trouble understanding why people would feel so bothered by having to shoot a real criminal BG. Is it about emotions? Human life (no matter how degenerate, apparently)? Legal ramifications? What?


All of the above, I should think, and probably in that order. I've never been there, so I can't describe it, but ending another human life would not be an experience that I'd be able to shake off easily. Intellectually I understand that it may on some level benefit society to end the life of someone who is obviously a degenerate criminal. But just because we are pro-gun, or conservative, or whatever, doesn't make us Vulcans. We do have emotions and watching another person die at our hands is going to bother us. By "us" I mean humans. The legal ramifications would only serve to remind us of the event that we probably wish never had to happen.

[sgtbear]

Eight years into a 27 year LE career, fired a weapon at a person. Had to use a SMG for fire suppression, to allow team movement, for an entry to a govt building where hostages were being held. Suspect already shot up the bldg, one officer wounded, 22+ hostages, including one disarmed officer. The entry failed due to recent construction not showing up on bldg schematics. Fire suppression to cover our exit as well. Suspect had fired on us about 15-20 rounds, armed with 30-06 and 45. He was taken down thru a window, by our LE marksman about 30 min later. We had to make "that" decision, he left us no other choice. He came from a nice family, no history of trouble.

Drew my sidearm or pointed shotgun several times, mostly on high risk warrant service, incl. meth labs. On patrol, seldom.

This is a question often sincerely asked, but difficult to describe. It is not anything like one can imagine, and you function by your training. It's over in seconds. Mindset - survive, cover your fellow officers, get it done and do it right, otherwise you may not go home that day.

[TexasSIGMan]

Late one night in Dallas a couple of years ago I stupidly ran low of gas and didn't realize it until I was in the WRONG place to stop at night, but had no choice. I was in a very expensive sports car at the time (ahh the single days).

I stopped at the only gas station I could find, dark and deserted....great.

Sure enough, about halfway through filling up a guy comes around the corner headed straight at me. He's not just wandering around, he is staring at me and headed for me. Dark, hooded sweatshirt, and I'm way too alone.

I draw my Sig239 and point it at the ground in front of me, yelling "STOP THERE. I HAVE A GUN" The guy immediately turns around and walks back the other way, not a word said. He doesn't act scared, just changes his mind. I stop the pump and get in the car, get the hell out of there. I called 911 and reported it, since I didnt want this guy calling in first about some crazy guy at the gas station with a gun.

They didn't even ask much, took my name and said they would call if they needed anything.

Personally I think he intended harm since he didn't freak out when he saw the gun. I think someone just asking for change or whatever would have freaked out more. This guy had obviously thought it out and weighed the risks.

[DocFox]

Blackmind.... when a good person takes a life, it will change theirs forever, justified or not. Right or wrong, the blood doesn't wash off your hands, and you see the faces every time you close your eyes.

No disrespect intended, and I know you meant none, but that is a taboo question that most Veterans and LEO find disrespectful, and it brings up bad memories.

[Mikeyboy]

I have a lot of friends/family in law enforcement and the military and out of them only 3, one cop and two in the military took a life in the line of duty. I can tell you now from talking with them regardless if they are a scumbag criminal or an enemy combantant if you are truly human...I WILL BOTHER YOU. It is a tramatic event, and like other tramatic events in your life, every once in a while it will pop in your head. My dad is a Vietnam Vet and it took him years before he would openly talked about the guys he killed, I wouldn't say he is haunted, he loved his time in the Marines and said he would love to visit Vietnam again as a tourist. My dad simply says it is like the day after you lose your virginity, you never forget the first time and you are changed or matured after it. My neighbor's son who is just back from Iraq gets real quiet when someone asks him if he every killed anyone. My Neighbor says he took a shot along with his buddy at an insurgent with an RPG at something like 300 yards so he is not sure if it was him or his friend who got him. Finally my close friend is a police officer who shot a known drug addict who was waiving around a gun. He was a basket case the first few weeks, but now he seems fine.

[tuckerdog1]

Never killed anyone, so pure speculation on how it would "actually" affect me, should it happen. But I think circumstances would play into it for me personally. Think it might bother me for example, if it was defending a 3rd party that was a stranger. But if somebody was threatening a member of my family, I kill 'em, retell the story at every Thanksgiving dinner & on every anniversary of the killing, I'd **** on their grave. When it comes to family, no sympathy & no regrets!

Tuckerdog1

[blackmind]

Are you insane? Why would you even ask a question like that?
The fact that you even posted it with qualifiers such as "paperwork", etc.. is mind boggling.


I wish you would be a bit more explicit in your questions, especially if you are going to be implying that you think I'm insane.


I asked a genuine question -- I don't give a damn if you don't want to answer it. So DON'T. See how much I cry, "I didn't get an answer from Clinot!" :( :rolleyes:

I asked the question because an alleged LEO said that he would be all bothered by having to shoot a criminal -- and we're talking about violent criminals who have taken shots at them or otherwise posed threats to their lives! I think that "insane" is thinking that there is some big F'in tragedy in seeing the life of such a ..."person" come to an untimely end.

I offered some conjectured possibilities for why an LEO would do the opposite of relishing the chance to be the one who takes such a delinquent out of the population.

Tough luck if you can't handle a legitimate question, I guess.

-blackmind

[blackmind]

Never killed anyone, so pure speculation on how it would "actually" affect me, should it happen. But I think circumstances would play into it for me personally.

Exactly! That's what I've been saying, and what's been misunderstood.

People are saying that even if the person you kill was a scumbag, evil criminal who was trying to rape their wife, or kill them, or kidnap their daughter, they'd be "haunted" and "see his face" and stuff... I'm not saying my way is the only way, for cryin' out loud -- but I AM asking why so many seem to believe they'd be so bothered by eliminating an evil person before the evil person got them! I personally would feel as you said you would feel. When it's him or me, I'd be hard-put to feel any guilt or sadness whatsoever.

Now, if I were in a car wreck where someone who was wearing a seatbelt and had not done something outrageously stupid to cause their death was killed, I would be saddened by that. But I guess I have an outlook on things that "stuff happens," and you can't let the rest of your life be dragged down into depression. You have to move on. If you've lost a family member to tragedy or illness, you understand that, especially if it was a painful, drawn-out thing and you saw your loved one suffer.

But bad guys? No.


-blackmind

[Clinot]

I wish you would be a bit more explicit in your questions, especially if you are going to be implying that you think I'm insane.


I asked a genuine question -- I don't give a damn if you don't want to answer it. So DON'T. See how much I cry, "I didn't get an answer from Clinot!"

I asked the question because an alleged LEO said that he would be all bothered by having to shoot a criminal -- and we're talking about violent criminals who have taken shots at them or otherwise posed threats to their lives! I think that "insane" is thinking that there is some big F'in tragedy in seeing the life of such a ..."person" come to an untimely end.

I offered some conjectured possibilities for why an LEO would do the opposite of relishing the chance to be the one who takes such a delinquent out of the population.

Tough luck if you can't handle a legitimate question, I guess.

-blackmind

You insist your words were misunderstood, yet you so callously stated that I'm not talking about judging certain people to be worthy of extermination When so obviously your words are meant to be read and stated as such.

You tried to go-easy that remark by saying said that "-- I'm talking about criminal attackers, dude. People who have transgressed, not people who simply were born with the wrong skin or sexual orientation or something..."

Why are you even qualifying that statement? When later you state further foolish musings in wondering why someone would not relish the " chance to be the one who takes such a delinquent out of the population".

By the judgment of whom? Do you hold your acts above the recourse of our legal system? Who the hell are you to relish the opportunities to clear the streets of the transgressors?

Why argue with you? You are like a vigilante in the making and nothing I or anyone else will say will deter you from your eventual newspaper front page glory.

[blackmind]

By the judgment of whom? Do you hold your acts above the recourse of our legal system? Who the hell are you to relish the opportunities to clear the streets of the transgressors?


Wow, talk about holier-than-thou! Is it okay to be judgmental of me in your criticism of me being judgmental? The second wrong makes the right? After all, I'm only talking about being "judgmental" of someone who is in my face threatening my LIFE. Yeah, I am okay with being "judgmental" in such a case. Hard to mistake who to shoot when someone is trying to kill you, I would imagine.

Do I hold my acts to be above legal recourse? I do what I feel is right. Most of the time that is well within what the law of the land says is right. You can be assured that I certainly do feel that if my life is truly threatened by an unprovoked criminal attack, if I kill that person YES I feel that my act is above reproach.
Me = law abiding. Criminal = tried to kill me
So where's the issue?

Who am I to relish the elimination of criminal scum from the midst of honorable society? No different from anyone else who wishes to live in peace, but prepares for war. I feel no shame for wanting criminals gone, one way or the other. Just accept the fact that I'm different from you, and won't cry over a criminal whose actions get him killed by his victim; and I won't be the victim who has compunctions about killing his attacker, if that should happen some day. I have good track record: 34 years and haven't had to shoot anybody. If your assumptions about me were correct, I probably would be cruising out to the many "bad areas of town" around here to try to bait a bad guy into trying to rob me just so I could "clear the streets."

Contrary to what you seem to think, I don't act the vigilante. I mind my own business. But I don't understand the idiotic sympathy that so many exhibit for BAD guys.


-blackmind

[Mikeyboy]

But if somebody was threatening a member of my family, I kill 'em, retell the story at every Thanksgiving dinner & on every anniversary of the killing, I'd **** on their grave. When it comes to family, no sympathy & no regrets!

Ohh same here. While I may feel a little sympathy for killing an armed drunk who attacks me alone, I would have no sympathy for someone who comes after my family. Especially my kids. I like the Thanksgiving day story part. "It is great you were all able to make it...hey remember the time I pumped 6 rounds into that guy who broke into the house...pass the turkey.

[stratus]

Why argue with you? You are like a vigilante in the making and nothing I or anyone else will say will deter you from your eventual newspaper front page glory.

Enough with the damn name calling. Blackmind has an opinion. Get over it. I don't see him slinging these kinds of insults.

Now that that's out of the way... Blackmind, here's my straight answer to your question:

Would it bother me to kill a bad guy? Probably. Would it bother me more if I let the bad guy get the best of me or my loved ones because I hesitated at the moment of truth? Absolutely. I'd rather live with the emotional and legal consequences of killing when it was necessary. I don't even want to entertain the thought of being so weak that I couldn't protect myself or someone I love.

From a relative viewpoint, I can understand where you're coming from.

[DasBoot]

From about 1986 thru 1993, I was a photographer in NYC.
Between jobs, I would drive a Yellow Cab at night.
I won't go into detail, but I drew, and pointed, my Colt .38 Det.Sp. on more than one occassion and INSTANTLY diffused the situation.
"Nuff said!:cool:

[shamus005]

Thank God, I never had to present my weapon.

In war, my father obviously did. At home, just a few years ago he had to deter a threat. He and my mom lived out in the country. On night he awakes to the sound of something at the front door. He takes the 2-barrel shotgun and walks into the living room to see 2 young men trying to jimmy open the front door. The front door has a glass window imbedded in it. My dad pops the light on, and puts the shotgun barrel against the glass. The guys look up, see the gun, and run to their truck.

[aspen1964]

..had a well-meaning but rather stupid indian acquantice rattle the back door..it was locked..one night...his family had been storing some stuff in our back yard and he wanted to tell us he was retrieving it...at least that is what I am going to believe...anyway i was in another part of the house and heard the back door handle being repeatdely jiggled...got a small automatic that was close-by and slowly parted the curtain and pointed it right at him...of course everything defused itself at that point...but so far that was the only time I took a bead on anyone...

[03roushs1]

never had to. hope to god the day never comes when I do need to use it.

[0utlier]

My first post, and I've drawn twice. Maybe I really am an outlier. Sorry for such a long first post.

The first time was about 14 years ago when I was 21. I used to play in a rock band, and our rehearsal hall was in a VERY bad part of downtown. The guitarist and myself were putting some gear in my car (around 1am) when two guys walk up on either side of the car. My door is open and my gun is sitting on the seat (I had just put it there). The guy on my side says "gimmie your money". I tell him ok, and reach in my car and pull out my gun and hold it pointed towards the ground. I look him in the eyes and tell him “I don't have any money”. He just stands there for a second, and his buddy on the other side of my car says "get the money", or something to that effect. That guy doesn't see my gun. The guy on my side seemed stunned for a few seconds, and then says "ok man, that's cool" (or something like that) and tells his buddy "lets go", in an urgent tone. I glance over and the other guy has such a perplexed look on his face. He doesn't know what's gotten into his buddy. They walk quickly away, and we quickly get in the car and get out of there.

After it was over, I actually got scared and had the shakes. I often think what would have happened if the situation had escalated. At 21, I hadn't fully worked out the awesome responsibility of having a firearm at the ready. I'm glad I had it, but even more glad I didn't have to actually "use" it.

The second time I drew my weapon at someone was several years ago at the house we were living at the time. It was around 3am. My wife wakes me up freaking out. She is frantic telling me someone is banging on the back door. Sure enough, someone is going to town on the door leading out to the garage. We didn't live in a "bad" part of town, but it was beginning to creep our way. Someone had recently broken into one of our cars, and had stolen a radio. I wasn't taking any chances at 3am. The door had a window, and I pulled the curtain back and pointed the gun through the glass. The guy had on nothing but shorts (no shirt, no shoes, and his hands were bleeding). He sees the gun and screams "don't shoot". I ask him what he wants and he says someone broke into his apartment down the street. He asks to come in (yeah, like that was going to happen). I call the cops, they talk to me, they talk to him, and his story doesn't pan out, as I learn the next day. Turns out it was some kind of drug deal gone wrong and some guys came to even the score from what the cop tells me the next night.

Should I have pulled my weapon? I don't know. It was a split second decision regarding what to do when someone unexpected is banging at your door at 3am. I did what I thought was best at the time to keep my family safe. Thankfully, I've only shot silhouettes, and never somebody.

[Pamato]

Probably about four or five years ago, the lovely wife and I are silting watching "Erin Brokovich"(sp) . My wife got up to get a snack and told me to come lookout the window. I get up and take a look. There in our neighbors driveway, is some putz, naked as a jaybird, laying on our neighbors driveway with his feet around his ears spanking the monkey to beat the farm.:barf:

Good thing she thinks grass is a green blur without her glasses. I, for some reason, could not believe what I saw so I went to sit back down and continue watching the movie. After some words at me from her I get back up and come to the window and get the phone; calling 911. (oh my, I forgot to tell you, the window was open and Putz evidently heard her tone) He gets up and starts walking towards the house, a distance of about 70 or 80 feet. I give her the phone and go to the bedroom for my. 357.

As I am returning to her, I hear her say that he has disappeared in the shadows. I proceed to check all windows and doors and wait for more than thirty minutes till the Law shows up. Together, we search around and find nothing but the grizzly remains of his loneliness. Finding nothing, he sends me home and patrols the area behind the wheel.

With the exception of my neighbors driveway, nothing was the worse for wear. I let my neighbors know that a prowler was around, and let it go.

Funny thing was that the 911 dispatcher kept telling my wife that I needed to put the gun away. She politely told the dispatcher that it would remain handy until the deputy arrived.

I will admit that it was a little hairy in real life, but I was actually pretty tightly wrapped and not spazzing in any way.

(my wife was reading this over my shoulder and said I actually got it pretty much right.)

[Glock 31]

This is for Zachary Vonler, it was the right response. You are not dead, and not in prison. That's all the reassurance you should need.:cool:

[Glock 31]

One night I was jogging around town cause I had gotten into this whole healthy thing, which is fine. But when I do I always carry. This is before I quallified for a concealed carry permit. I would wear bdu style pants, a shirt, and an on the belt, open carry, holster. Weapon of choice was a Bersa Thunder .380, good gun for weight and relative stopping power. This night consisted of 9 1/2 miles of jogging and speed walking, (i'm not Lance Armstrong afterall). About halfway I was stopped on the street by the local PD, made to "assume the position" for the first time in my life, and searched. All this I will say I did not mind at all, they are just doing their jobs and I applaud them for it. And since I had nothing to hide I fully cooperated, (not that I would have resisted had I something to hide). Anyway they ran the numbers on my gun, everything came back fine, and they let me go about my buisness, explaining there had been numerous break-ins in the area recently and where just being safe. Mind you this is at about 3 a.m. and how often do you see someone with a holster, urban camo colored pants, running down the street. I use what I have, I can't afford the best jogging gear. Anyway about ten minutes later I made the mistake of running down a very poorly lit street which was a fairly main thoroughfair during daylight hours, but can get nasty at night. I noticed a hispanic male in black pants and white wife beater, (local colors here for the south side locals being black and white), leaning against a wall kind of weaving back and forth. I jogged past him on the other side of the street. He proceeded to try to get my attention and I could hear words like, "hey man" "****" "hey can I talk" "you ain't got to be afraid". Normally I would take no alarm to words like this but I was jogging and as I looked back, so was he, after me. I picked up the pace and he hurled some surly and drunken insults my way and continued to keep pace with me about 30 or 40 yards back. I was approaching an intersection where there was a gas station and better lighting, unfortunately it was closed. I turned the corner and proceeded up a fairly steep hill and apparently he gave up as I didn't see him emerge from the shadows into the lights of the intersection. Again, bear in mind, I am still moderately over weight so I am not use to running long distances but oddly enough I didn't have a problem through all this. Once I got down the other side of the hill and a good ways beyond, all the while looking back to make sure he had indeed stopped chasing me, I slowed to a walk, drew my gun and racked a round into the chamber and reholstered. At this point in time I was under the impression it was illegal to carry a gun with a round in front of the firing pin, in New Mexico however this is not the case. But I didn't know that in case you were wondering why I was a carrying a gun for protection without it being ready to fire. Nothing further occured that night but I assure you I was looking over my shoulder the whole 5 miles back to my house. That made it about a 9 1/2 mile trip total. Impressive for an overweight man in my opinion.:cool:

[Glock 31]

To ask if someone would feel bad about killing someone is too much a loaded question I think to ask. Everyone is raised differently and has different levels of emotional restraint and control. It's like the time when I was 10 and I asked my dad if he ever killed someone in Vietnam...(moment of silence).
He just kind of looked down and said he called some people in on some people, (he carried a radio).

12 years later i'm in the navy. I'm a radioman but somehow, I spend 80 percent of my time underway in foreign waters, standing behind a dual .50cal mount. I AM ready to defend the ship, I AM ready to take the lives of people assaulting this ship because to destroy the ship is to destroy me. And to me, my life will always be more important than a terrorists.

Now I know it's different in an urban setting back "home". But to take another's life is well... to send the soul God gave that individual back to God to be judged. There is no act more serious than that. That puts you in one of three places in the individual's life that mean the most than any other place anywhere else. GOD gave him life,...HE lived some of his life,...and YOU took his life.

Before anyone carries a gun, they need to stop and think about that and decide if they are ready to do it. If it means protecting my family or protecting my ability to return to my family every night...well, I'm ready.:cool:

[Rabbi]

Just once.