The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Air Marshals, what were they supposed to do?

Doug.38PR · December 8, 2005, 11:02 AM

News media is asking if the air marshal was right in firing at the guy who was screaming he had a bomb and refused to comply and reached into a bag.

What happened is sad, I'm sorry the man's wife is now a widow, but frankly what was the air marshal supposed to do? Wait and see if the bag blows up everybody or not? To be there is no question.

This also kinda ties into my other post about when to draw on a bad guy. Before he pulls the gun (if there is a gun) or after he pulls a gun. If someone makes a deadly threat to immediately harm you then are you justified in acting. The incident in miami yesterday would seem to suggest yes.

December 8, 2005, 11:02 AM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Air Marshals, what were they supposed to do? News media is asking if the air marshal was right in firing at the guy who was screaming he had a bomb and refused to comply and reached into a bag. What happened is sad, I'm sorry the man's wife is now a widow, but frankly what was the air marshal supposed to do? Wait and see if the bag blows up everybody or not? To be there is no question. This also kinda ties into my other post about when to draw on a bad guy. Before he pulls the gun (if there is a gun) or after he pulls a gun. If someone makes a deadly threat to immediately harm you then are you justified in acting. The incident in miami yesterday would seem to suggest yes.