Self Defense: Always shoot to kill or no?

[Quad]

What I learned in my concealed handgun license course:

Identify yourself as the intended victim.

Accuse the bad guy of posing a threat to your life.

Beyond that . . .

“I need to have my attorney present before I can answer any questions or make any statements. I’m sure you understand why.”

If they persist? If they begin harassing you?

“I am feeling ill. I need to see a doctor immediately. Please call an ambulance.”

And keep the accusation simple. NO DETAILS. "He attacked me." "He forced his way into my house." Etc. Nothing more than that.

A great danger lies in making a statement, however innocent, that is later proven to be false.

[Defenestrator]

Its a good question and I see it often and it sucks, I agree with you. I really cant say why they do that because I dont know other than to suggest that it is because you alone arent in position to force them to respect you but the attorney, as an officer of the court, certainly is. In short, they dont take you seriously because there isnt much you can do to them if they dont, but the attorney on the other hand, can bring down the wrath of god on them if they violate your rights in his or her presence. Without an attorney its simply your word against the LEO and you lose everytime in that game. You know what I am saying.

Right, and I sort of get it, but even an attorney who's been arrested is probably going to be given a hard time if he stands on his rights versus if his attorney does it for him. I would think an attorney would be fully capable of bring the "wrath of god" down on an unruly officer or station. And please correct me if I'm wrong, but any citizen with the correct knowledge of procedure and practice should be able to make all the relevant fillings to do the same. Or do the courts not show the same respect to properly lay-filed briefs vs those filed by a professional?

Would you be willing to send me a private message, or start a new thread with your general impression of law school and some of your experiences. I have often given thought to studying the law (as I'm sure many here have), but I don't believe I'd last long in a law school....I tend to ask too many inconvenient questions.

[Ebie]

Excellent post.
Yes, you cannot really say nothing.
You have to call 911--you can't just breath on the telephone!
Be well.

PS It is curious how in some cases the DAs decide to make some home owner a hero or vice versa. I remember the case one year ago where somebody shot two robbers dead in the street as they were fleeing...He must have had some friends because...


What I learned in my concealed handgun license course:

Identify yourself as the intended victim.

Accuse the bad guy of posing a threat to your life.

Beyond that . . .

“I need to have my attorney present before I can answer any questions or make any statements. I’m sure you understand why.”

If they persist? If they begin harassing you?

“I am feeling ill. I need to see a doctor immediately. Please call an ambulance.”

And keep the accusation simple. NO DETAILS. "He attacked me." "He forced his way into my house." Etc. Nothing more than that.

A great danger lies in making a statement, however innocent, that is later proven to be false.

[livtocruz]

Never make that statement, after calling 911, put you weapon down on a table, sit in a chair and acknowledge that you called them. It is after all automatic in the fact (in this day and age) that your call is traced. When confronted by the police say this; "I was defending my house, wife and children" to the best of my ability with what I had in hand. Say nothing less, say nothing more.

[AMforPM]

I also was taught to shoot center torso. As to stopping power, Dad said he knew an old rancher who had survived being shot more than once, and that he said caliber matters. When shot with a 45 non fatally he was too shocky to even pick his own gun back up and was rescued by ranch hands. He said it was like being short term paralyzed rather than a matter of pain.

A 38 wadcutter may feel like being punched and the guy may keep coming. I have extra stopping power loads in the house 38.

I also have ended trouble by pulling a gun and I was glad it worked. I'd rather take no one's life, but I would not try to shoot a leg. Once the gun is out they either stop and go away or get all I can deliver to their torso.

I read of a man shot 6 times in the head with a 25 cal who then walked to the hospital. I think some pellet guns shoot harder than 25s though.

I'm seriously considering a charter 44 bulldog. I shot a friend's and it bruised my palm because it is a really light gun for so much power, but I had no trouble hitting my rather low standards which is a milk jug at inside the house distances.

[Goldies]

I read of a man shot 6 times in the head with a 25 cal who then walked to the hospital. I think some pellet guns shoot harder than 25s though.




Check out this one. I remember reading a story about a Traditional Catholc priest shot point blank in the ???.
I messed up the whole story.

Edit
He was shot in the back which is just as deadly.


A French priest on pilgrimage to Einsiedeln, Switzerland was on his way to Mass when he remembered that he had forgotten his Scapular. Although late, he returned to his room for it.
While saying Mass, a young man approached the altar, pulled out a revolver and shot him in the back … but the priest continued to say Mass.

In the sacristy the abbot exclaimed, “I thought the man missed you.”

When the vestments were removed, the bullet was found, adhering to his little brown Scapular.

http://www.tldm.org/news7/MiraculousStoriesScapular.htm

I wonder if there is more documentation about this.

Getting shot in the back must stink.

[Saul Mine]

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/2/2/129096063101129148.jpg

[Fixture]

What I learned in my concealed handgun license course:....

Identify yourself as the intended victim......



Many individuals are somewhat intimidated by the aftermath of the 'event'.

A gun needs to be pondered in advance of such an event. Touch it, look at it, be amazed at its capabilities...Ponder what the gun can do... Once you mentally review such scenario's, then I suppose you should be allowed to possess a firearm.

If the circumstances evolve that require a mature and clearthinking adult to resort to deadly force, well guess what? KILL.

[5150female]

Remember, no one plans for Zombies until it is too late.

[Brother Shamus]

i'm sure most people here have seen this before as it seems to be the obligatory posting whenever the topic comes up, but just in case anyone hasn't....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

[Ebie]

Yes.
I've seen it.
It's good.
But as I noted, you have to say something to the police dispatcher, or the police won't come in the 1st place.
Also, I wonder if this applies to places like Texas, where, you can defend yourself in certain clear situations...
Be well.


i'm sure most people here have seen this before as it seems to be the obligatory posting whenever the topic comes up, but just in case anyone hasn't....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

[Ebie]

They taught you to say:
"He attacked me." "He forced his way into my house."
This is not saying nothing.
This is saying a lot.
Be well.


What I learned in my concealed handgun license course:

Identify yourself as the intended victim.

Accuse the bad guy of posing a threat to your life.

Beyond that . . .

“I need to have my attorney present before I can answer any questions or make any statements. I’m sure you understand why.”

If they persist? If they begin harassing you?

“I am feeling ill. I need to see a doctor immediately. Please call an ambulance.”

And keep the accusation simple. NO DETAILS. "He attacked me." "He forced his way into my house." Etc. Nothing more than that.

A great danger lies in making a statement, however innocent, that is later proven to be false.

[keepitlow]

... a few words from Jeff Cooper. (Quote condensed)

"Anyone who willfully and maliciously attacks another without sufficient cause deserves no consideration. We are fully justified in valuing the life and person of the intended victim more highly than the life of the pernicious assailant. The attacked must be stopped - at once and completely. An armed man is dangerous as long as he is conscious. Take no chances - put him out. When your life is in danger and under lethal attack don't be kind - Be harsh - Be tough - Be ruthless.'