Dangerous times even in small town

[prof fate]

I lived close to the city in an urban-ish suburb. Had someone try to steal my car, stole stuff off my porch, installed a home alarm system. YOu'd get up at 6 am on a sunday morning with fresh snow and there would be foot prints on the sidewalk. Would get solicitors of some kind just about every week knocking at the door.

Moved to a much more rural area...in 20 years here i"ve had 5 knocks on my door. Census taker, religion folks twice and a politician running for office once, and earlier this summer a college kid selling siding or roofing or some crap like that while they were working in the area (and I was out in the yard).

I've come back from being away to find I forgot to lock up, close the door, etc. Never an issue. Never had footprints in the snow.
Only lock my car in the driveway if money or a gun are in it - other than UPS leaving a package inside the car once it's never been touched.

A friend carries 24/7, won't go 'there' if he can't carry -hasn't been to a movie in years, a pro sports event in many many years, the beach (nj, md, etc are anti-gun) - so his kids can't go there either. He's a fireman in a ghetto kind of town (revives folks with narcan often, has been shot at on a call more than once) so that no doubt affects his mental state, so to speak.

REALITY- I've asked around and met ONE person that pulled their weapon. Nobody has yet to shoot one, let alone hit/kill a perp. I belong to a 1100 member gun club, run the cowboy shoots, am an officer in the pistol league, shoot rifle competitions and IDPA - so I run into a LOT of shooters. And cops even.

So odds are, especially if you plan a bit, EXTREMELY small you'll put yourself in a situation that you are at risk. (rule 1 is AVOID danger, right?) And say you are in a 7-11 or a bank or a mall and someone whips out a gun to rob it - are you going to intervene or hide behind the bread? If they pull a gun on you it's too late for you to draw in response. So while it's a great feeling to be armed, REALITY is it's not probably gonna do much good.

And yes, I read the NRA magazine page with the stories about folks that saved themselves and others with a gun. Most seem to be at home BTW. So move someplace safe is rule#1!

As far as feeling sorry for people that live in fear.
Actually at one level or another you describe most of humanity.

 

[prof fate]

Law is law..but ALL laws are open to interpretation.

"in fear for your life or physical harm" is in some way usually in castle doctrine. Also, 'deadly force' is a very well defined legal term. A gun is deadly force - just drawing your weapon is enough to be legally guilt of using deadly force.

SO - bump in the night, you pull your gun. It's a teenager or 2 that are in your house. You shoot and kill one, wound the other. So...it's like the cops "I thought he had a gun. I was afraid!"...

There's 'in the moment' and the 20/20 of hindsight and all the monday morning quarterbacks that say "well, it was the pastor's son and starting quarterback ..went into the wrong house by accident" or some such. They were unarmed. You're a large healthy male and home alone...vs an elderly widow with 3 young children in the house- it will be viewed very differently by the cops/DA/community. You KNOW it will.

Now if they are crack addicts with records, unarmed or not, you may be ok.

SO I guess you best put a kitchen knife in their hands after you shoot them! LOL

I see what happens to cops in the media, community, etc - and I can only imagine what a joe public would face for doing essentially the same thing.

 

[HEC]

Law is law..but ALL laws are open to interpretation.

"in fear for your life or physical harm" is in some way usually in castle doctrine. Also, 'deadly force' is a very well defined legal term. A gun is deadly force - just drawing your weapon is enough to be legally guilt of using deadly force.

SO - bump in the night, you pull your gun. It's a teenager or 2 that are in your house. You shoot and kill one, wound the other. So...it's like the cops "I thought he had a gun. I was afraid!"...

There's 'in the moment' and the 20/20 of hindsight and all the monday morning quarterbacks that say "well, it was the pastor's son and starting quarterback ..went into the wrong house by accident" or some such. They were unarmed. You're a large healthy male and home alone...vs an elderly widow with 3 young children in the house- it will be viewed very differently by the cops/DA/community. You KNOW it will.

Now if they are crack addicts with records, unarmed or not, you may be ok.

SO I guess you best put a kitchen knife in their hands after you shoot them! LOL

I see what happens to cops in the media, community, etc - and I can only imagine what a joe public would face for doing essentially the same thing.

You have hit the nail right on the head . I have had a permit for many years , and only use it when out walking in the woods due to the 4 legged creatures in my area .

 

[Alan W.]

Thank God KY has a well thought out Castle Doctrine. If you have to use deadly force there will be no criminal or civil problems.

https://docjt.ky.gov/legal/documents/RCT2014-2CastleDoctrine.ppt

 

[Sigarms]

Well, you must be charged, go to court and ruled by a judge as a justifiable .
If the DA reviews your case and decides not to prosecute due to the shooting being justified under the stand your ground law, or self defense law, You can still be sued civilly

I believe part of morrisL's feelings is even if you're justified under law to shoot someone in self defense, it's better to be used as an absolute last resort because you knew you're life was in immediate danger.

Never had someone break into my home but if someone did and for various reasons if I don't have to go to the threat, I wouldn't.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I live in a similar small area,, but, would love to carry as I have a CCW permit,,

could you supply a link to the holster?? :thumbsup:

There are several types of elastic belly band holsters available, just google "belly band holster" and you will get several hits like this one
Sportsman's Guide - Outdoor and Hunting Gear, Guns, Ammo & More!

They are made for single pistol with extra mag pouch all the way up to holding up to 4 pistols although I have no idea why any one would need 4 guns unless you are "Outlaw Jose Wales".

 

[Gary Fowler]

Walmart really does have to learn to pay it's employees better...

Any trip to a walmart is a good reason to carry IMO.

I have my CCW anytime I am in Walmart or any other store that I am shopping. If not attacked myself, I can at least be prepared to defend others should a wacko start shooting up the place.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Can you share where you got the holster? Thanks.

Here is one place to get one but not sure if it is where I got mine. There are so many to choose from, all similar but slightly different.

Sportsman's Guide - Outdoor and Hunting Gear, Guns, Ammo & More!

 

[Sigarms]

I have my CCW anytime I am in Walmart or any other store that I am shopping. If not attacked myself, I can at least be prepared to defend others should a wacko start shooting up the place.

I carry to protect myself and those loved ones that are directlyaround me. I do not carry to protect others. If others want to be protected, they should carry as well IMO.

This CC holder was looking to play cop and got himself killed for doing it.

 

[ovrszd]

I didn't see any "play" involved.