Wisdom on gun purchase please?

Ozarker · Jun 23, 2004

( Morally...do you really want to kill someone? I don't...but if it's a matter that the gun has to come out for self defense, I am going to shoot to kill.)

You should remove the phrase "shoot to kill" from your vocabulary. It shows intent and will get you in serious trouble in a court room.

The right to self defense is the right to use the force necessary to stop an attack that you reasonable believe could cause death or grievous bodily harm. It is not a right to kill.

Your intent must be to stop the attack......not to kill. If he happens to die as a result of your lawful effort to stop the attack, that is called a justifiable homicide. If your intent was to kill, it won't be justified and you will be charged with murder.

johnday · Jun 23, 2004

Roy; I was going to bail out of this thread, but I had to get back on because of what you said about firing a full mag. Please go back and reread my post that explained/admitted that was not a good thing to do, and I merely stated that I myself was capable of emptying my gun and reload it quickly because of my training and the many hours of practice. I would hope that a double tap with the accuracy I am capable of would stop an assailant. Again, it all goes back to practicing more than once a year, a bunch of bucks on ammunition, and the self-control/discipline it takes to be a responsible person. I had fits with some of the other posters already about this, but I think we hashed it out friendly like after I explained what I was trying to bring across before. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RoyJackson · Jun 23, 2004

"You should remove the phrase "shoot to kill" from your vocabulary. "

No...if you shoot to wound...purposely, you may not stop your assailant. Even shooting to kill will probably only wound.
But, if I got to pull the gun...and I have no choice but to shoot....it's not going to be just to wound the bad guy.

Ozarker · Jun 23, 2004

You seem to be missing the point. You don't shoot to kill and you don't shoot to wound. Those are fantasies created by Hollywood. You shoot to stop. THAT is your intent......to stop......period. It isn't about what you do. It is about what you say you do. Saying the wrong thing can mean the difference between walking away or a murder indictment.

Now here is how that is done........."double tap to the chest" (two rounds center mass)........... If he doesn't immediately stop and fall to the ground, assume he is wearing body armor and put one round in the head.

If he doesn't stop the assault, continue firing until he does.

Egon · Jun 23, 2004

Double taps?? Sounds like there's only two kegs on hand.

What happens if the perp double taps first ? Does that mean the kegs dry?

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

JimR · Jun 23, 2004

In Ma. you have the right to defend yourself if you are in your home and an intruder breaks in. Years ago there was a law that stated you were to retreat from your residence if broken into by a crook. That law got thrown out real quick with the next Governor that took office. Ma. has its share of crimes and I hope to never be one of the victims if I can help it. I will do whatever it takes or is necessary to prevent that from happening to myself or my family.

LarryRB · Jun 23, 2004

I'm not going to add a whole lot here.. Just remember, when you fire a bullet, you also own it.. I wouldn't want to "kill".. I have no problem wounding a thief or someone breaking in and going after the women/kids or whatever.. In my way of thinking, I want that SOB to remember each and every day from that point on.. And, you know what? Not to brag, however, I'm talking from experience being shot not once, not twice, but three times with large calibers in the legs.. At least that was from a war zone and no, I wasn't breaking in or going after anyone.. Once wounded, you'll nver forget neither will the area (s) the rounds went through..

MossRoad · Jun 23, 2004

I think we hashed it out friendly like after I explained what I was trying to bring across before. 

Me, too. Nice job TBNers. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bird · Jun 23, 2004

( Now here is how that is done........."double tap to the chest" (two rounds center mass)........... If he doesn't immediately stop and fall to the ground, assume he is wearing body armor and put one round in the head. )

There was a time when that was part of our training and practice, but it was 3 round bursts; no waiting to see whether the first two did the job; just quickly fire 2 to the chest and 1 to the head.

Ozarker · Jun 23, 2004

Yes, police training is for two to the chest and one to the head. But police have special legal protections that civilians do not have. A civilian is more likely to be charged or sued for that head shot so it better be necessary.