Posted on 06/18/2011 5:36:34 AM PDT by Jerrybob
This is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking articles I have read in a very long time.
http://uscca.us/ccr/view_post.php?postId=381
If you were eating in a fairly busy restaurant, and a gunman came in, grabbed a woman and shot her (probably his wife), would it be legit for you to take him out? Since he had not bothered you or even looked at you, would it be legal or grandstanding?
Generally yes, but it would depend on whether he was still a threat to you or anyone else at the time you you shot him. Don’t forget, he just shot someone which is pretty good evidence he’s a threat. I can’t think of a locale where you can’t defend others.
If he dropped the weapon,then it’s a no shoot.
If he still has the weapon at the ready,do your best to take him out.
I think you could consider him a threat. If he’s killed one, I think its reasonable to assume he’ll kill others.
LLS
Read the article.
I highly recommend you buy and read “In the Gravest Extreme” by Massad F. Ayoob. He will answer most all of your questions.
if Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp had, had her weapon in Lubys...and had put down the miscreant after the first shot...she would not have been made an orphan and 23 or so people might have lived through it....
I guess if you missed the target, then the threat is not direct. No?
Why is it your business?
The fact you have a gun is irrelevant. You are merely a bystander
I’m sure not gonna risk letting him get the drop on me. How long do you think it will take for him to turn around, look at you and blow your butt away? I will be ready, after he is looking down the barrel at you it’s too late to draw.
The question took longer to pose (and thus allowed us a LOT of time to think) than what is required for an answer.
If I'm eating, I'm not in defense mode other than the subliminal knowledge/awareness that I am armed and (let's hope) a mature carrier.
Was there a commotion leading up to the gunshot?
I had time to think and assess.
If a shot just rank out and I (correctly) determined the location, did I see a crazed gunman or just some people scurrying from (a slumping?) body?
There's too much going on for any of us to answer that from any legal standpoit.
If it's a question or moral and/or eight/wrong .. I personally would shoot to kill because a shot just occured which indicates intent to kill (by the perp) and I am in a position to stop a killer.
judged by 12 or carried by six.
I'll take the 12
my two cent's worth.
New Jersey. Because if you are carrying here you are 95% probable to be in violation already. It is a may issue state, but good luck getting a permit.
These days you have to consider other stuff. How do you know he's not wearing a suicide vest? Kill him before he blows and takes 20 more with him.
Depends on the venue and any not-to-be-spoken-of factors about the perp. Can you say "hate crime"? I knew you could! < /sarc >
I wish I could find a white keyboard with black letters ... these black things have bothered my eyes since day one.
When intervening in the protection of another, there is always the possibility of misreading a situation.
Nothing but judgment can determine whether or not to act, but you do have the right to act.
The question of whether you SHOULD act is another matter.
It is your responsibility to get you and your loved ones to safety first
There has to be a reasonable belief that the person is about to assert deadly force. The laws vary from state to state, but all are pretty easy to look up.
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