This is the greatest question regarding CCW in all the world.
“What will happen to me after I shoot and kill someone...?”
I have taken several CCW classes from three different instructors.
My first class was taught by an ex-Chicago Cop who was involved in 3 shootings in 7 years on the job. His wife told him...NO MORE BEING A COP. So, he became a defense lawyer.
My other two instructors were ex FBI and ex police.
All three of them made it very clear about what will happen to you after you shoot that firearm and kill your target.
FIRST:
YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL. For at least one night, probably more until the shooting details are cleared. Your life will never be the same.
SECOND:
Do not say anything to the police other than, “I was in fear for my life”, or similar statement that that you were acting in self defense or protecting the life of another person. That’s all. Do NOT talk about the incident any further. NOTHING until you have your lawyer present. The police are NOT your friends at this point.
Also, my classes made it very, very clear that you could not use a handgun to protect yourself from fists, knives or other lesser forms of assault, unless you were in fear for your life. You can’t brandish a weapon.
Finally, the most successful action when faced with the possibility of having to kill someone was to GET OUT, GET AWAY from the situation in any way you can. The DA lawyers will plague you with questions about why you didn’t leave the area instead of shooting.
I still haven’t applied for CCW, partly from laziness and partly from uncertainty about putting myself into such a position. Situational awareness goes a long way to prevent yourself from being in a bad place too...
I don’t have one because my job won’t allow me to have one on a military base and I figure, it’s just one less database to be in. VA is open-carry, but I’m hoping they will get on the concealed carry with no license bandwagon.
A very important point. I would modify the statement to "I was in fear for my life. I wish my attorney present before speaking further". See video by lawyer: don't talk to police.
In any situation where you had to draw on a thug and they run, it's good to call 911 and report that you were attacked. One tactic by thugs is to call 911 and claim "this crazy woman drew a gun on us". Whoever makes the call controls the narrative.
“Finally, the most successful action when faced with the possibility of having to kill someone was to GET OUT, GET AWAY from the situation in any way you can. The DA lawyers will plague you with questions about why you didn’t leave the area instead of shooting.”
I’m pretty sure the new Pennsylvania “Castle Doctrine” law negates this.There is a also a provision in the law to prevent the family of the deceased to take you to court in a civil suit .