Replies

“My home defense plan includes a clean shot with no chance of errant rounds in neighbors’ houses.”

I appreciate and agree with your intent on never harming an innocent person. This goes for me too. However, in real life, there are so many possible situations where “no chance” means you or some other innocent person can/will likely die as you hold fire.

All the LEOs and Fed agents I have been acquainted with have a common and strong drive to do what is right in every situation. As we realize, people are fallible and sometimes make decision mistakes, tactical mistakes and physical motor skills errors while trying to do their best.

Civilian defenders of are no different in that should make reasonable effort to mitigate or minimize adverse outcomes in self defense events.

For example as a civilian defending life:

While at home, unless you live in a rural area where you have no neighbors, no neighbors’ houses, and no one ever passes by your house, there exists a “possibility” that an average round from a hand gun may errantly exit your home’s window or an open external door as an aggressor comes in. The possibility increases if the homeowner uses a rifle or shotgun slug.

When traveling, an errant round “possibility” can become greater due to being outside the walls of your home which can stop an errant round or at least slow it. For example stopping a carjacker who is intent on taking the car and leaving you dead. The angle of a shot missing the target by only an inch or two can yield a substantial amount variations in what is hit by the round.

I realize this is all very subjective. And that is my point.
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Some ideas to consider:

What type of round do you use?

Defense rounds are designed to increase the probability of expansion in the target while minimizing a the probability of a pass through that might hit a background innocent. For example, .45 ball can pass through 2 or 3 people’s chests before stopping. Some newer 9 mm defense rounds are designed to go through sheet metal (like a car door) and/or glass (like a windshield) without expanding until it enters a person’s body where it expands to cause the most damage/wounding with a benefit of reducing the probability of passing through to another person. A.22 cal. reduces the probability of an errant round doing damage and it is quieter; however, that small of round may not stop the aggressor at all in time.
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How long do you have to use deadly force?

Some teach that in self defense you only get 3 or 4 seconds to act. This includes the situational analysis, identifying the aggressor, firearm presentation and pulling the trigger. At home you may get more time as you hear the noises of a door opening or window breaking.
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Hearing? What did you say?

If you fire in a closed room or in a car, you will lose your ability to hear temporarily and can very likely have substantial permanent hearing loss. Multiple rounds and another persons rounds in the room increases this bad outcome. How do you mitigate against this in a tense high speed situation? I wish there was an easy answer.

At home, with the likelihood of additional time to take defensive measures, one can keep with their firearm a pair of quick donning shooter’s headsets to protect their hearing with a BIG benefit of sound amplification which allows one to hear the intruder’s/aggressor’s minor noises which the natural or older ear may not detect.

The legal use of a silenced firearm and subsonic ammunition can also mitigate the likelihood of hearing loss. Thought, a bad actor’s firearm is not likely to be as quiet.

Stopping a carjacker does not lend support to the same hearing conservation protection measures. Perhaps, if possible, pushing the handgun out of the vehicle before discharging can help minimize the hearing loss. Life is more important than hearing, so it is an easy choice between the two at the time of a self defense event.
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How close is too close for a person with a knife or a club?

You can research the Tueller Drill used by LEOs. Some law enforcement organizations require the ability to draw, present and fire 2 rounds effectively within 2 seconds. Why? In reality, someone with a knife who is closer than 21 feet (can be farther) can win in a knife/club verses holstered firearm fight. Somewhat subjective; however, one long time police trainer, Massod Ayoob, has watched even a person with a cast on one leg close a short distance and win before the innocent can unholster, present and fire. Faster aggressors can close distances faster. Note that Massod has stated he has legally concealed carried since age 12 due to his home state’s laws covering him working dad’s jewelry store (lots of time and experience).
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What do I do now after discharging a firearm in deadly force? Some suggestions only and not exhaustive:

First, after confirming no more aggressors or danger, call 911 to let the operator know you need an ambulance/EMTs and a police officer.

Second, call your lawyer or prepaid attorney services.

Third, call family or friends to let them know to care of things like picking up kids from school, feeding pets, picking up your car, securing your house etc. because there exists a high probability that you, who lawfully defended, will also go to jail until the police and DA make a decision.

Fourth, your lawyer will likely advise your to “Remain Silent” by telling the police officer you are exercising your right to remain silent. Your body’s adrenaline flow and tunnel vision is not conducive to giving accurate details at the time the police arrive. Wait until later. You do not want to be a witness against yourself.
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I know there is a lot out there to view, so here is a short video example of training/practicing and thinking out possible scenarios including the Tueller Drill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwHYRBNc9r8&feature=youtu.be

Massad Ayoob’s Shoot to live inteview series of short videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18rqeJ2ClyU

PS. I have heard about the “Girl with a Gun” clubs and think it is great.