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finboy · Feb 20, 2009, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

Cops aren't really the best examples. I've been to the range with the officers in this area, and there's only one who has an even chance of beating me on any given day. But even so, they're all better than you described.

Shooting to disable is sometimes an option, but you have to plan to kill. Shoot for the center of mass without clear opportunity to do otherwise. I always instruct gun newbies to meditate on killing someone if they draw their gun. No intimidation, no firing in the air or waving it around. Point and pull the trigger. For carjackers, point and empty it into their face from 2 feet -- it's the only way to be sure.

In the situation described in the OP, I would put distance between myself and the person in question until I figured out what was going on. I would not let them know I had a gun until they closed some distance (which sounds risky). But surprise is always an advantage, and you have to rely on your training versus theirs. If they have to close with a knife, that comes to your advantage too.

For those of you reading this thinking "who plans for this stuff," be glad that some of us do. Most of the time the folks thinking about this are the ones who've had to deal with these types of situations in the past. As one popular writer has put it, there are sheep, sheepdogs and wolves. Without the one in between, there wouldn't be enough of the first to matter.

Powerbook · Feb 22, 2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by finboy

For those of you reading this thinking "who plans for this stuff," be glad that some of us do. Most of the time the folks thinking about this are the ones who've had to deal with these types of situations in the past. As one popular writer has put it, there are sheep, sheepdogs and wolves. Without the one in between, there wouldn't be enough of the first to matter.

You must have lead a horrifying life... are you sure you live in a First World Country? That's really some sort of "philosophy". Ah, but how do people say, "if the hammer is big enough, everything looks like a nail"?

PB.

Gankdawg · Feb 22, 2009, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Powerbook

You must have lead a horrifying life... are you sure you live in a First World Country? That's really some sort of "philosophy". Ah, but how do people say, "if the hammer is big enough, everything looks like a nail"?

PB.

Sounds like your "philosophy" is to relinquish your own safety and bigger yet, your dignity when faced with evil.

Powerbook · Feb 22, 2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Gankdawg

Sounds like your "philosophy" is to relinquish your own safety and bigger yet, your dignity when faced with evil.

Actually my countries' philosophy is to educate and provide for its people so that a society with a certain common sense, security and standard of living exists. So no need to take any gun precautions against the eeevil or the Iraqi atomic weapons or whatever.

But proud Amaracan's usually think that Europe is about communism / socialism, so...

PB.

Gankdawg · Feb 22, 2009, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Powerbook

Actually my countries' philosophy is to educate and provide for its people so that a society with a certain common sense, security and standard of living exists. So no need to take any gun precautions against the eeevil or the Iraqi atomic weapons or whatever.

But proud Amaracan's usually think that Europe is about communism / socialism, so...

Our country teaches that exact same thing. Unfortunately, there are some who don't get the message.

This proud American isn't talking about communism/socialism/etc, I'm talking about personal defense and safety of myself and my family and my rights to own and carry guns.

I have absolutely no desire to EVER have to pull my gun out, much less shoot anyone, but I do believe in preparedness.

Gankdawg · Feb 22, 2009, 12:28 PM

Very long read about dignity:

http://rkba.org/comment/cowards.txt

SSharon · Feb 23, 2009, 11:43 AM

It has already been mentioned here, but as we just relearned criminal law last week in class I'll repeat it anyway.

In many states you have a legal obligation to flee if it is possible to do so. It typically is not possible to flee from a gun, but most other times it is and this example is clearly one of those times.

I am surprised that given the facts so many people suggest shooting to kill. I'm pretty confident that we have all seen someone running crazy at some times in our lives, but I doubt many of us have seen someone running crazy that actually was life threatening.

(I only shoot for recreation, I don't own a gun)