[nsf003]

You are at your house with your favorite rifle. The magazine is loaded with your favorite anti bad guy rounds. You are about ready to put it in the car on the way to the range. You look to the road near your house and you see a police officer pull a car over. A few seconds later, the driver of the car pulls a gun and shoots at the police officer. The police officer runs behind his car for cover and the shooting continues. You can hit the guy in the car with the rifle. What rifle would you choose and would you intervene.

This is not meant to be a this rifle vs. that rifle thread, only a personal preference. No whining allowed:neener:

nsf003

[Mike Irwin]

I'd take the shot without hesitation if I could do so without endangering other people.

An antelope hunter did this somewhere out west years ago. I remember reading it in American Rifleman's Armed Citizen.

He saw the bad guy get the cop's gun, and as the BG looked as if was going to kill the cop, the hunter dropped him from several hundred yards away with a perfect melon shot.

[cool45auto]

SKS, and I hope the cop recognizes friendly fire!:D

[Jim Watson]

The case in Texas involved a 6mm as I recall. I don't remember whether the highway patrolman lived over it. The crook didn't.
They never published the name of "The Hunter" to avoid reprisals from the crook's associates, but there was a picture in the Rifleman later of the engraved 1911 the DPS presented to him privately.

Like you said, your *favorite* rifle. Everybody's is different, it's the one you can make the shot with. Mine would have to be the .22-250 77V in the next room.

[JohnKSa]

Another similar incident in TX (perhaps the same one) resulted in the shooter being cited for discharging a firearm across a public road. As I recall, the fine was actually paid by the officer or an officer's association.

[WilderBill]

Your choice would be whatever you had within reach, as I doubt the BG is gonna wait around while you go get your first choice.
If you weren't sure you could hit your target, it might be better not to escalate the situation and risk being taken to be a sniper aiding the BG.

[Andrew Wyatt]

that'd probably be my enfield.

I'd intervene if i could do so without hitting anyone not bad.

[John G]

Yep, Lee-Enfield here too. It'd be interesting to see if the medical examiner/ballistics techs could ID the caliber.

(hey! my 100th post!:cool: )

[Andrew Wyatt]

they'd probably be wondering why there was cork in the wound. :)

[Powderman]

My dream rifle:

M1A Peerless package from Fulton Armory, with 8-32x56 NightForce.

What would I make the shot with NOW:

Winchester Laredo, .300 Win Mag, with Simmons 8-32x44 scope;
175 gr. Sierra MatchKing
71.0 IMR 4831
New Winchester cases
Federal LR Match Primers
Ctg Oal: 3.510 inches.

Way, way sub-moa at 200 yards.

[nsf003]

Good responses so far. :)

Mine would be now: Remington 710 in 30-06 Sprg.

Mine could be in a few weeks: AR-15 Carbine with scope


nsf003

[Kobun]

I'd pick my AUG with 2-8x42 scope set at 2-3x for 100yards or less, and 5x up to 200 yards. I can take out dangerous clay pigeons at 500 yards with it. :D

Having too much magnification will actually be a huge disadvantage. Sure, if the BG stays perfectly still...
But, if he moves, and the range is fairly short (less than 200 yards) you will have trouble even finding him if there is too much magnification.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=43854

[foghornl]

Given that conditions are favorable...no good guys in the way, adequate backstop, etc...

for up to 100 yds...the Marlin .30-30
longer than that....US Rifle Cal 30 M-1 [AKA The Garand]

[DAL]

My first instinct would be to help the officer. It's funny, though, that this question has to be asked, although in our litigious society I can understand the concern. You just never know how a zealous DA with political aspirations might act.

The rifle I might use could be any one of several, depending on my whim that day. It might very well be my trusty ol' Winchester Model 670 .30-06 (which I need to practice with more anyway, with hunting season only 6 months away), or it could be my new Marlin 1894C .357 Mag., or maybe it would just be my old Winchester Model 290 .22.

Back in the late '70s, IIRC, there was a hunter here in Colorado who witnessed a criminal shoot an LEO during a traffic stop on some highway. The hunter promptly shot the assailant; I think he died. Unfortunately, I can't remember how the officer fared.
DAL

[e007dw]

Bad guy down...

I wouldn't hesitate to take the shot if it was safe to innocents. My Remington .270 Sendero, nicknamed "Saddam", would see to it. I live in Minneapolis (sometimes referred to as "murderapolis") and we've had too many police officers killed around here in recent years. If I was witness to the scenario described, I would feel compelled to take action. I have no desire to shoot anyone but I would have a hard time living with myself knowing I could have done something to help - but didn't. It would be a very tough decision to make and one that could come with legal recourse.

----------------
Semper Fi

[nsf003]

Kobun,

A Steyr AUG? Sweet:cool: What did you have to tell the government of Norway to let you get that?

nsf

[Chipperman]

He said, "I'm gonna buy this rifle."
They didn't say anything, because they weren't listening. :cool:

[Art Eatman]

I'd shoot the bad guy with whatever's handy. Not endangering others with this "do-good" is part of that old "It goes without saying..." thing: Don't be stupid and eager.

The west Texas deal, some 20 years back, was (as I recall) on I-20, west of Abilene. A father/son pair were on their way home from deer-hunting (could have been antelope; no le hace). The father saw the bad guy shoot the DPS officer via his rear-view mirror. From about 200 yards, he used his .243 on the bad guy.

Everything went just as it should have for the Good Guys, just as if we're in a rational world.

Art

[Shaginator]

Would be the rifle I happened to have for the range at the time, a pistol even. I've been taking the .30-06 out lately, so odds are it'll be that. Oughta be enough to stop the baddie.

If I was unfortunate enough to not have a gun handy... I'd get in my truck and run him over. Maybe aim it and then get down so I don't get shot... Conditions would need to merit me thinking "yes, I have a good chance of running him over." For example, if he was facing the officer with his back to me, paying more attention to him, and myself not being in the line of the officer's return fire, etc...

Ideally, but not likely, I'd also be able to come up with some witty retort after running him over, like "Well, that squashed his plans." or something like that. :D

[mephisto]

303 no4 mk2. nuff said!
:cuss:

[Devonai]

Hi Chipperman, it's always nice to meet another firearms enthusiast in Essex County!

Favorite rifle? Okay, then. As long as I had a safe field of fire, this guy would get eight rounds from my Garand until he stopped moving, or which ever occured first. Reload if necessary.

[thumbtack]

I would use either my Rem 700 in 30.06 or my Colt HBAR.

[Preacherman]

Reminds me of a case in Namibia during the run-up to elections in the late 1980's. A cop was driving along on routine patrol and was shot at by a local hoodlum who didn't want him around. The cop jumped out of his car and took shelter behind the engine block, while the BG did the same on the other side of the road. A friendly neighbor nailed the BG and saved the cop. However, the "friendly neighbor" in this case was a farmer who was a member of the local "commando", or regional defence unit, who had his military equipment at home. His choice of weapon? An RPG-7 with antitank rocket! Sure did take care of the problem... except for the coroner, who complained bitterly about having to climb trees to remove bits of the BG from where the vultures and other scavengers were busily cleaning them up for him.

[nsf003]

An RPG-7:what: :what: :what: :cool:

Sounds like it did the job.

nsf

[Peetmoss]

You have got to be joking Preacherman, arn't you? :what: If that really did happen wow talk about one shot stopping power:D

[Mannlicher]

My trunk rifle right now is an Armalite AR180B. At a range of 100 yards, I would not hesitate to take the shot.

[seeker_two]

His choice of weapon? An RPG-7 with antitank rocket!

Some people take Marshall & Sanow TOO seriously...:what:

My only centerfire rifle (for now...:evil: ) is a SMLE #1 Mk.III* sporterized w/ scope. Accurate enough to keep deer & hog nervous out to 300 yds. (as long as they don't know I'M the one shooting..;) )

Yes. I would shoot the BG. And I would try to hit him in the pelvic region/gut so the bullet would be less likely to penetrate pass the car.

[goon]

In central PA, I would take the shot and probably do OK in court.
In Texas, I would take the shot and probably end up the next governor.
In NJ, Mass., or CA, I would get my camcorder, sell the tape of the cop getting dusted to the media, and retire.
No, I wouldn't want to see a cop get shot just for doing his job, but in one of those states, I wouldn't interfere. I would end up in prison if I did.

The rifle?
Hopefully my M-39.
It is the finest rifle that I have.

[Okiecruffler]

At 100yrds or under, same thing I used to control the coyotes at the old place, my bubbafied sks with a red dot and wolf hp ammo. Past that range, and it would have to be my Yugo mauser. Either way, I'd go for a leg shot so it would just bring the bad guy out where the policeman could actually take the kill shot. It's only fair, he saw him first.

[benEzra]

You are at your house with your favorite rifle. The magazine is loaded with your favorite anti bad guy rounds. You are about ready to put it in the car on the way to the range. You look to the road near your house and you see a police officer pull a car over. A few seconds later, the driver of the car pulls a gun and shoots at the police officer. The police officer runs behind his car for cover and the shooting continues. You can hit the guy in the car with the rifle. What rifle would you choose and would you intervene.
Well, since the mini-14 is my designated "Range Safety Gun," it'd be the only one that I could get going quickly enough to matter.

As to whether I'd intervene if a police officer were being shot at and looked to be in danger--probably, if I could do so safely and would not be mistaken for a second BG, unless the officer looked like he had the situation well in hand. If the BG just fired a few shots and jumped back in his car to flee, I'd get a description and let him go, then make sure the officer's OK.

[4Truck]

In a 100 yard situation, it would be the Bushy carbine with red dot.

For 200 yards or more, it would be the Browning A-Bolt 300WSM

[RCL]

Yep, take the shot. The two long guns I would most likely have at the moment would be either my 30-30 Marlin or my 12ga. 870 loaded with slugs.

[hondo68]

Deleted on account of THR policy.

Art

[John G]

:eek: hondo68, Please tell me you're joking.

[ShaiVong]

:uhoh:

[seeker_two]

I'd help stop this crime with some drive by cowboy action shooting with a BHP .40.

And in which drug-induced fever dream did you see John Wayne shootin' Injuns w/ a BROWNING AUTOMATIC?!?!....:what:

(Edited for relevance on account of my editing above. :) ) Art

Thanks for the edit, Art....:cool:

(Edited in regard to the edit Art made in regard to the edit Art made to the post in which this was a reply to---now say THAT three times fast...:D )

[Chris Rhines]

Do I even need to say it?

- Chris

[Johnny Guest]

Regarding the West Texas incident mentioned above - - - Just as Art wrote: "Everything went just as it should have for the Good Guys, just as if we're in a rational world."

I was a DA's Investigator back when it happened. At a meeting afterward, I was at a table with the District Attorney from that county. Way he told it, the decision was made early on to protect the identity of "The Deer Hunter" (as he was called in the area.) One of the big networks sent their stringer from Dallas or Fort Worth out to do the "in-depth follow up." He asked about the hunter's name and address. Getting no cooperation from the dead trooper's supervisors, the reporter checked with the Sheriff's Office, the DA, Medical Examiner, and the local media. All either refused to talk, or said, "Hey, we don't know, and don't NEED to know." THIS reporter, a home-grown lad, said, "Good enough, thanks," and went home.

When the network got the abbreviated story, sans interview, they got upset, (fired the stringer??) and flew someone out from New York. THIS worthy went through much the same routine, and ended up in the DA's office. Exchange went something like:
TV Tool: All the cops are being uncooperative. They tell me YOU'RE handling the information.
DA: Yes, sir?
TVT: I need to interview the deer hunter and nobody will tell me his name.
DA: Did you get the news release with all the details, but saying we're protecting his identity?
TVT: Yeah, but I have a right to talk to him. The people have a NEED TO KNOW!
DA: No, sir, that's not correct. You have the right to ask. We have the right to protect him. You have everything except the name and address. I declined to charge him. The grand jury no-billed and commended him. He did right and doesn't need to suffer for it.
TVT: **sputter** You can't do this! I'll bust this town wide open! I'll expose you! I'll **bluster, threaten**
DA: Okay, you do what you need to do. Hang out and run up your expense account. The community can use your money. Uh, you want to drive real careful, though, and don't shake your finger in anybody's face, please.

The following day, four traffic tickets, and six "investigative stops" later, TVT flew back to NYC. The Texas DPS Officers Association later presented a nickel plated Colt .45, suitably engraved, "to The Deer Hunter . . . ." I later saw it at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. So far as I know, the hunter's name has never appeared in print or been broadcast.

Oh, yeah, I'd take the shot. Whatever was handy, at that range. I'd have to get a deer rifle out of the safe, but there's a good M1 Carbine stashed by my wife's computer desk. If closer to my car, probably my AR15.

Best,
Johnny

[SodaPop]

I guess I'm confessing to being paranoid, but I never leave the range without ammo for whatever semi-auto rifle I've been shooting.

[Powderman]

Hey, SodaPop:

Whenever I go to the range with my AR, before I leave, I give it a cursory cleaning to ensure that it's in working order.

Then, I lock one 28 round magazine of Federal Premium 223, with Sierra 52 grain MatchKings. These are Department issue. Chamber is empty.

See, you're not so paranoid after all!

[goon]

I never leave the range without ammo either, no matter what gun I am shooting.

[Byron Quick]

Yeah,

I'd take the shot. I know most of the troopers in eastern central Georgia and west central South Carolina at least on a nodding acquaintance basis. Good men all. I'd protect a stranger the same way. I'd certainly protect people I know.

Oh, Johnny? I'd never heard that story before. If you are ever up that way and run into someone who knows the "deer hunter's" identity...please convey my heartfelt admiration for both taking the shot and making the shot...talk about pressure!

Oh, yes, for the folks who expressed concern about DA's reactions in some of the peoples' republics...if you are from out of state, traveling through Georgia, and see this scenario...go for it. If you make the shot, you'll be feted. Might be some problem in areas of downtown Atlanta...for awhile...and they would cave quickly to statewide reaction to their idiocy.

[Shalako]

Under 50 yards: My ex-full choked turkey gun with 3" mag 4s. Head shot.

Over 50 yards: Something else.

[Handy]

I would be inclined to use whatever looked like a hunting rifle, rather than a military arm, if there was a choice. That gives the cop less to wonder about.

Anything .22 Hornet or better should be lethal with a clear shot.

[TechBrute]

The rifle I'd choose would be the one in my hands. Depending on the distance I'd probably take the shot. My rifles are all precision or tactical bolt guns (except one AR15.)