[P95Carry]

Ok .... Leo's ... here's another call for input. Further to my thread on your thoughts toward us CCW's
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23602&perpage=10&pagenumber=1 ..... this has occurred to me .........

I stated and would stand by, the declaration that if i was present in a situation where one or more of you guys was in difficulty ...... outnumbered, out of ammo, whatever ... i would willingly risk my life to assist..... same as I would anyone who was ''in extremis''.

That said ...... it occurs to me that this could be actually very dangerous, in as much as ....... how come i wouldn't be taken for a BG and also get shot at by you.?? Would a brief verbal exchange suffice? Putting myself in your situation perhaps .. i could be more than alarmed at hearing ''extra'' shots from somewhere .... and not knowing initially whether friendly or hostile.

Strikes me as a tricky one ... more I think on it................................

[Steve in PA]

If I, or another LEO is is a wrestling match with someone.....I would gladly accept your help..........

Now.......if its gunfire.........well, thats where it gets sticky. Any back up units arriving will have no idea who or what you are....and I may not have any idead who or what you are. I know alot of people (ok, maybe not alot).........some people would want to assist the LEO........but I would not recommend it unless the LEO is about to be terminated with extreme prejudice.

[gryphon]

I'd think that if the LEO was out of ammo and the BG's are closing on the LEO's position, you could give him your gun, or fire from qa supporting position that he cannot mistake you as anything else then backup.

If it looks like the LEO is doing OK or the BG's are bugging out, then I would let the officer do what he is trained to do.

If backup shows an they see you firing in the direction of the BG's, they will probably disarm you, and go after the BG's at the same time. In that case, I'd just do what they say and everything should come out OK in the end.

Another option, if you see the backup coming up on your position, take cover and drop your weapon, so they don't perceive you as a threat anymore. that should give them a good piece of mind.

[jato]

I think about this as well. Off duty LEOs also have to consider this question as well. If we are off duty and wind up assisting in a gunfight... or on duty being assisted by an off duty LEO.

I would consider grabbing cover from the bad guy & cover from the officer (if possible) and shoot from there. Of course, I would try and communicate with the officer before, during and after the shooting (yeah right, not likely).

Overall, I think it would be very dangerous for anyone not wearing a uniform... a serious gamble.

[P95Carry]

Overall, I think it would be very dangerous for anyone not wearing a uniform... a serious gamble. More I think on this jato, the more I would have to agree.

Problem is .... if on the scene when a good guy (cop or otherwise) is lookin a lot like getting popped then ...... sure would be hard not to want to get some extra pressure on the BG or BG's.

Turning the tables ..... I can imagine just how grateful i could be if about to get my terminal moment.

As ever I guess .... every situation on its own merits.

[Coronach]

Just too many variables to give a definitive answer. And this is something cops think about every day.

We run into undercover/off duty cops.

We are off duty 16 out of every 24 hours (usually).

This sorta thing comes up, even if you ignore the non-LEO CCW angle.

I think the main, overwhelmingly important issue is this: If your are assisting a LEO in a shots-fired situation and someone in a uniform points a gun at you, DO WHAT THEY SAY, IMMEDIATELY, AND WITHOUT QUESTION. This is exactly the same advice that is given to LEOs for plainsclothes encounters. Goose, gander.

Mike