Draw your weapon to fire or to scare away?

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Magic_Man

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After reading the thread with stories of people who have had to draw or "brandish" their weapon to prevent something bad, that was surely about to happen, from going down, I'm curious to know just how many CCW folks will only draw or show their sidearm if it's to the point where you need to fire etc or draw/show to make the threat walk/run away.

Thankfully, I have not had to do either, and hopefully never will, but I'm still interested in getting the opinions of everyone. :)

Maybe "scare" is the wrong word. Let me quote 1 of the stories to make my point more clear.

About five years ago I was visiting friends with the now ex. Warm climate state that may not allow concealed carry. Anyway, at the time I carried a Beretta Tomacat 32 auto, inside the front waistband in a small clip type holster. Set up worked well in the hot climate with light clothing. One night the ex and I decided to walk to the corner store that was about half a mile down the road. The friends lived in a subdivision near a fairly well travelled road and the store was on that road.

We made it OK, then as we walked out of the store, a pickup with a bunch of late teenish males pulled into the parking lot and jumped out. We crossed an intersection and were walking down the sidewalk on the side of that main road when I looked back and noticed that the teens did not go into the store but rather two were trailing us about 40 yards back and the other two had crossed the road and were opposite us, walking fast to pass us. When they got about 50 yards ahead, they crossed and we were in between the two pairs. The ones in front slowing down while the two behind picked up the pace.

Without a word I handed my big gulp to the ex, half discretely pulled the .32 out and chambered a round, keeping the pistol low and in front of me. One of the fellows in front happenend to see this and the two groups quickly dispersed.
 
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I'm licensed to carry a concealed weapon, not to brandish a weapon.

I'll only draw in immediate defense of human life.

Most of the time you can talk your way out of a bad situation if you really try to.
 
I would only draw my weapon if I believed that the situation warranted using it at that point. If it were to scare them away and I didn't have to shoot, that would be a bonus.
 
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Brandishing in AZ for the express purpose of self defense is now legally protected here. It has been known to stop many issues. Will it always? Hardly, many criminals have themselves been shot already, and really are NOT impressed. Never ever draw your sidearm with the purpose of intimidation only, you must be prepared to use the deadly force you have just flaunted. If not, they will sense it, and remove that option by either removing your sidearm or removing your life.
 
Yet, a lot of states see drawing a weapon as an issue. Whatever the law says, I follow the rules taught me long ago by my father about guns, if you need to point it at something, you better need to shoot it.
 
Bang.

The line between the quick and the dead

Is marvelously short and uneven.

isher
 
If I'm drawing my pistol, the only way I will not fire is if the assailant's aggression, for whatever reason (perhaps learning of the possible repercussions), has begun to de-escalate to a level where lethal force is no longer justified. If there is time to warn, there is time to retreat. If there’s no time to retreat, there is no time to warn.

Here’s an example: A street thug/bum/whatever has decided I wronged him in some twisted fashion concocted in his mind booze-soaked noodle for refusing to acknowledge him after he asks me to “spare a dollar”. He feels a few jabs with a blade is a good solution, maybe landing him 3 hots and a cot besides making for a great cathartic release. He rapidly closes the gap between the two of us and being wise to the movement/blade/intention, I begin to draw. If he sees this for what it is and begins to back off, I would not fire.

However, my CCW pistol is one that I’ve owned and carried for about a decade in the same type of holster, amounting to plenty of draw/fire practice.
Because of this, I question if he would be able to noticeably change his intentions in the time it takes for me to draw and fire.

Regardless, if I’m forced to draw my pistol, it is because I either intend (or intended ) to fire. My “warning” comes as my attempt to retreat.
If I draw and do not fire, lucky him.
 
DO NOT DRAW UNLESS YOU NEED NEED NEED TO FIRE. No attempts to scare off, no more yelling, no more retreating, no more warnings. The next thing that person should hear is 'bang'.

That said, if you draw and the need to fire very quickly decides it would greatly benefit everyone involved if you don't, the CCW has done its job just as well (even better!) than if you did. Not getting a ride under flashing lights should only be the result of his choice deity taking pity, because he shouldn't have time to change his mind.
 
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One word anyone who gets a CCL or who anyone who carries for protection should learn and understand is the word "brandishing".

It's definition: Don't do it!

Brandishing in AZ for the express purpose of self defense is now legally protected here.
I don't think that is exactly correct, see link.....

http://arizonaccwpermit.com/2009/07...efensive-display-of-a-firearm/comment-page-1/
1. Verbally informing another person that the person possesses or has available a firearm.

2. Exposing or displaying a firearm in a manner that a reasonable person would understand was meant to protect the person against another's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force or deadly physical force.

3. Placing the person's hand on a firearm while the firearm is contained in a pocket, purse or other means of containment or transport.

Some States (Arizona recently) do allow for "defensive display" but that's another term that you need to really understand ahead of time and not make assumptions about. It's my understanding that even if your State allows for defensive display that does not grant you the right to draw your gun just because you feel threatened. Basically what it means you can reveal that you are carrying a firearm and even place your hand on it but it must remain holstered and non-threatening. Of course I'm no lawyer so don't take my word for it.
 
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It [brandishing] has been known to stop many issues. Will it always? Hardly, many criminals have themselves been shot already, and really are NOT impressed. Never ever draw your sidearm with the purpose of intimidation only, you must be prepared to use the deadly force you have just flaunted. If not, they will sense it, and remove that option by either removing your sidearm or removing your life.

Exactly.

I would only draw my weapon if I believed that the situation warranted using it at that point. If it were to scare them away and I didn't have to shoot, that would be a bonus.

Thankfully how it worked in all of my instances of having had to draw. But every time I drew I felt that my life was in danger and I needed to shoot. It's amazing how quickly the situation can change, or I'm a really slow draw. Either way I'm very thankful that I've never had to fire on another human being.
 
"Draw your weapon to fire or to scare away?"
Yes, and no. It all depends on too many 'what ifs' to actually give a solid answer. Shooting isn't mandatory, but if you find yourself drawing and not shooting then you to need evaluate if they would have been justified and 'good shoots'.
 
Scare ? Do you think you can scare someone who's high on drugs, alchohol, and a psychopath ?
If you draw your gun better be able to justify it and notify police immediately ! You don't want the BG to be the first to call police and say 'that crazy guy pulled a gun and threatened me'.
 
If I'm drawing my pistol, the only way I will not fire is if the assailant's aggression, for whatever reason (perhaps learning of the possible repercussions), has begun to de-escalate to a level where lethal force is no longer justified. If there is time to warn, there is time to retreat. If there’s no time to retreat, there is no time to warn.

Here’s an example: A street thug/bum/whatever has decided I wronged him in some twisted fashion concocted in his mind booze-soaked noodle for refusing to acknowledge him after he asks me to “spare a dollar”. He feels a few jabs with a blade is a good solution, maybe landing him 3 hots and a cot besides making for a great cathartic release. He rapidly closes the gap between the two of us and being wise to the movement/blade/intention, I begin to draw. If he sees this for what it is and begins to back off, I would not fire.

However, my CCW pistol is one that I’ve owned and carried for about a decade in the same type of holster, amounting to plenty of draw/fire practice.
Because of this, I question if he would be able to noticeably change his intentions in the time it takes for me to draw and fire.

Regardless, if I’m forced to draw my pistol, it is because I either intend (or intended ) to fire. My “warning” comes as my attempt to retreat.
If I draw and do not fire, lucky him.

Well said Snowdog. I agree 100%
 
I've been shot at and fired back in self defense and I've drawn on an attacker and had them back down. I am not looking to take another person's life and I will avoid it if I can. Sorry, but all of this "If I draw I will always fire" stuff that is so rampant on the internet just sounds like a bunch of chest thumping B.S. to me. Do situations arise when you have to draw and fire immediately? Absolutely. I fully believe that when you draw you should be PREPARED mentally to do so. However there are situations where the attacker upon seeing that his target is armed, suddenly realizes that he has just made a BIG error in his victim selection and it ends right there.

Self defense is just like most other things in this world. No two circumstances are the same and nothing is absolute.
 
Don't pull a gun unless you intend to use it.

Don't stop using it until the job is done.

IF it happens you can get the job done w/o having to use it, so much the better, but don't start something you don't cause or intention to finish.
 
If you do something to make me draw my firearm, you're a split second away from getting shot. If that causes you to flee, I no longer have a reason to shoot you and won't. That doesn't mean that you weren't a 1/2 second away from being shot before you ran.
 
Don't pull a gun unless you intend to use it.

Don't stop using it until the job is done.

IF it happens you can get the job done w/o having to use it, so much the better, but don't start something you don't cause or intention to finish.

My thoughts to the letter, but my simple yankee brain just says: Brandishing is stupid. Once done - and the weapon not used for its intended purpose - you've played your hand. BG sees gun and knows you are reluctant to use it - may return with a gun himself or friends with guns. Don't pull it if you ain't gonna use it. Don't get yourself into a situation you will need to use it in the first place. The best defense is retreat. Put some distance between you and the threat. I've deployed my weapon three times in the line of duty. I've shot two people in those instances, and I thank God every day they survived.
 
I would only draw my weapon if I believed that the situation warranted using it at that point. If it were to scare them away and I didn't have to shoot, that would be a bonus.

I agree. Take this scenario: You witness an old, defenseless woman having her purse stolen and struggling with the snatcher, a big guy twice your size. You intervene by shouting at the guy, but he ignores you. What to do? You can pull your concealed carry, jump on the guy, or walk away..........Now, if you decide to draw and try to use that as a way to get him to stop and he keeps at it, do you shoot him? If you have a safe shot, is it a reasonable action? Fear of bodily injury defense? Sure, a jury of your peers would probably clear you after some liberal minded DA charges you. But the hassle over a purse?!

It's a good thing to think about what you'd be inclined to do long before such an incident, and be prepared to suffer the consequences.
 
If I draw, I intend to fire and will.
There may be a second in which the BG can back down before being shot. If so, he may save his life.


One example I can think of,
In Texas deadly force can be used to protect or recover property.
Say, if I looked out one night and saw someone coming out of one of my outbuildings, I would point a gun at him and what happens in the next second depends on him.

I can think of a number of times I could draw with the intention of shooting but may not.

I never draw to scare anyone.
I actually did a couple times years ago and both times the man's actions and words were, "I'm going to stick that gun up your ***", and the fight was on.:D
 
I'm constantly amazed at how many people that carry can find a million ways NOT to fire.
I understand no one wants to shoot another human.
But when your mind goes "Oh crap he's gonna kill me" it's time.
No talking, No waving a gun around.
Draw. Shoot.

AFS
 
In TX, the law is that if I am legally allowed to use it, I am also allowed to show it. My primary intent would always be to use it, but there might be other situations such as people tracking me from the other side of the street or something where I might draw and not shoot straight away.
 
The vast majority of times when a firearm is used in self defense it is not fired. Food for thought.

If I can defuse a situation by displaying a firearm, I will. In Florida, the display of a firearm in self defense is considered to be non-lethal force. If showing you a pistol will deescalate a situation BEFORE I get to the point where I feel the need to fire, I may save my self twenty thousand bucks and a jail term.

IMO, people who say "If I draw it, I will use it" are either spouting macho horse puckeys, or will wind up drawing a weapon when it is too late. Think about all of the situations where the DISPLAY of a firearm is in itself an act of self defense, and where the discharge of said firearm may not be called for.
 
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