1911 guy
Member
Some good responses here, many that mirror my own thoughts.
Force can only be applied to end a threat to yourself or another. You'd best know that "other" well enough to potentially do jail time for it.
In most places, discharging a firearm is considered to be an action intended to do harm to another. Aiming at tires isn't a good idea, as you were taking an action reasonably assumed to cause harm toward someone no longer a threat to you. Same goes for "warning shots". If someone needs shot, shoot them. If they don't need shot, there's no place for a gun. And that's just the legality, not even considering that you're firing shots at a low angle likely to ricochet across a parking lot probably full of people. Negligence, IMO.
Making a play against a drawn gun is risky in the best of circumstances, suicidal in most. The thing that would change my response is if my family is in the car. No way I'm letting someone drive off in a car that contains my wife and/or kids. He better shoot me lots, because that's what I'll be doing right back. Same with being told to get in the passenger or back seat. There's a reason most people who analyze such crimes call it "the death ride". Drop the keys and get out? Your hear that jingling sound? That's my keys on the pavement.
There is a time and a place for reacting to an unfolding situation. A gun stuck in your chest is usually a time to bide your time or changing the situation in your favor.
Force can only be applied to end a threat to yourself or another. You'd best know that "other" well enough to potentially do jail time for it.
In most places, discharging a firearm is considered to be an action intended to do harm to another. Aiming at tires isn't a good idea, as you were taking an action reasonably assumed to cause harm toward someone no longer a threat to you. Same goes for "warning shots". If someone needs shot, shoot them. If they don't need shot, there's no place for a gun. And that's just the legality, not even considering that you're firing shots at a low angle likely to ricochet across a parking lot probably full of people. Negligence, IMO.
Making a play against a drawn gun is risky in the best of circumstances, suicidal in most. The thing that would change my response is if my family is in the car. No way I'm letting someone drive off in a car that contains my wife and/or kids. He better shoot me lots, because that's what I'll be doing right back. Same with being told to get in the passenger or back seat. There's a reason most people who analyze such crimes call it "the death ride". Drop the keys and get out? Your hear that jingling sound? That's my keys on the pavement.
There is a time and a place for reacting to an unfolding situation. A gun stuck in your chest is usually a time to bide your time or changing the situation in your favor.
