Should You Draw ONLY IF your going to fire?

[Bert Retta]

Should You Draw ONLY IF your going to fire?


I was in a discussion today with a couple of Friends who EDC ,and they were saying They would not draw their firearm unless it was to the point they had to fire.What about drawing as a Deterrent,I do not believe that should be a Option,has anyone ever drawn and the drawing itself was all that was needed to stop a threat? I personally would not draw myself unless it was to Fire.Is that the proper mindset?

 

[tomrkba]

Not necessarily. The situation can change where the criminal stops the attack as you draw or identifies the gun. Mas Ayoob did a case analysis where it was demonstrated to the court that a human could turn 180 degrees in as little is 0.1 seconds (I think that was the number).

Additionally, it may be advantageous to preemptively draw in a covert way if you see trouble coming. A gun in the hand is much faster than one in a holster.

In all cases you must be able to articulate why you drew the gun. Pre-attack indicators will help you explain why you did so.

 

[wgaynor]

I don't draw unless I'm going to fire. Only drew once on a dog. Luckily it didn't attack, but I was going to fire.

I don't draw as a deterrent and I don't give warning shots.

 

[jcwit]

I live in the area where the escaped murderer from Michigan fled to here in No. Indiana. My wife & I had been gone most of the day for medical reasons, when we arrived home I cleared the house before I allowed my wife to leave the car.

This was done with my handgun in my hand with the safety off, not going to go up against someone with a drawn firearm all ready to go and me not!

 

[LeonCarr]

Per the NRA firearms are drawn and NOT fired about 2.5 million times a year.

There could be a chance that the bad guy you run across is meeting the criteria for use of deadly force by attempting to cause death or serious bodily injury to you, you draw and point your gun at him, and he stops try to hurt or kill you.

Your mindset is the proper mindset, but keep in mind if the bad guy is no longer a threat and you shoot him, it is not self defense.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[jcwit]

I should make note that one time I was being approached by a drunk with a tire iron, merely placing my hand on my pistol to be in the ready was enough to deter the confrontation.

 

[JRH6856]

Here we go again. We just did this a few weeks ago and I can summarize the responses: Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not. Probably should start choosing sides now.

 

[jcwit]

Missed it a couple of weeks ago. Oh Well.

 

[vamo]

I would say don't draw unless you are WILLING to fire. Once drawn theres a lot of good reasons to not shoot, but leave the gun in the holster if its a situation in which you would be unwilling to fire.

 

[pretzelxx]

Is wouldnt always shoot if I draw. Sometimes you can de escalate the problem without firing a round. Sometimes they just need to see you aren't the person to fool with.

 

[AK103K]

I can summarize the responses: Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not. Probably should start choosing sides now.

No need to choose sides, all are correct.

 

[BigBore44]

There is no definitive blanket answer. To many scenarios.

 

[M2 Carbine]

If I draw I am "prepared" to fire. Whether I fire or not may depend on what happens in the next second or two.

A simple explanation.

Right now it's dark. I have a couple out buildings and a barn, which are up to 35 yards from the house. Texas law is such that deadly force can be used to protect or recover property, within a few legal guidelines.

Say a few minutes ago I was coming out of the barn, which I was, and had a pistol in my coat pocket, which I did.

Say someone comes out the door of my shop, by the barn.

I would draw the gun with the intention of shooting them.

Whether I do shoot will depend on what I see in the next second,
such as if they have a gun,
if they take off running,
if I think they aren't alone,
and a number of other things.


But to answer the question,
yes I intend firing when I draw the gun but I may not.


I've pulled a gun four times with the intention of shooting someone but didn't have to shoot.


Another thing to consider is, if you let the bad get just a second ahead of you, you will probably be shot, unless you are right lucky.

 

[WestKentucky]

Kentucky law is clear that there must be reason to believe your life is in jeopardy. It also is even more clear that the use of deadly force to protect another person (ie wife or kids) that the threat must be a real threat, not a reasonably perceived threat. So, to take sides on this one...downtown Louisville is a Joes Crab Shack that I highly recommend. It sits next to a park and the free parking for the park is across a large open field. At dusk I was walking through in the misty rain after dropping the gf(now wife) off at the door when 2 guys and a gorgeous smoky blue pit bull come charging out of nowhere. Gun out up and the 38 got almost to the point of firing in da. The people were running the opposite direction yelling "don't shoot my dog" and the dog was 10 ft away sliding towards me with a stick in his mouth and wanting to play. .1 seconds is one hell of a long time. Absolutely draw early. A real threat will not stop. Two kids and a dog survived that day because of a quick pull and a slow squeeze. I suggest practicing both.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I would say don't draw unless you are WILLING to fire. Once drawn theres a lot of good reasons to not shoot, but leave the gun in the holster if its a situation in which you would be unwilling to fire.

That's my view of it too. If you are committing yourself to fire it could quickly turn from justifiable homicide to murder if the bad guy decides to do something crazy, like turn around or change his mind... "Sorry, I already pulled it out, gotta shoot you in the back" isn't a great defense.

 

[rcmodel]

Not drawing, or drawing and firing or not firing is fine, depending on the situation.

Clearing a house with the safety OFf is simply NOT fine, under ANY circumstances.

It takes less time to flick a safety off after the decision to fire is made then it takes an involuntary muscle twitch to kill someone you had no business of shooting, or killing!

rc

 

[JRH6856]

I can summarize the responses: Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not. Probably should start choosing sides now.

No need to choose sides, all are correct.

OK, there's a fifth side to add to the list.

 

[pretzelxx]

Not drawing, or drawing and firing or not firing is fine, depending on the situation.

Clearing a house with the safety OFf is simply NOT fine, under ANY circumstances.

It takes less time to flick a safety off after the decision to fire is made then it takes an involuntary muscle twitch to kill someone you had no business of shooting, or killing!

rc

Certain people train for those circumstances, they generally teach with safety on, but I know plenty of people who have cleared huts/houses with it off. They haven't killed anyone unintentionally. Its all the training under stress you have

 

[KenW.]

I will DEPLOY my weapon as necessary, and only EMPLOY it as a last resort.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Should You Draw ONLY IF your going to fire?


I was in a discussion today with a couple of Friends who EDC ,and they were saying They would not draw their firearm unless it was to the point they had to fire.What about drawing as a Deterrent,I do not believe that should be a Option,has anyone ever drawn and the drawing itself was all that was needed to stop a threat? I personally would not draw myself unless it was to Fire.Is that the proper mindset?

A threatening display means nothing if you're not willing to back it up through actual force if need be.

So, in my opinion, you should ONLY draw your weapon if you have every intent to use it based on the situation at hand. If the situation should change...well, holster your weapon and consider yourself lucky.

 

[MrCleanOK]

I am a believer that in a civilian concealed carry context, you shouldn't introduce a gun to the discussion until the criteria for you to use deadly force has been met. Otherwise, you are taking a situation which organically may not have escalated to deadly force, and taking it to that next level with your own actions. That said, if the other party corrects their action in the time between your decision to apply deadly force and pulling the trigger, then you need to reevaluate the situation.

In an official context, I have used a gun to de-escalate a situation. That was in a different country, under different rules, and the circumstances of the situation led me to believe that a deadly force encounter was eminent. Gripping my M9 and disengaging my holster's retention hood with an audible "click" was enough to grab the other party's attention and correct his behavior. Had he taken a step in my direction things likely would have ended differently and I'm glad we both walked away from the situation.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would do what makes sense at the time. I have used a handgun as a deterant simply by showing the gun in my holster with my hand on it. I do not shoot unless I have no other recourse whether I would draw or not. Potentially violent situations can change rapidly and you need to react based on your sense of impending danger to your person or family.

 

[gym]

No, if the threat has stopped you don't shoot the perp. I myself have stopped a few gunmen in my time, once they tossed their guns, it's over. Otherwise it's murder.

 

[jcwit]

If I'm clearing my own house with a possible escapee convicted of 4 murders, I'm taking every thing on my side, and that includes a safety in the off position.

The perp is going to give me no quarter, I will reply in like kind.

No, if the threat has stopped you don't shoot the perp. I myself have stopped a few gunmen in my time, once they tossed their guns, it's over. Otherwise it's murder.

This is of course correct.

 

[WestKentucky]

I once saw a similar thread, probably here, on the topic with a VERY good write up by a guy who used his weapon to defend himself and his family. Deadly force very much warranted, but the deliberate, very thoughtful words used to describe the personal aftermath were amazing, yet told how awful the experience was for the man who lived to fight another day. If anyone remembers that thread or that member please post the link if you have it.