Whats wrong with people?

[HK G3]

Yeah, we discussed the "reasonable person" ad nauseum in my class.

However, they definitely did tell us that DPS wanted them to tell us to not intervene unless your life is threatened, and to just call 911 and be a good witness.

 

[Defensory]

I'd get close enough for a good shot, in a position where he could see me, but not close enough so he could lunge and grab my gun.

I would then yell loudly "STOP OR I'LL SHOOT!"

If he didn't stop immediately, I would repeat the previous command and fire a warning shot.

If he still didn't stop immediately, I'd shoot him in the chest.

With numerous witnesses there to verify that I'd ordered him to stop twice, AND fired a warning shot, I don't believe even the most rabid anti-gun DA would have the guts to charge me.

 

[camslam]

Yep, and these are the same public safety officials that often tell people it isn't safe to own a gun, especially in a home, and that when someone is trying to break in or gets in, you should run to a room, lock the door, call the police, AND WAIT for the cavalry to arrive.

Yeah right. :banghead:

Like I said and you have mentioned, reasonable is the key. Act with prudence, use your firearm as a last resort, and then be prepared for the consequences, whatever they may be.

In many cases if this is what is reasonable:

DPS wanted them to tell us to not intervene unless your life is threatened, and to just call 911 and be a good witness.

THEN THAT IS TOTALLY PATHETIC!

Aside from the millions of possibilities and outcomes that can happen during a crime, standing by and watching innocent people be victimized while you can do something about it, is gutless and cowardly. We have discussed this ad nauseum in these forums and every situation is different, but I can't see how someone could look in the mirror and know that someone was injured, killed, raped, assaulted, etc... because their life wasn't threatened and they called 911 and were prepared to be a good witness.

Did I mention pathetic?

 

[mike101]

I live in NJ, so it's illegal to carry a gun unless you are a personal friend of Gov."Speedy" Corzine. They just do not issue CCW permits in this "may issue" state. It's probably illegal to shoot such a miscreant too under those circumstances (he' not in your house), too.

Let's say I ignored that CCW part of the law . Would I shoot the maniac? You bet your ass I would.

 

[jon_in_wv]

You do have to be careful. I was driving down a lonely road when I was stopped by a woman who claimed a man was chasing her and had tried to kidnap her. The guy caught up to her and they argued and it was pretty obvious it was a domestic dispute. When I offered to give her a ride instead of getting in the car with him she said, "Naw, our baby is in the car" This crazy woman tried to get me to shoot this guy right in front of their child. Its not likely I would intervene in the case of two adults without some pretty convincing motivation.
In the above case this was a two year old. I don't see how you could have misconstrued that. When he was beating a two year old to death the chance he was an undercover cop making an arrest is a pretty slim chance. I may be arrested if I shot him but is anyone saying they would sacrifice the life of a child for their own freedom?? Thats what I meant by the lack of FORTITUDE to do the right thing.

 

[KnightHawk67]

What I can't believe is that they all stood around & watched this happen. If you doubt you can take him on hand to hand, then for Gods sake, grab the tire iron, or the whole dang jack & clobber this idiot. What ever happened to defending the weak & helpless?

BTW, yes, I would shoot, no question. For an innocent kid? Oh heck yes!

 

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

according to the witnesses who couldn't make the man stop "the child was already gone" by the time they arrived. notice however when the police arrived later even though the prep was no longer a threat to a living person they still found a way to shoot and kill him. good riddance i say

i don't have children but this story made me cry.
to answer the original question as a ccw from delaware 100% legal to shoot to kill as covered under "good samaritan" laws, and preserving the life of yourself or another

 

[ProficientRifleman]

This is because people have been thoroughly indoctrinated to "let the professionals handle this"... Don't act unless you are willing to risk your freedom at the whim of a zealous prosecutor.

Simply doing the right thing is now considered risky behavior. It is a sad sign of our times (and our moral degeneracy).

...notice however when the police arrived later even though the prep was no longer a threat to a living person they still found a way to shoot and kill him.

And you would be tried for MURDER for doing a "good riddance".

 

[wilkycfc]

Its a big thing to take a life. Somebody might decide they dont like your behaviour one day. Intervene with a tyre iron and boots but shoot him?

 

[zxcvbob]

If he didn't stop immediately, I would repeat the previous command and fire a warning shot.

"Warning shot" is not justified and can get you in trouble. Where do you shoot it without endangering anyone? JMO

 

[Crunker1337]

I would have used force. I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to think straight, hopefully I'd be able to act on instinct and do what I can to hopefully have saved the child.

 

[zxcvbob]

I already said what I'd do, several pages ago. But here's the interesting thing: is deadly force legally or morally justified if a "reasonable man" would know that the child was already dead and the scumbag was wailing on a corpse?

 

[Defensory]

Posted by zxcvBob:
"Warning shot" is not justified and can get you in trouble. Where do you shoot it without endangering anyone? JMO

I disagree.

It would prove that I did everything possible to make sure I got his attention and that I meant business, and that I gave him clear warning before having to actually shoot.

This occurred in a remote area, NOT a populated area. There was plenty of open area to fire a warning shot, without endangering anyone.

 

[rdoggsilva]

In Utah the answer is yes.

 

[borntwice]

.....

 

[HK G3]

What was the point of bringing race into this?

 

[borntwice]

.....

 

[jon_in_wv]

Its a big thing to take a life. Somebody might decide they dont like your behaviour one day. Intervene with a tyre iron and boots but shoot him?

This is one of the most ridiculous things things I've seen posted on this forum. Somebody might decide they don't like my behavior???? If I'm committing a MURDER I hope they don't?? What kind of entitled and weak society have we become that so many question what the right thing to do is?? This is a CHILD!!!

I'm tapping out of this thread. God bless those of you with the common sense, morals, and fortitude to recognize what needed to be done in this situation. Those who don't are forming a pit in my stomach.

 

[Eric F]

Its a big thing to take a life. Somebody might decide they dont like your behaviour one day. Intervene with a tyre iron and boots but shoot him?

What diffrence does it make if you shoot the guy or beat him to death? physicaly beating a person will cause way more problems IMO than shooting them.

 

[zxcvbob]

Its a big thing to take a life.

Where have I heard that line before...

Will Munny (Clint Eastwood): "It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got...and all he's ever gonna have."
The Schofield Kid: "Yeah...well, I guess they had it comin'."
Will Munny: "We all have it comin', Kid."

 

[Gator]

notice however when the police arrived later even though the prep was no longer a threat to a living person they still found a way to shoot and kill him. good riddance i say

Ditto. Good job officers!

 

[GearHead_1]

Not helping the child is the biggest crime in this story.