Would you feel good about killing in self defense?

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Grandpa Shooter

Grandpa Shooter

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As I read these threads about carrying and using firearms in self defense, I get the impression that some people would actually feel good about taking a life in the process of defending themselves or someone close to them. Some even make it sound like they would feel good about killing in defense of property.

Please note I am not talking about murder. Killing is not the same as murder, even though some even sound like they would murder in the process of what they would consider "justified use of force".

Comments please?
 
I wouldn't feel good about taking another life and anyone who does needs to check into a mental health facility...and they don't need a weapon. I don't think I'd hesitate to defend my loved ones or myself, but I'd anticipate a lot of sleepless nights over it.
 
There's all types in this world. As for me, check previous posts and you'll find a lot of "God forbid I ever have to use this thing" kind of stuff and I really mean that!
 
For a sane person, the only alternative to feeling bad would be to feel nothing; I think its called being desensitized. The only person I would think will feel 'good' about killing someone is a gangbanger tryin to rep his hood.
 
Somewhere down the road, I'd feel much better about still living, or about someone else still living, than I'd feel about having to end someone else's life to do so.

Only air is free.
 
No one knows how they'd really react until it's them.

Some guys I know puked their guts out and spent a lot of time waking up screaming. Others shrugged and got on with their gratefully extended lives. Most seem to fall somewhere in the middle, more often than not excaberated by the uncertain possibility of prosecution hanging over their heads for months.

That being said, I question the necessity of feeling bad that some elements of our culture places on those who have killed in the process of justly defending themselves/their families/their nation.

Basically, the unspoken cultural attitude is that if you don't feel bad/have ptsd/wake up with nightmares/have deep crisis of remorse and regret, there's something deeply and clinically, and possibly criminally wrong with you, and failure to pay homage at this altar casts you under suspicion.

I'm not convinced that needs to the the case, and there's a huge difference between "can be traumatized" and "MUST be traumatized".
 
I think I'd feel good about protecting my life or those of my family.


I think I'd be very mad if some SOB forced me to shoot him.


Hopefully, I'll never have to find out.
 
Would you feel good about killing in self defense?
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It depends on who I killed.

If it was some child killer, dope dealer, serial rapist, serial killer, gang banger, etc, really bad guy?
Yes I would feel good about ridding humanity of such filth.

If I killed like a non violent burglar, that was in reality just a stupid punk, it wouldn't worry me but I wouldn't feel good about it.
 
That being said, I question the necessity of feeling bad that some elements of our culture places on those who have killed in the process of justly defending themselves/their families/their nation.
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I agree. I am fairly positive that I would not feel good about it, and there is no way to know, but I'd like to think that I wouldn't feel that bad about it either.

I know one LEO and a couple Marines involved in shootings who seemed pretty indifferent about it . . . they felt they were in danger and did what they needed to do to survive. I know these guys pretty well, and I don't think it was some sort of tough guy exterior and on the inside they were really upset about it.

At least in the case of the LEO, a lot of people (his friends and coworkers) seemed to imply that something was wrong with him because he wasn't devastated by the incident. While there would be nothing wrong if he was troubled by the incident, I don't think there is anything unnatural about not being troubled by it either.
 
Most people thank God that they weren't on campus when the shooting started at Virginia Tech or weren't on those airplanes when they hit the Twin Towers. I however, wish I was there at those events armed and ready to preserve the lives of these innocent people. Men, should be ready to protect life and yes be "happy" to do so. There is a natural instinct in young men to even desire that their life have at least one such event occur in which they can be the "hero". Joy at killing - no, Joy at saving life - Yes.
 
don't think I'd feel "good" about it, but I also don't think I'd feel bad about it either.
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I feel the same way. I don't think I would feel bad, given that the alternative was my death/serious bodily harm or that of another innocent person. But it wouldn't exactly feel like I just scored the winning touchdown, either. Since I believe, as most here do, that defense of your life or a loved one's life using whatever means necesssary is the right thing to do, I sure as hell wouldn't feel ashamed of having done it.

All depends on the situation .. I have no idea how I would react to it.
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However, I also believe this is a valid point.
 
As I read these threads about carrying and using firearms in self defense, I get the impression that some people would actually feel good about taking a life in the process of defending themselves or someone close to them. Some even make it sound like they would feel good about killing in defense of property.
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I get that impression too, or rather, I get the impression that some people think they would feel good about it. When I come across folks like that -- or the ones who are eagerly collecting "cool" rifles for "when the SHTF!" -- I simply assume that they are young and under the influence of Hollywood.
 
It depends deeply on your moral belief system, how you where raised, and circumstances at the time. I personally am a little less sensitive than I would have been before, since my stint overseas. Before I might have hesitated, now I would not. I will gladly protect those around me and closest to me with my life. Taking a life is never easy. Those who have done it will seldom tell you, the ones who brag are generally lying through their teeth. We all process the situation differently, so I hope this sheds some light on your question.
 
That is a leading question, I believe even answering it is't a good idea, regaurdless of your answer
 
I doubt I would feel good about the actual killing. I am pretty sure I would feel real good I was still alive.
 
No. But I'd be overjoyed that I had survived a deadly threat. If I were a cop, that would be OK. But, as a civilian, the police investigators would try to make my joy into EVIL "lack of remorse" as they seek to stick me with a crime.

Another good reason to put an ATTORNEY between you and the police.
 
I have to post

I'm reading this thread and I'm sorry guys, but I have to post. I was a serviceman in Viet Nam and yes I killed. Did I like it, no. I respected the NVA and the VC because they were fighting for what they believed in. I felt bad that they had to die.

Now fast forward 40 years. If I had to kill a truly bad guy, the scum of society, would I feel bad - no, not one iota. Not in the least. Would I feel good? Maybe, because I would truly know in my heart that I stopped some SOB who needed stopping and who would in all probability take more lives in the future until he was caught and (yes NJ) executed.

I'm not politically correct - I have no love in my heart for people who prey on others and wish to do others harm. In my mind the world needs to be rid of these vermin.

That's one mans opinion.
 
If the need to take a human life is necessary to protect family or friends from having their lives taken... Well I like to think that I have the nerve to do whats necessary for the preservation of myself or them.

Would I feel good about taking the life of someone? No... Honestly don't think any elation or sense of happiness would come over me. But I don't think not feeling good about it in the morning would sway my decision when given the "Not waking up" alternative.
 
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