Draw but don't fire - a real world example

[Bung]

Cops draw and point their guns all the time while making an arrest or confronting a criminal in the act of committing a crime. Luckily they often don't fire. They do this for their safety so why should citizens defending property or life, as permitted by law, be any different?

Well, they are cops. They can shoot people in the back and get a medal for it. They can carry into GFZ's because the state has deemed them worty. If you want to be able to point guns at people and shoot them once they stop being a threat, become a cop.

 

[Vlad the Impaler]

He does realize there are locks on those doors?

The lesson here? Lock you car doors.

Noooooooo!

We aren't really playing the blame-the-victim game, are we?

 

[jwh20]

Do people usually not get in trouble for pulling a gun and then not firing it? Obviously in this instance that was the case. I was always under the impression that doing something like that could put someone on pretty thin ice. Ideas?

The rule I use is, only draw if you are justified in firing. You always have the option of not firing but to pull your weapon when you are not justified if using it is anywhere from questionable to unlawful depending on where you are. But if you pull due to a threat that you are justified in meeting with lethal force and the sight of the weapon nullifies the threat, then you should be good. In my view, this is a better outcome anyway, because the gun saved your life without you having to kill anyone.

 

[NyleRN]

The rule I use is, only draw if you are justified in firing. You always have the option of not firing but to pull your weapon when you are not justified if using it is anywhere from questionable to unlawful depending on where you are. But if you pull due to a threat that you are justified in meeting with lethal force and the sight of the weapon nullifies the threat, then you should be good. In my view, this is a better outcome anyway, because the gun saved your life without you having to kill anyone.

THIS

 

[TheSpark]

Well, they are cops. They can shoot people in the back and get a medal for it. They can carry into GFZ's because the state has deemed them worty. If you want to be able to point guns at people and shoot them once they stop being a threat, become a cop.

That was not my point. My point was I don't see a problem with drawing/pointing your gun, if the need absolutely arises, even if you choose not to shoot. I'm not saying anyone, even a cop, should shoot someone who is no longer a threat.

 

[nobek102]

My favorite part was when he said your either a victim or your not and I chose not to be a victim!

 

[Paul30]

Some claim he should lock his doors and are right. Many cars these days automatically unlock all doors when you move the transmission from drive to park. I would like to get this changed in the programming and probably can at the dealer. The door physically unlocks anyway when you pull the lever, so I don't need my car unlocking all the doors the second I shift into park. I have to make a conscious effort to relock the door until I am ready to unlock them. Many times I will drop someone at the door and park where I sit and wait for them. The door locks are one more layer of protection, and it bothers me that the manufacturers have designed it to open the car up to a similar event every time you park.