If what is meant is that MOST civvie defensive shootings are "close encounters of the nasty kind" I wholeheartedly agree. If you are walking down Oak Street and accosted by an evolutionarilly challeged piece of refuse, there is a limited distance at which you will be considered responsible and reasonable to fire upon the threat. Even in a state that allows you to "stand your ground" moving to cover if possible is just plain smart.

But the OP did not specify a "median" enounter. What was the distance the University of Texas shooter was engaging targets at? If you took a 'Hail Mary' shot at him from 200 yards would ANYONE question that choice. (Looked it up R.D.Schmidt 500 YARDS distant was the person FURTHEST from ********* to die. This was from the much derided M-1 carbine.)

One size just cannot fit all.

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Certified Curmudgeon