As a LEO, never fire a warning shot - even in the performance of duty as a reason or excuse. As a private citizen, never fire a warning shot as you could very well be committing a criminal offense.
Warning shots- Good, Bad, Illegal?
- Thread starter Rastoff
- Start date
- Status
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
Watchdog
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2013
- Messages
- 12,510
- Reaction score
- 32,351
I saw this yesterday.
I have two problems with it. While the struggle is going on, she has her weapon pointed in the direction of all the guys on the ground.
Then when the suspect takes off, she fires the warning shot at a somewhat shallow angle into the air, rather than into the grass. Don't know the caliber of the pistol, but gotta wonder where that bullet ended up? Looked to me like a crowded area.
She could be charged with something...perhaps illegally discharging a weapon in city limits or something. And maybe she should be charged, not for me to say, I don't live in Texas and am not familiar with their laws.
Seriously doubt, though, that she'll be charged with attempted murder, as someone suggests.
Bottom line, from what I saw, there was no need at all for her to draw her weapon.
Ditto the above!
DD357
Member
Waste of a bullet, warning shots are a bad idea
Not only do I agree with what's been said about the warning shot, the video ticks me off because, that is exactly the kind of thing that the anti-gun crowd will use as a prime example of an "out of control gun nut", and why people should not be allowed guns or the ability carry in any manner.
In the CCW permit class I attended, it was even said by the instructor that if there was an avenue to remove yourself from the imminent threat, and you instead elect to confront instead of flee, depending on the climate/disposition of the jurisdiction, you could end being considered the aggressor and charged as such. I think that's a load of **** that that aspect even needed to be discussed regarding self defense. It reminded me of department policy in the early 70's when I was on the job that prohibited upholstering a weapon unless you were being fired upon.
Back in the day, when it was a realistic threat to a bad guy that a citizen could and would protect themselves, without a lot of conditions/limitations (either explicit or implicit), it seemed like it was a heck of a lot safer to go about your everyday business.
In the CCW permit class I attended, it was even said by the instructor that if there was an avenue to remove yourself from the imminent threat, and you instead elect to confront instead of flee, depending on the climate/disposition of the jurisdiction, you could end being considered the aggressor and charged as such. I think that's a load of **** that that aspect even needed to be discussed regarding self defense. It reminded me of department policy in the early 70's when I was on the job that prohibited upholstering a weapon unless you were being fired upon.
Back in the day, when it was a realistic threat to a bad guy that a citizen could and would protect themselves, without a lot of conditions/limitations (either explicit or implicit), it seemed like it was a heck of a lot safer to go about your everyday business.
Last edited:
Faulkner
Member
Being a thug is a dangerous profession and the sooner they realize law abiding folks have had their full the better it will be. With that said, warning shots just got stink all over them and are a bad idea.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,562
- Reaction score
- 6,317
First, let me say I am in 100% agreement with all the reasons NOT to fire a warning shot.
Before I knew better, I fired two shots that could be so described on one occasion. I was working on a forestry maintenance contract for the Soil Conservation Service to pay my way through college. These jobs were hard, hot work but the pay was good if you could survive financially to completion, which usually took all summer. If one contractor defaulted, someone else could bid on completion and the whole payout went to the one who completed.
About mid way through one job, bullets started hitting the trees above my head. Since I was running a chain saw, there was no question but that the shooter knew someone was out there. Still, I shut off the saw, yelled, walked back to the truck and honked the horn. As soon as I started the saw again, the shooting resumed. This area was far from any residence, or even camp, so I concluded someone wanted me off the job. I packed up, went to town and considered my options. There was no way the sheriff was going to detail a deputy to guard me. I really needed the money and had no more saved than I needed to get through the summer. I swapped my shotgun for a .44 cap and ball revolver.
The next day the shooting resumed. This time I had a better idea of the direction where the shots originated. I turned in that general direction and fired two rounds into a stump. The shooting stopped. I finished the job and went back to college.
Later, as a LEO, I was instructed not to fire warning shots or shoot at "hot cars". It was good counsel and I followed it.
But I'm still not sure shooting that stump was a bad idea, even though it was not a threat to me at the time.
Before I knew better, I fired two shots that could be so described on one occasion. I was working on a forestry maintenance contract for the Soil Conservation Service to pay my way through college. These jobs were hard, hot work but the pay was good if you could survive financially to completion, which usually took all summer. If one contractor defaulted, someone else could bid on completion and the whole payout went to the one who completed.
About mid way through one job, bullets started hitting the trees above my head. Since I was running a chain saw, there was no question but that the shooter knew someone was out there. Still, I shut off the saw, yelled, walked back to the truck and honked the horn. As soon as I started the saw again, the shooting resumed. This area was far from any residence, or even camp, so I concluded someone wanted me off the job. I packed up, went to town and considered my options. There was no way the sheriff was going to detail a deputy to guard me. I really needed the money and had no more saved than I needed to get through the summer. I swapped my shotgun for a .44 cap and ball revolver.
The next day the shooting resumed. This time I had a better idea of the direction where the shots originated. I turned in that general direction and fired two rounds into a stump. The shooting stopped. I finished the job and went back to college.
Later, as a LEO, I was instructed not to fire warning shots or shoot at "hot cars". It was good counsel and I followed it.
But I'm still not sure shooting that stump was a bad idea, even though it was not a threat to me at the time.
Last edited:
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I'm really sorry to hear that.
trooper2899
Member
"Warning shot" is when U miss the target (its basically a newspaper word) Some cops would claim it was a "signal shot" if they were in a wooded area and wanted to alert others as to their location.
I'm not satisfied it was a warning shot, I think she missed him or pulled the shot at the last second.
terry
terry
okiegtrider
Member
I had to go watch again, but I agree. She missed. Also went to find the news station site that had the video. No mention of her arrest in the story. Still, was a bonehead move all around on her part.
I thought she missed as well. In Texas one may defend one's property with deadly force if necessary. One may also use deadly force to stop the commission of a felony. I believe robbery is a felony in Texas, so she may walk on this eventually.
I still think it was a bad idea, though. I wouldn't shoot at a thief who was running away. A purse is not worth a life.
I still think it was a bad idea, though. I wouldn't shoot at a thief who was running away. A purse is not worth a life.
It seems like everyone here is pretty much in agreement. One should only fire their weapon to stop an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to one's self or a third person. Warning shots are never acceptable.
Idiot shouldn't be allowed to touch a firearm again. Finger on the trigger and firing a warning shot? One of those guys trying to wrestle the suspect could have easily been killed. All because of one trigger happy idiot. It's beyond stupid!
- Status
