Have you ever had to draw your weapon in defense?

[99mikegt]

This topic may have already been beaten to death, but I'll ask it anyway. Has anyone ever had to draw down on someone or something that was threatening their life or their family members life? I'm new to this forum and to carrying. Everyone talks about the worst case scenarios, prepares for the worst , trains,etc... But has anyone ever experienced it? I live in ny so I don't even know when and if your justified to pull the weapon.

 

[bdcheung]

No, and I hope that I never do.

 

[BearBio]

Yes=it was a wild stallion. Didn't have to fire (so, I don't know if that counts or not).

As a guide, I had my pistol in my hand for possible defense many times-both for wild pigs and poachers.

 

[99mikegt]

At what point is a person justified to ward off potential threats? If someone is following my wife and baby and I out into a parking lot, and we are being harrased, can you draw on him and tell him to get away?

I'm not looking for trouble but would like to know why others opinions are on this issue

 

[venomballistics]

the gray area stuff ....
you can draw on him provided you have a gun ... might not be legal though.
but then, what are you looking to accomplish, your family kept safe? or brownie points toward sainthood?

 

[ACP230]

Came close with a couple of dogs but didn't have to draw.
One backed down on its own. One was controlled by the owner.

 

[DavidGCalderone]

Only once, but it was a bear that I was dealing with and not a human.

 

[thndrchiken]

Once, but not for a two legged critter, I was out during archery season and walking down an old logging road atop a steep ridge. I stopped to peek over the ridge and got the surprise of my life. A mountain lion coming up the deer trail right at me, it was oblivious to my presence, had my bow in one hand and couldn't decide whether to pull my phone out to take a picture or my pistol. I decided on the pistol, whistled a couple of times to get the cat's attention and it backed off and went the other way. According to the PA game commission there are no lions in central PA. Yeh, right.

 

[GKC]

At what point is a person justified to ward off potential threats? If someone is following my wife and baby and I out into a parking lot, and we are being harrased, can you draw on him and tell him to get away?

I'm not looking for trouble but would like to know why others opinions are on this issue

You don't indicate your location, so it's hard to answer without knowing what your state law(s) have to say. Even then, it's not an easy question...the answer can depend on circumstances, etc.

As far as me having to draw and/or use a weapon in self-defense (and I mean with or toward another human being) no, I haven't. I fervently hope and pray I never do, either. If the need arises, though, I'd rather have the means to defend myself or my loved ones, than regret that I didn't.

 

[99mikegt]

the gray area stuff ....
you can draw on him provided you have a gun ... might not be legal though.
but then, what are you looking to accomplish, your family kept safe? or brownie points toward sainthood?

I don't necessarily understand your question. What am I looking to accomplish?

I just want to swing my gun around in the air so I can feel good. Is that what your looking for?

I have a real question and was hoping for some real input, but thanks anyway.

 

[Lee D]

yep, when walking my dog one night a LARGE loose Rottweiler charged my dog and I. I pulled my PPS put the sights on his melon and waited. his idiot owner came out screaming "dont shoot dont shoot!"...my only reply was "keep that horse on a leash".

 

[russp1]

I don't necessarily understand your question. What am I looking to accomplish?

I just want to swing my gun around in the air so I can feel good. Is that what your looking for?

I have a real question and was hoping for some real input, but thanks anyway.

You misunderstood what venomballistics was asking you. Many of us who carry would rather violate the letter of the law and stay alive then to follow the letter and end up dead. The expression is "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6".

 

[gettle70]

i totally agree with you thndrchiken on the cougars in PA i have seen them and so have some of my other friends. and the question the game commission always asks is you sure it was not a bobcat and you just think to yourself no dumb *** the three foot freakin tail told me i was not a bobcat

 

[99mikegt]

although pulling your weapon is a serious commitment, and I wouldn't want to have it out without any intent to use it. It seems that doing so would possibly escalate a situation to a level that it may not have gotten to otherwise

 

[Old cop]

Get a copy of Mass Ayob's "Gravest Extreme" and read it cover to cover. Although a little dated it provides excellent guidance for someone like you. Another alternative might be to take an NRA course or ask for assistance from your local LE agency. Please remember that your weapon is an absolute last resort and you should never pull it out on anyone unless you are justified in shooting them.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Yes, in the defense of my life and the lives of my wife and (then) small children. It was an unprovoked attack by a knife-wielding thug in a parking lot. Unfortunately, I had little room to retreat and got cut up some. The attack, however, stopped. As far as I'm concerned, you don't draw unless you intend to shoot, and you don't shoot unless you intend to stop an attack. If the attacker dies, it's on him/her.

Yes, I have been accused of being cold-blooded about it. My only nightmares are when it replays and I can't seem to find my revolver.

ECS

 

[venomballistics]

I don't necessarily understand your question. What am I looking to accomplish?

I just want to swing my gun around in the air so I can feel good. Is that what your looking for?

I have a real question and was hoping for some real input, but thanks anyway.

well now .. we're starting to drill it down a little ...
what you'd have done right there might be referred to as brandishing a weapon. which is to the letter of the law, a violation in many areas.
But thats what we end up with in the gray areas of self defense, the potential for violations.

 

[john45]

Yes, in the defense of my life and the lives of my wife and (then) small children. It was an unprovoked attack by a knife-wielding thug in a parking lot. Unfortunately, I had little room to retreat and got cut up some. The attack, however, stopped. As far as I'm concerned, you don't draw unless you intend to shoot, and you don't shoot unless you intend to stop an attack. If the attacker dies, it's on him/her.

Yes, I have been accused of being cold-blooded about it. My only nightmares are when it replays and I can't seem to find my revolver.

ECS

In the state of Utah you would be justified in shooting the assailant as you were threatend with a weapon.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

In the state of Utah you would be justified in shooting the assailant as you were threatend with a weapon.

Where I was, the police asked if there was anything they could do for me and gave me my EDC back once the paramedics finished bandaging my cut up hand.

"HOMICIDE, n. The slaying of one human being by another. There are four kinds of homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy,..." - Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary

ECS

 

[24spenser]

Plenty of weekend warriors get in trouble pulling their Roscoe out when they should not have. You need to study up on the law in your state.

Really easy to pull it thinking you'll scare someone off, only to have them take it away from you as you weren't actually prepared to shoot someone. Dont pull it unless you are (theoretically legally) prepared to destroy the subject target. You can turn a so-so situation into a bad one if you end up in a wrestling match while holding your pistol.

As noted above, improper brandishing / display can lead to a night in jail or even a felony type charge like aggravated assault w a firearm.

Study!!!