Florida J Frame
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Warning shots are always a BAD idea. You either need to stop an action NOW or you don't.
Warning Shots
- Thread starter Kanewpadle
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The only warning shot I have ever fired or will ever fire was a near miss!!!
Rastoff
US Veteran
I'm glad this turned out as it did and no one was hurt. Further, I'm glad you were willing to help. Far too many are not.
The "warning" shot would not have helped. The dog is used to a busy street and wouldn't be phased by a shot from 70' away.
Now, once you crossed the street and this happened:
I know many have a soft spot for dogs, I do too. However, I have a softer spot for little kids and their mothers. I don't think I would have taken a chance with this one. Of course I wasn't there so, this is only anecdotal.
The "warning" shot would not have helped. The dog is used to a busy street and wouldn't be phased by a shot from 70' away.
Now, once you crossed the street and this happened:
I think you should have at the very least had your gun out if not shot the dog. The situation could have gotten ugly really quickly. You knew it was aggressive, it was already lunging at others and now it's coming toward you. Shoot the dog.
I know many have a soft spot for dogs, I do too. However, I have a softer spot for little kids and their mothers. I don't think I would have taken a chance with this one. Of course I wasn't there so, this is only anecdotal.
My local German Shepherd was doing his routine "I'm on duty" barking, and he threw in a warning grown at me. I gave him a stern "No Growl!", and shook my finger at him. He stopped barking at me, and looked at me like "gosh, sorry".
Sounds about right. I imagine the poor guy must've had the saddest look on his face.
The FIL has a GS mix who likes to beg around the dinner table at Thanksgiving. I gave him a stern "NO! Go lay down!" and he sulked away into the living room, but not before turning around and giving me this heart-wrenching "Why you gotta be so mean to me?!" gaze.
one eye joe
US Veteran
KANEWPADDLE, YA DONE GOOD ! ! ! IT'S NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO FIRE A WARNING SHOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. IF YOU NEED TO PULL A GUN, IT SHOULD BE A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH. IF YOU DO KILL A HUMAN OR AN ANIMAL, IT MUST BE JUSTIFIABLE. I WOULD CALL THE COPS, EVERY TIME YOU SEE THIS DOG UNLEASHED, AND KEEP A LOG---DATE, TIME, OFFICER THAT YOU SPOKE TO. THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL…………...
My thoughts exactly. The bullet will land somewhere, endangering safety. Either you need to fire your gun in self-defense or you don't need to fire your gun at all. Warning shots will only get you in legal trouble.
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I have watched those same fireworks from that same place. I also worked the extra duty police patrols there a couple years on July 4th.
When I was growing up in Erie, PA, a girl was shot and suffered permanent brain damage at the city's New Years Eve party from a round coming down into her head.
JJEH
Member
Obviously the lady was in real trouble. You try to help and non of the motorists felt like slowing down to let you cross the street, since they didn't wanted to stop and help.
Anyways, firing a shot in the air doesn't do anything good. Will only get you into trouble.
A warning shot is basically an attempt to start a negotiation. During that attempt many things can go wrong. So, unless you are living way out in the country, I wouldn't fire a warning shot.
Regarding dog defense, all you want is the throat. BTDT. Think like an animal
Anyways, firing a shot in the air doesn't do anything good. Will only get you into trouble.
A warning shot is basically an attempt to start a negotiation. During that attempt many things can go wrong. So, unless you are living way out in the country, I wouldn't fire a warning shot.
Regarding dog defense, all you want is the throat. BTDT. Think like an animal
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ChattanoogaPhil
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Aside from the inherert risks of firing a gun into the air, standing along side a multi-lane busy highway firing a gun is a good way to startle or panic a driver, cause an accident or get yourself run over. And there may be another good guy with a gun that only sees what he believes to be a crazy man firing a gun on the side of the highway, and does not see the lady/dog problem on the other side of the highway.
Knowing when to leave a gun holstered is every bit as important as knowing when to use it. Lots of things to consider in very brief moments.
Sounds like the situation was handled quite well.
Knowing when to leave a gun holstered is every bit as important as knowing when to use it. Lots of things to consider in very brief moments.
Sounds like the situation was handled quite well.
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One thing I've learned over the years regarding hard and fast rules, is that there aren't any.
ironhead7544
Member
I am considering carrying one of those little blank guns as a BUG. The two situations in my previous post were real.
You might also consider carrying the Glasers or other frangable bullets. I know someone who fired a 380 Glaser 3 inches from a safe. The bullet split up and he wasnt hurt. These are also very light and lose their velocity fast.
You might also consider carrying the Glasers or other frangable bullets. I know someone who fired a 380 Glaser 3 inches from a safe. The bullet split up and he wasnt hurt. These are also very light and lose their velocity fast.
ironhead7544
Member
+1 on that. When you have a split second to make up your mind, there are a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks out there willing to judge you.
OP
I sincerely appreciate all the POSITIVE comments. I posted this as an example of the thought process that goes through one's mind when such a situation arises.
Armchair quarter backing aside, each situation will be different. Think clearly if you can.
Armchair quarter backing aside, each situation will be different. Think clearly if you can.
I don't know you, but it seems like no matter how much advise you get, you will do what you want. Go ahead fire you handgun, shotgun or bow and arrow at that dog. How far away were you? 100 feet? You do that where I live, your going to jail. The law is cut and dry. The only people here that can legally fire at an animal are uniforms, period. When you saw what was happening why didn't you dial 911. Didn't you say it was several minutes before you could cross the street. There may have been a Black & White around the corner. I can imagine the mayhem you would have caused firing a gun across four lanes of what sounds like very heavy traffic. Can you say multiple lawsuits here? Although your intentions seem admirable, they were wrong. You weren't in danger, the mother and baby were. I have faced lawyers in the past, most of them are really good at their work. I think a lawyer would have a field day with you on the stand. Maybe you should leave your six shooter at home.
David R
Member
The fellow that taught me to shoot a hand gun suggested a warning shot to the forehead.
I suggest a meatball with sleeping pills dropped within his reach. Nobody knows.
Around here we call it SSS. Shoot shovel and shut up. I have a neighbor dog that is truly nasty. I have been dealing with it for a while. I have even spoken to the owner and showed her my pepper spray for Her Dog.
The meatball thing has been on my mind for a while. I could leave it in MY yard because she lets it out and he leaves a calling card.
I ride a bicycle or go for a walk every day. Right now I can't go left from my house because that dog. Its a problem.
David
I suggest a meatball with sleeping pills dropped within his reach. Nobody knows.
Around here we call it SSS. Shoot shovel and shut up. I have a neighbor dog that is truly nasty. I have been dealing with it for a while. I have even spoken to the owner and showed her my pepper spray for Her Dog.
The meatball thing has been on my mind for a while. I could leave it in MY yard because she lets it out and he leaves a calling card.
I ride a bicycle or go for a walk every day. Right now I can't go left from my house because that dog. Its a problem.
David
Besides being a gun use board
It's good to discuss when to NOT use a gun.
The OP was on the edge but ready if the dog pressed his attack but ended up not having to use his so he gets the "Discretion Award".
They have some rules here about dog bites, some get a second chance, but if a dog bites a person he's got three feet in the grave.
It's good to discuss when to NOT use a gun.
The OP was on the edge but ready if the dog pressed his attack but ended up not having to use his so he gets the "Discretion Award".
They have some rules here about dog bites, some get a second chance, but if a dog bites a person he's got three feet in the grave.
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David
Another "Act first, think later." Can you say Civil Suit? You have posted your intentions here which are public records. Depending on which state you live in and you go to a jury trial, pray you don't have animal lovers on the jury.
I hope that this isn't too far off topic, but we had a problem dog in our neighborhood. It attacked some folks who were walking their dogs and others who were passing by. This was not on private property. The owner wasn't cooperative with neighbors or animal control. The matter went to county court and the dog was not only banned from the neighborhood, but the county. Animal control said that if there was any other problem with the dog, it would be put down. They also said that incidents with problem animals should be documented. This whole process took a few months, but the problem was eventually solved.
You are wrong about Massachusetts law, you can kill a dog that is attacking you or another person - see MGL chapter 140 section 156 ...
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section156
Then there is not much point in having a weapon if you can't see it much less use it. Criminals don't seem to have a problem. The dog is a menace and had already attacked defenseless people. This turned out good but it could have gone the other way and you have no other alternative but to put the dog down or let the mother and children continue to be attacked.
How long were you in law enforcement. MGL's really mean nothing, ever hear of the Bartley Fox law? Look that one up.
66 shooter
Member
Kudos to you for wanting to help, but... there are no such thing as a warning shot, what you had was a deadly weapon and only should be used in cases that require deadly force. That fired round must end up somewhere, possibly in a really bad place. Remember...if you pull it, you are responsible for everything that happens.
Your another one looking for jail time, or, being sued in Civil Court. Animal Control, or Fish and Game take their job serious. Shooting a house pet will bring down a world of you know what on you. If the person that owned the dog even thinks you are to blame. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. Thats the trouble with people today, too much TV. Life isn't TV. You shoot, your in trouble. Go ahead shoot that dog. Hope you liked your guns! Of course you probably have some buried in your back yard.
armenius
US Veteran
Animal Control...Now that's a nice political job.I always see two people riding around in a nice pickup with always empty cages.I have had a few problems and called with little result.
I was being overtaken by feral cats a typical "crazy lady"on the next street kept around.I would come home and they were lounging on my patio tables.One loved the front doormat and her fleas came in and infested my wife's Oriental rugs.We had to have the house fumigated x2 in our absence.Several calls later the AC folks delivered a trap,caught a possum the took the trap back!I bought my own trap and right away the cats,mostly mean as he'll,were permanently relocated.
I was being overtaken by feral cats a typical "crazy lady"on the next street kept around.I would come home and they were lounging on my patio tables.One loved the front doormat and her fleas came in and infested my wife's Oriental rugs.We had to have the house fumigated x2 in our absence.Several calls later the AC folks delivered a trap,caught a possum the took the trap back!I bought my own trap and right away the cats,mostly mean as he'll,were permanently relocated.
poorjohnny
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block the exits in there house and burn it down
Watchdog
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I haven't commented on this whole ridiculous thread up to now, but I'm having kind of a hard time believing I'm seeing some of the comments here...yours in particular.
You're posting on a publicly viewable firearms forum here. Probably the most highly respected firearms forum on the Internet, and you're publicly advocating...in writing, no less...(your words: "I suggest") committing a felony, not to mention a few additional misdemeanor charges which could be brought against you? Poisoning/killing a dog with a drug-laced meatball?
Are you serious? And you're a Life Member of the NRA on top of that?
And please tell us how poisoning a dog relates to carrying a concealed firearm and self defense.
The anti-gun folks ought to just love you and this whole thread. They eat stuff like this up with a spoon.
Been there and done it. It was a choice between getting bit by more than one dog in the middle of the night or taking a shot at them running in and out from under my truck trying to get me. Raised pistol, tapped the trigger and they scattered. No one got hurt, no one called the cops, everyone slept peacefully the rest of the night and the dogs didn't come back.
sgtsandman
US Veteran
If you are going to fire a warning shot, fire it into the ground not into the air where God knows where it's going to come back down. One could end up hurting someone or something and not know it because they shot into the air.
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