I will be the wet blanket here and remind everyone that anything you post here, could be used against you in court at a later time. Think about how your statement could be played to a jury of soccer mom's.
I think you are talking past each other. Nobody's saying "who care's if they're running away, smoke 'em all!", we all know what the rules engagement are. I think 'mom45' is expressing a WILLINGNESS to kill the perps. That's not a bad thing, in fact it's a prerequisite to using a weapon in SD. Legally, there's no such thing as trying to "shoot them a little" (hit a major artery, and see how long it takes for some one to die). Trying to scare them, just "wing 'em", etc would probably have a prosecutor claiming that you were'nt really in danger because you would've been "be shooting to kill" instead of F'ing around. No IANAL. While not exactly the same, "shooting to stop" while politically correct, leans that way. I get that's not your position; you DID say "if the BG dies...so be it".You have every right to defend yourself. I would never dispute that. However, you should think of it as shooting to stop the threat. There is a difference. If the bad guy dies because they initiated the attack, then so be it.
Well said!Let me offer a slight different perspective: Assuming all the prerequesites are met (meaning your use of deadly force is required to save your life or prevent serious bodily injury as well as being legally and morally sound), then
Shoot whatever portion of your opponent if available, and keep going until he is not a threat.
Center of Mass, or head, is fine -- if they are available, if your threat is out in the open, far enough away, and so forth
If he is laying on top of you, that might not be an option. Then shoot him someplace else and work your way to better targets until he is no longer a threat. Hand, arm, neck head. Ankle, thigh, pelvis, butt, abdomen...etc.
If for some reason most of is body is obscured, say behind a car, then shoot whatever is sticking out. Foot, knee, elbow, head... etc. They may be small, moving, hard to hit targets, but they may be all you have. Keeping in mind, of course background (you probably don't want to bag somebody walking across the street in the background).
Some good training -- both tactical and legal -- will help make all this clearer.
You asked a good question for someone just starting out and acknowledging you don't know but want to start finding out. Serious questions should get serious answers, not derision or "OMG I can't believe she said that!"
Keep asking questions!
Etc.
I think you are talking past each other. Nobody's saying "who care's if they're running away, smoke 'em all!", we all know what the rules engagement are. I think 'mom45' is expressing a WILLINGNESS to kill the perps. That's not a bad thing, in fact it's a prerequisite to using a weapon in SD. Legally, there's no such thing as trying to "shoot them a little" (hit a major artery, and see how long it takes for some one to die). Trying to scare them, just "wing 'em", etc would probably have a prosecutor claiming that you were'nt really in danger because you would've been "be shooting to kill" instead of F'ing around. No IANAL. While not exactly the same, "shooting to stop" while politically correct, leans that way. I get that's not your position; you DID say "if the BG dies...so be it".
A combat mindset requires a bit of unlearning social conditioning: "No, little Johnny, no biting or hitting--and forget about KILLING!!!" So, if 'mom45' says out loud: "if attacked with lethal force, I will kill in SD", that's probably more important than worrying that some ambulance-chasing atty will try to twist her words around--at least here amongst us. Saying that to responding LEO, let alone reporters is another thing.
the internet is forever.I will be the wet blanket here and remind everyone that anything you post here, could be used against you in court at a later time. Think about how your statement could be played to a jury of soccer mom's.
My intent is shoot to kill since I am pretty sure that is what they intend to do to me. Dead men also can't tell stories or sue you.
My dad used to work with the Chicago PD and has told me many stories of guys hopped up on dope that had been shot multiple times and were still the aggressor. Shooting to kill is sometimes the most effective way to stop the attack.
If he's still breathing , one between the eyes!