Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series by Chuck Klein a, recognized expert in firearms safety. This article is merely to foster thought and where appropriate, encourage further training in proper, safe and legal use of force by American Citizens The contents of this article should NOT be construed as a legal advice.
Ed
Knowing how to shoot is the easy part.
Knowing when is the important part.
1) While shopping at a local stop & rob, you notice the terrified look on the cashier’s face as she hands over money from the register to a hooded person holding what appears to be a short-barreled shotgun. The hooded person tucks the gun into his long overcoat and moves toward the exit. You are legally carrying a concealed firearm. Do you:
a. Follow the hooded person outside where there are no bystanders, draw your handgun and, while chasing him and pointing your gun at him, call for him to halt or you’ll shoot;
b. Draw your gun and shoot the hooded person before he exits the store;
c. Without drawing your handgun, shelter-in-place and call 9-1-1;
d. Draw your handgun and be prepared to use it should there be accomplices still in the store or the robber returns – then call 9-1-1.
2) Accompanied by two loved ones, you are walking on a public sidewalk with your legally carried firearm concealed in a hip holster. Suddenly, you are confronted by a man brandishing a handgun, standing at arm’s length, and demanding your money. Do you:
a. While looking him in the eye and vocally telling him to go away in a commanding voice, ignore his demands, while placing yourself in front of your loved ones and reaching for your cell phone;
b. Immediately reach for your cell phone to call 9-1-1 while telling your loved ones to run away;
c. Grab for his gun with one hand while drawing your own gun and then shoot him if he has not relinquished control of his gun by the time your gun comes to battery;
d. Do not look him in the eye, beg him to point his gun away and while promising to give him your money which you tell him is in your hip pocket. Then slowly reach for your hip-holstered gun, draw it and shoot him – continually and until he is no longer a threat;
e. Surrender your money and when he turns to leave, draw your gun and shoot him.
3) Where is the safest and best location to keep a self-defense handgun?
a. In a locked container;
b. In a secure, but accessible only to you, locked container;
c. On your person;
d. In your motor vehicle.
4) You are legally carrying a concealed handgun and while standing next to your car in a shopping center parking lot, you hear a disturbance. Turning to look, you see a man about your size, beating another person with a length of 2×4. The man is across a driving lane – about 25 feet from you. He sees you looking at him, raises the 2×4, screams he’s going to kill you and then begins to advance. Considering your safety and legal consequences, do you:
a. Draw your weapon and shoot him;
b. Run away;
c. Draw your handgun and fire a warning shot then shoot him if necessary;
d. Shoot to wound in the arm or leg.;
e. Enter your car and call 9-1-1, draw your handgun and be prepared to use it.
ANSWERS
1) a. Wrong. Unless you are a law enforcement officer, you have no duty, power or right to apprehend the robber. When you point a firearm at another it is a felony in most jurisdictions, self-defense notwithstanding. See d. below;
b. Wrong. Intentionally shooting another is murder, self-defense notwithstanding;
c. Correct. Your life is not in immediate danger. Just because you’re packing a heater, doesn’t mean you need to display it;
d. Wrong. Brandishing a firearm might get you killed. Responding law enforcement officers, the store owner/manager or on-scene, off-duty LEOs might mistake you as one of the robbers.
2) a. Wrong If you believe that psychological tough talk will enable you to bluff your way out of a dangerous situation, you might be wrong…dead wrong. Super-predators – losers with nothing to lose – can’t be bluffed;
b. Wrong. Some thugs, especially those strung out on drugs, will shoot you even after you have complied with their request;
c. Wrong. Only in the movies;
d. Correct. There are no guarantees in life, but this is your best option – practice your draw;
e. Wrong. If he is no longer a threat and you shoot him, it’s called murder. See b. above.
3) a. Wrong. It wouldn’t be of much value if needed in a hurry;
b. Wrong, but maybe at night if you have small children in the home;
c. Correct. On your person, a handgun is only accessible to you and is instantly available;
d. Wrong. Not even when you’re operating the MV. If accessible it might be in violation of local laws and subject to theft if the vehicle is left unattended;
4) a. Correct. The man has beaten another with a weapon that can cause death or great bodily harm, he is advancing toward you and he has verbally indicated he is going to kill you. At such close distance, you might only have time to draw and fire. You shoot for center mass (chest/abdomen) and continue shooting until the threat is gone. And, no, you are not trying to kill him – only stop his illegal and unwarranted deadly assault. If he dies of his wounds, tough cookies. Legally defensible;
b. Wrong. You might not be able to outrun him. Even if you are younger and a world class sprinter, turning your back on a killer and trying to outrun him, without tripping, in a parking lot full of cars, people and shopping carts is not a good plan;
c. Wrong. Warning shots are almost never a good tactic as an errant shot could injure an innocent person. Witnesses, after the fact, could implicate you as the aggressor. A legal nightmare;
d. Wrong. Even police are not trained to shoot to wound Trying to hit a moving limb is most difficult and even if successful, at such close distance, might not even slow him down. If unsuccessful (and you survive) a legal nightmare;
e. Wrong. You might not have time to open the door and enter the vehicle the windows of which offer little protection.
© Chuck Klein, 2024
About the Author: Chuck Klein is a former: police officer, Tactical Defense Institute Level 6 firearms instructor and Licensed Private Investigator (ret.). He is currently: an active member of International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and the author of INSTINCT COMBAT SHOOTING, Defensive Handgunning for Police; LINES OF DEFENSE, Police Ideology and the Constitution. His education includes Bachelor of Laws. Information about his writings and e-mail contact is available on his web site: chuckklein.com
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