License to carry a firearm

[LuckyTaxi]

There was a thread a while back regarding a fight of some sort and the question of using a gun was brought up. A member mentioned you pull a gun out only when you are going to fire. You can't pull a gun out to intimidate someone. Now, I have a license to carry and I have a 9mm. I DO NOT want to shoot nor kill anyone. However, let's say me and my girl was walking from our car to go someone and we get confronted by a group of guys. Can I pull my gun out to scare them? If their intent is to just rob us then thats fine but I dont know if they would hurt us.

I'm not trigger happy and I dont want anyone knowing I have a gun. However, what does the law state? Last thing I want to do is pull my gun out to scare someone and then I end up in court for trying to defend myself.

 

[Biggerhammer]

You can pull it to scare them but if you draw, you should be ready to use it. If you draw and get the weapon taken from you, you'll very likely get the first round.

If the situation warrants drawing a weapon, it warrants deadly force. If you draw in a lesser situation, the least you'll get is your carry permit pulled in a realy hurry.

If you truly are not willing to use a firearm, I'd suggest carrying mace- no insult intended. It's a fairly effective way to get the bad guy disabled and it won't kill.

 

[mwtgg]

If you don't want to shoot or kill anyone, don't carry. I'm not saying you should instigate shootouts, but you should be ready to use it if necessary.

But anyway, it really depends on state laws. I'll have to check ours, it's been awhile. Pennsylvania is a gun-friendly state, so I'll assume that you can, but...

 

[Slacker]

If you draw, be prepared to fire.

In the situation you describe, I can see drawing and backing away, and giving the bad guys the opportunity to get away as well, if you are backing away and they pursue, and you fear for your safety, fire away. (make sure you kill the person you shoot, only one side to the story, no lawsuits.)

 

[Evadman]

The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Slacker
If you draw, be prepared to fire.

In the situation you describe, I can see drawing and backing away, and giving the bad guys the opportunity to get away as well, if you are backing away and they pursue, and you fear for your safety, fire away.

Thats all I wanna do. Pull it out or just show that I have it on my waist and hope they run off. I dont want to fire and hurt someone, but yes, if I had to I would! If you come at me with a gun or with a bat, then I'm going to shoot, but I wont shoot to kill.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Evadman
The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

So, you're saying if someone tries to mug me, let them mug me? I can't imagine me winning in court if I fired at the person and they have no weapon.

 

[Minjin]

The term you are looking for is brandishing. And no, you can't do that. Nor should you even if you could...

Mark

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Evadman
The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

So, you're saying if someone tries to mug me, let them mug me? I can't imagine me winning in court if I fired at the person and they have no weapon.

If you can prove your life was at risk then yes, you can win the case. When it comes down to it though, just pop em in the leg or something. At least then you can disprove intent to kill or something hehehe.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Evadman
The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

So, you're saying if someone tries to mug me, let them mug me? I can't imagine me winning in court if I fired at the person and they have no weapon.

If you can prove your life was at risk then yes, you can win the case. When it comes down to it though, just pop em in the leg or something. At least then you can disprove intent to kill or something hehehe.

If you shoot you shoot to kill. It doesn't matter where you hit them--it's all considered deadly force.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Slacker
If you draw, be prepared to fire.

In the situation you describe, I can see drawing and backing away, and giving the bad guys the opportunity to get away as well, if you are backing away and they pursue, and you fear for your safety, fire away.

Thats all I wanna do. Pull it out or just show that I have it on my waist and hope they run off. I dont want to fire and hurt someone, but yes, if I had to I would! If you come at me with a gun or with a bat, then I'm going to shoot, but I wont shoot to kill.

If you're not shooting to kill then what are you trying to do? It's DEADLY FORCE.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Evadman
The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

So, you're saying if someone tries to mug me, let them mug me? I can't imagine me winning in court if I fired at the person and they have no weapon.

If you can prove your life was at risk then yes, you can win the case. When it comes down to it though, just pop em in the leg or something. At least then you can disprove intent to kill or something hehehe.

If you shoot you shoot to kill. It doesn't matter where you hit them--it's all considered deadly force.

Not if you can convince a jury of your peers.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Evadman
The second it comes out you betetr be ready to use it and live with it. If you pull it out to 'scare' someone, you should not ahve a carry permit. It should be your absolute last resort.

So, you're saying if someone tries to mug me, let them mug me? I can't imagine me winning in court if I fired at the person and they have no weapon.

If you can prove your life was at risk then yes, you can win the case. When it comes down to it though, just pop em in the leg or something. At least then you can disprove intent to kill or something hehehe.

If you shoot you shoot to kill. It doesn't matter where you hit them--it's all considered deadly force.

Not if you can convince a jury of your peers.

You won't.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Slacker
If you draw, be prepared to fire.

In the situation you describe, I can see drawing and backing away, and giving the bad guys the opportunity to get away as well, if you are backing away and they pursue, and you fear for your safety, fire away.

Thats all I wanna do. Pull it out or just show that I have it on my waist and hope they run off. I dont want to fire and hurt someone, but yes, if I had to I would! If you come at me with a gun or with a bat, then I'm going to shoot, but I wont shoot to kill.

if you aren't prepared to shoot to kill you shouldn't be carrying. especially if you think you're gonna aim for the arm or leg if someone is coming at you with a gun themselves.

 

[AbAbber2k]

I'm not really down with your view of "if you shoot you're shooting to kill." It's not that black and white; nothing is. Maybe that's how the law views it, but even if my life is in danger, I'm only going to use as much force as is necessary such that I'm no longer in danger. If that means crippling my adversary rather than capping him in the fvcking head that's what I'll do. But I will use "deadly force" (as you so love to put it) if it's necessary.

 

[ktehmok]

Originally posted by: Slacker
If you carry, be prepared to fire.

In the situation you describe, I can see drawing and backing away, and giving the bad guys the opportunity to get away as well, if you are backing away and they pursue, and you fear for your safety, fire away. (make sure you kill the person you shoot, only one side to the story, no lawsuits.)

Fixed

Do not carry or draw a firearm unless you're prepared to use it. Because someone will try to call your bluff and think that they can take it from you.

To answer your question:

Back when I was younger, I used to carry in the open (legal here in AZ). I stopped at a local grocery store, the larger kind w/ a big parking lot. I parked way in the back where it was kinda dark.

I got out of my truck & was still facing the cab to lock my door. I turned around & at the back of my Blazer some shady-looking guy comes walking around. I put my hand on the butt of my pistol and said, in a very commanding voice (This is important, ask any cop. Speak like you have a pair, it may save your life someday) "That's close enough!". he stopped dead in his track's, then asked if I would buy him some beer. I said "fvck no, take a walk" and he said "Thank you for your time" and that was that.

Remember that you're not on this earth to be a victim. Fvck the law, take care of #1 first.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k
I'm not really down with your view of "if you shoot you're shooting to kill." It's not that black and white; nothing is. Maybe that's how the law views it, but even if my life is in danger, I'm only going to use as much force as is necessary such that I'm no longer in danger. If that means crippling my adversary rather than capping him in the fvcking head that's what I'll do. But I will use "deadly force" (as you so love to put it) if it's necessary.

Yes ... exactly what I'm thinking. I'll shoot you if you try to harm my family but at the same time I wont put 8 bullets in you. One or two is enough to stop the person dead in his track. Why would I wanna kill someone? It doesnt make any sense. In that case, why wont the cops shoot a suspect to death when he/she tried to shoot at them?

Remember that you're not on this earth to be a victim. Fvck the law, take care of #1 first.

EXACTLY!

 

[ktehmok]

Originally posted by: lilcam
There was a thread a while back regarding a fight of some sort and the question of using a gun was brought up. A member mentioned you pull a gun out only when you are going to fire. You can't pull a gun out to intimidate someone. Now, I have a license to carry and I have a 9mm. I DO NOT want to shoot nor kill anyone. However, let's say me and my girl was walking from our car to go someone and we get confronted by a group of guys. Can I pull my gun out to scare them? If their intent is to just rob us then thats fine but I dont know if they would hurt us.

I'm not trigger happy and I dont want anyone knowing I have a gun. However, what does the law state? Last thing I want to do is pull my gun out to scare someone and then I end up in court for trying to defend myself.

No one with any moral sense want's to shoot or kill anyone, or end up with all of the mental & legal consequences of that action. But you need to face this fact: If the situtation were to arise that would require you to use deadly force to protect you, or someone close to you, there will be consequence's. To both you & the offending party. The fact that you are carrying will hopefully determine that the consequence's are paid by the offending party, and not you or someone you care about.

 

[Malfeas]

Mace or Pepper spray are highly effective at temporarily disabling a would be assailant. A handgun has only one purpose, to kill. I myself have a CWP, but have never felt the need to carry my handgun on me. But I also have some pepprerspray, it is a better form of self protection in my opinion, being as it isn't lethal. There are very few circumstances in which you would need to use a firearm to protect yourself.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: lilcam
Yes ... exactly what I'm thinking. I'll shoot you if you try to harm my family but at the same time I wont put 8 bullets in you. One or two is enough to stop the person dead in his track. Why would I wanna kill someone? It doesnt make any sense. In that case, why wont the cops shoot a suspect to death when he/she tried to shoot at them?

I suggest you get some training because comments like that tell me you don't know wtf you're talking about. Bullets in general DO NOT STOP people in time to save your own ass unless you hit them in the head or central nervous system. You've been watching too many movies.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Since you're from Philly, you should assume that each one of them is armed and you pulling your gun out will get both you and your girl shot. It might work in a small town, but not the real world.

 

[imported_malcontent]

Originally posted by: lilcam
There was a thread a while back regarding a fight of some sort and the question of using a gun was brought up. A member mentioned you pull a gun out only when you are going to fire. You can't pull a gun out to intimidate someone. Now, I have a license to carry and I have a 9mm. I DO NOT want to shoot nor kill anyone. However, let's say me and my girl was walking from our car to go someone and we get confronted by a group of guys. Can I pull my gun out to scare them? If their intent is to just rob us then thats fine but I dont know if they would hurt us.

I'm not trigger happy and I dont want anyone knowing I have a gun. However, what does the law state? Last thing I want to do is pull my gun out to scare someone and then I end up in court for trying to defend myself.

Take some time and educate yourself with the laws of your state. Then, get some serious training on how to use the weapon and I am not talking about a buddy going with you to the range every so often.

If you pull the weapon, be fully prepared to use it for the intended purpose, and fully prepared to deal with the situation afterward. The act is but the tip of the iceberg. Even if you are 100% in the right, and the law determines that you acted "as the reasonable and prudent man would". there are still going to be a civil lawsuit.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: lilcam
Yes ... exactly what I'm thinking. I'll shoot you if you try to harm my family but at the same time I wont put 8 bullets in you. One or two is enough to stop the person dead in his track. Why would I wanna kill someone? It doesnt make any sense. In that case, why wont the cops shoot a suspect to death when he/she tried to shoot at them?

I suggest you get some training because comments like that tell me you don't know wtf you're talking about. Bullets in general DO NOT STOP people in time to save your own ass unless you hit them in the head or central nervous system. You've been watching too many movies.

I think a bullet or two in my leg will stop me from moving for a bit. I'm not saying it's gonna immobolize the person but atleast it would impede them from doing anything further.

 

[ktehmok]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: lilcam
Yes ... exactly what I'm thinking. I'll shoot you if you try to harm my family but at the same time I wont put 8 bullets in you. One or two is enough to stop the person dead in his track. Why would I wanna kill someone? It doesnt make any sense. In that case, why wont the cops shoot a suspect to death when he/she tried to shoot at them?

I suggest you get some training because comments like that tell me you don't know wtf you're talking about. Bullets in general DO NOT STOP people in time to save your own ass unless you hit them in the head or central nervous system. You've been watching too many movies.

A very valid point. You do not shoot to kill, you shoot to stop the threat. If that means 8 rounds, or the entire magazine + a reload, then that's what you do.

Police officers shoot until the offender starts going down and the threat is neutralized. The military doctrinates "Two in the chest, one in the head", that doctrine pretty much ensures fatality every time though. So unless you're current/former military, you would most likely face civil charges, even if exonerated from criminal liability, ie; don't do that.

You should, or should I say "you must" research some videos of actual police shooting's to realize the effectiveness of firearms, so that you know what will happen to the human body (and what does not happen). You need to clear your head of Hollywood. That doesn't happen.

The truth is gory, but if you are going to carry a firearm, you need top be educated.

 

[ktehmok]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: lilcam
Yes ... exactly what I'm thinking. I'll shoot you if you try to harm my family but at the same time I wont put 8 bullets in you. One or two is enough to stop the person dead in his track. Why would I wanna kill someone? It doesnt make any sense. In that case, why wont the cops shoot a suspect to death when he/she tried to shoot at them?

I suggest you get some training because comments like that tell me you don't know wtf you're talking about. Bullets in general DO NOT STOP people in time to save your own ass unless you hit them in the head or central nervous system. You've been watching too many movies.

I think a bullet or two in my leg will stop me from moving for a bit. I'm not saying it's gonna immobolize the person but atleast it would impede them from doing anything further.

Never, I mean NEVER, attempt to shoot an attacker in the leg. Unless you want jail time and to pay their medical bills for the rest of your life. If you're going to shoot, then your life better be in danger. And then you will shoot to stop/end the threat, which means that you shoot "Center of Mass". And with any luck on your part, they will not survive the encounter to bother your life any further.

Edit: All of this advice my seem "cold-blooded", but this is life. It's a known fact that when a victim fight's back, a dead criminal means less hassle for the victim than one who survive's. There is always some a$$hole lawyer who will try to sue on the criminals behalf. What's the joke about 40,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?