How far before you pull your weapon?

[Guest Jamie]

+1

People who can't respond without being smart a$$ to someone are not nearly as much of an expert about everything as they think they are.

Who's claiming to be an expert here?

Also, wouldn't it be better to let the person the comment(s) were directed at decide whether or not he wants to be offended, rather than other folks jumping in and doing it for him?

Seems to me that Bubba has decided ( or is deciding ) he'd like to stand on his own two feet and fight his own fights, rather than let someone else do it for him.

So maybe some folks should pipe down and let him.... Who knows, he might just agree with some of what seems to be pissing other folks off.

Wadda ya think?

[Bubbatn]

Point taken and I'm honestly not trying to harsh on the guy, but by his own posts he's admitted he's basically scared to carry due to liability. He needs proper training and education by certified instructors, not differing opinions of gun forum members. TGO is great for information, but it can also be a minefield of bad information for a new gun owner.

My point was if he carries a gun with that mindset he is going to most likely get killed with his own gun or hurt/killed because he waits too long to use it.

I do have to admit that I am not the confrontational type, if I can avoid something....I do.

However the reason i'm asking these questions, again, are just out of curiousity. The main reason I thought about this stuff is not being scared of the liability aspect(legally), but more-so being able to live with myself knowing I made the right decision if I ever had to make that decisionv(heaven forbid).

So like I said, I am just asking for OPINIONS(what else is there really when it comes to a questions like this?). I don't need judgement upon myself or everyone getting into a tizzy about who's opinion is right.

Thanks to everyone who gave a legitament reply.

[Guest Jamie]

..but more-so being able to live with myself knowing I made the right decision if I ever had to make that decisionv(heaven forbid).

Unfortunately, that's one thing that no one else will ever be able to tell you, if you find yourself having to shoot someone... whether or not you made the right decision, or could/should have done something differently.

Yeah, everybody will have an opinion of it, but it'll pretty much be worthless, since they'll likely have not been there to make the decision.

And even for that, even you yourself may not know the answer to that question. It's just something you have to be prepared to deal with, should it happen.

[Punisher84]

I do have to admit that I am not the confrontational type, if I can avoid something....I do.

However the reason i'm asking these questions, again, are just out of curiousity. The main reason I thought about this stuff is not being scared of the liability aspect(legally), but more-so being able to live with myself knowing I made the right decision if I ever had to make that decisionv(heaven forbid).

So like I said, I am just asking for OPINIONS(what else is there really when it comes to a questions like this?). I don't need judgement upon myself or everyone getting into a tizzy about who's opinion is right.

Thanks to everyone who gave a legitament reply.

Can't really add much that Jamie didn't say above, but I'll say this and leave it be. Carrying a gun is a big responsibility, you seem to be well aware of that, and it can protect you or get you killed. There's the saying about if you carry there is always at least one gun in the fight? If you're not prepared to use it, it may very well be used against you.

I admit I did a poor job of addressing this initially and just kinda piggy backed on Spoolie's comment without any sort of further statement. The thing about TGO is there is alot of good information here that sometimes gets missed among the off-topic posts, bashing posts, and general mess that comes with forums. There is also alot of bad, illegal, and potentially deadly information that gets put out. Luckily most of the mods here catch that stuff pretty quick, but it does get through. Point of all that is if you truly aren't ready to carry and can't/won't accept the possibility of dealing with the repercussions of shooting someone...don't carry a gun, because you could end up making a bad situation worse merely by having it. Far fetched? Most likely, but then again most of the members here have not even drawn their gun or been in a SD situation either, but they still carry.

[K191145]

Who's claiming to be an expert here?

Also, wouldn't it be better to let the person the comment(s) were directed at decide whether or not he wants to be offended, rather than other folks jumping in and doing it for him?

Seems to me that Bubba has decided ( or is deciding ) he'd like to stand on his own two feet and fight his own fights, rather than let someone else do it for him.

So maybe some folks should pipe down and let him.... Who knows, he might just agree with some of what seems to be pissing other folks off.

Wadda ya think?

Comments like, "he shouldn't be carrying a gun" or "he will be killed before he draws" etc. are not very polite so to speak, especially since we really don't know the person. I personally don't make instant decisions about everything, it took a little time before I decided to get my permit and I asked myself alot of "what ifs" before I decided. I still go through senerios in my head from time to time, what if, what would you do, how would you do it etc.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

People can give scenarios all day long and someone will always have an answer for that scenario, but

until you are in a situation where you need to draw, I imagine there will always be doubt.

I look at every place I go and consider what could happen. I do a little mental exercise and try to

become a bit more aware of possible situations where I might have to draw my weapon, all the while

hoping I never have to. I have only become concerned a couple of times and have avoided situations,

so far. I'd say Jamie has some good experience to "draw" from. I don't expect to have to use my

weapon, but I'm damned sure thinking about it everywhere I go. I'm usually a easy going guy and

don't like to get into arguments. I'm a bit polite. Someone else will always cause the problem and if

I see a problem I try to get to a defendable or safe position so I don't have to get caught up in the

moment and do something dumb. If it gets to the hair tingling phase and I don't have time to do that,

it's probably not going to end well for someone, hopefully the other guy.

There ain't no easy answer.

[enfield]

After I walk away, or attempt to, any 'laying on of hands' will probably result in a laying on of Smith & Wesson.

[Punisher84]

Comments like, "he shouldn't be carrying a gun" or "he will be killed before he draws" etc. are not very polite so to speak, especially since we really don't know the person. I personally don't make instant decisions about everything, it took a little time before I decided to get my permit and I asked myself alot of "what ifs" before I decided. I still go through senerios in my head from time to time, what if, what would you do, how would you do it etc.

Going over scenarios are fine, but do you really think it's bad advice to tell someone they will most likely be killed, possibly by their own weapon, if they fail to act? I fleshed out my explanation more than a few times in this thread now. I'm not trying to be an *******, but I'm not gonna coddle the guy. He asked a question, it got answered several times. After that it's the old "what-if" game that no one has the answers to.

[Guest Guy N. Cognito]

Who's claiming to be an expert here?

Also, wouldn't it be better to let the person the comment(s) were directed at decide whether or not he wants to be offended, rather than other folks jumping in and doing it for him?

Seems to me that Bubba has decided ( or is deciding ) he'd like to stand on his own two feet and fight his own fights, rather than let someone else do it for him.

So maybe some folks should pipe down and let him.... Who knows, he might just agree with some of what seems to be pissing other folks off.

Wadda ya think?

I think I'm glad somebody stuck up for the new guy, who was asking aloud the same questions we've all asked before.......even if were too "manly" to admit it.

A few of you certainly didn't mind dogpiling on bubba, why should he have to deal with that alone?

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Going over scenarios are fine, but do you really think it's bad advice to tell someone they will most likely be killed, possibly by their own weapon, if they fail to act? I fleshed out my explanation more than a few times in this thread now. I'm not trying to be an *******, but I'm not gonna coddle the guy. He asked a question, it got answered several times. After that it's the old "what-if" game that no one has the answers to.

Good point, Punisher! That's when it's definitely time to act: before you get yourself killed. Everything else is moot.

[Guest Jamie]

Comments like, "he shouldn't be carrying a gun" or "he will be killed before he draws" etc. are not very polite so to speak, especially since we really don't know the person. I personally don't make instant decisions about everything, it took a little time before I decided to get my permit and I asked myself alot of "what ifs" before I decided. I still go through senerios in my head from time to time, what if, what would you do, how would you do it etc.

Do you want "polite" or the f**king truth? Because too many times, the truth AIN'T polite. It ain't courteous, it ain't friendly, and it ain't pretty. And far too often, it's the last thing anybody wants to hear.

As I said, questions were asked, and answers were given. Truthful answers. Anybody wanting more than that probably should be in church or something...

[enfield]

Before we get into any more of "who's offended the most?" and more righteous indignation, why don't we all pull on our big boy pants and walk away?

Life's tough, the internet is cruel, the truth isn't always pleasant.

Play nice!

[Guest spoolie]

Wow...didn't mean to stir up **** like this. After reading the OP's first few post, I got the impression he is very unsure and maybe scared...so I made the post of my thoughts. My opinion is this, if you're questioning your ability/morals this early into the game....maybe you're not the type that needs a gun in their life at this moment. It's a big responsibility that some aren't ready for.

[Guest Jamie]

Before we get into any more of "who's offended the most?" and more righteous indignation, why don't we all pull on our big boy pants and walk away?

Life's tough, the internet is cruel, the truth isn't always pleasant.

Play nice!

Now you know I AM playing nice. If ya didn't, you'd have already PMed me.

[Guest Jamie]

Now you know I AM playing nice. If ya didn't, you'd have already PMed me.

... and never mind that you can't exactly play at all if you up and walk away.

Edit: Well damn... that didn't exactly go "as planned".

Ah well, I'm gonna just leave it anyway... even though it looks like I'm talkin' to myself...

[aquaman67]

Yes, and one poor bastard got charged for having a gun on school property because he DIDN'T point his gun at his attacker.

Anyone else remember that one? I'm still trying to dig up the old article on it. The judge said if he'd actually pointed the gun at the fellow threatening him with a knife, he wouldn't have had to charge him. It was at a school baseball game or something of the like, if I recall correctly.

The point being here that you have to be dealing with - or believe you're dealing with - a valid threat, not simply trying to look like a tough guy or something.

Wow,

This thread really went places after I went to bed!

And yes, I remember when the guy pulled and didn't point and got in trouble.

That wasn't the one I was thinking of with my brandishing remark though.

This thread is heading in the same direction as the 14 pager I linked on page 2....

Stay Safe Everyone!

[MikePapa1]

There is no such charge in TN.

Aggravated assault maybe, but not "brandishing".

- OS

Maybe Agg Assault but more likely, Reckless Endangerment. Both are felonies, the first a "C" and the second an "E."

[Guest clownsdd]

Jamie has said it all very well

[daddyo]

The simple, short answer: When I come to the realization that there is an imminent, deadly threat to my well-being or that of a loved one.

Edited December 17, 2010 by DaddyO

[RobertNashville]

Now O.S., you know some folks can't be bothered to read the whole thread... even if it's only 4 pages long.

Okay guys...I didn't mean to step on anybody's toes here...I try to read whole threads before I step in but sometimes I don't and sometimes I simply miss something...it happens when you become an old fart (or so I'm told, anyway).

[DaveTN]

I will pull my weapon when I need to; not just because I am justified in pulling it.

I will take an azz whipping before I will shoot someone.

I will not be in a fight or running my mouth while I am armed, so it would require that someone be attacking me while I am trying to walk away.

I carry a weapon to defend myself if I am attacked by a criminal; not so I can scare someone when I have let my mouth overload my azz.

I will not risk going to prison and leaving my family alone, or financially destroying my family by having to defend myself in a shooting. Please don’t post stupid clichés like “It is better to be ….â€

Give specific scenarios and we can all give our opinions. They are worthless; but it is entertainment.

[Guest Jamie]

Give specific scenarios and we can all give our opinions. They are worthless; but it is entertainment.

Every great once in a while, the universe stutters to a stop for just a second, time stands still.... and Dave and I actually agree on something... Amazing, isn't it?

[Guest Jamie]

Okay guys...I didn't mean to step on anybody's toes here...I try to read whole threads before I step in but sometimes I don't and sometimes I simply miss something...it happens when you become an old fart (or so I'm told, anyway).

Oh don't worry about it... my toes are fine. Giggin' you a bit was just a brief, and probably failed, attempt at lightening the mood some.

[K191145]

Do you want "polite" or the f**king truth? Because too many times, the truth AIN'T polite. It ain't courteous, it ain't friendly, and it ain't pretty. And far too often, it's the last thing anybody wants to hear.

As I said, questions were asked, and answers were given. Truthful answers. Anybody wanting more than that probably should be in church or something...

No need to lecture me about truth and life, I know a little bit about it.

[Guest Jamie]

No need to lecture me about truth and life, I know a little bit about it.

You get as good as you give, around here.