Stopping Force vs Deadly Force

Absolutely. But the OP was talking about using stopping force vs deadly force. His questions were about firing a reduced damage shot vs deadly shot at a physical threat. I was just saying that once the firearm is pulled it becomes a deadly threat no matter whether you shoot, where you shoot, or don’t shoot. The key to his questions is if the perp is a physical threat. That is where you have to make your decision. Will his actions cause you death or great bodily harm? This is a different decision for everyone according to their health, their ability, their size, and on and on. In my case, I have already had 2 hemorrhagic strokes and 4 heat attacks. A standard physical threat to someone else could very easily make me unalive.

7 Likes

Good question.
I think that is Gods decision. I only pull my gun if in danger of grave bodily harm or death. If I have to second guess my self I don’t shoot. I don’t shoot to kill . I shoot to stop the threat. It is up to God if the perp dies or not.
Edit- the question for me is shoot to stop the threat or don’t shoot because there isn’t a threat. I don’t shoot to kill. That is up to God.

1 Like

Thinking—or overthinking—could prove fatal in the course of a self-defense situation.

8 Likes

Pulling your weapon out and “shooting to injure” is a great way to get yourself killed. This isn’t Hollywood and you’re not Jason Bourne.

Stopping a threat probably means taking a life. If your moral compass won’t allow that, trade in your pistol for pepper spray. No judgement, by the way. One job I worked while in the military (EOD) was a pacifists position in WWII. You can be badass without being a killer.

5 Likes

If you cannot escape (get away), but need to respond, and absolutely, positively, do not want the attacker to die, do not respond with deadly force. Guns, knives, clubs, and motor vehicles are all deadly force. Non-deadly force tools include grappling (e.g. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / BJJ), pepper spray (OC), Byrna “guns,” and tasers. Pepper spray is usable at 10-15 feet, as is Byrna. Non-LEO tasers generally require direct contact at hand-to-hand closeness. I am not sure civilians can buy the wired-gun Tasers for personal use.

5 Likes

I have heard it said by many, both religious and not truly religious, that God gave humans “free will”. I do not remember seeing that in the Bible. Do you subscribe to that philosophy.

2 Likes

Tasers are illegal up here in the “Nort”.

1 Like

Yes I do believe God gave us a free will. I also believe he gave us a conscience. It’s whether or not I believe in God that gives me trouble

2 Likes

Yet you leave the life or death decisions to him?

3 Likes

Clint has got some great quotes. Here’s another when he is talking about terminal ballistics.

4 Likes

Words to live by Brother.

4 Likes

Arsenal Dad's Shotgun

That’s why I bought Loretta pictured above. Remington 870 Tactical, Magpul furniture, Mesa Tactical side saddle w/ rail and a Pumkin Puncher from HFD.com.

Too bad I lost her in the in the unfortunate stripper/mud slide incident in Bora-Bora

4 Likes

I guess one could say it’s up to the perp if he doesn’t believe in God. It’s a hypothetical situation so I guess it doesn’t really matter.

1 Like

The Johari Window from the Military version of Psychology 101 would work well for this. You never know what you will do in a particular situation until that situation arrives. You can train yourself to do everything up to that point, but something in your brain could scream and you don’t do whatever it is you trained for. Then you will know if you have it in you. Many do. Most do not.

Taking another life is not something we want to do unless our brains are already malfunctioning. I do not shoot to terminate a life, but to terminate the threat. If the bad guy dies as a result of his injuries when I shoot to stop the threat, so be it. He should not have been in my house threatening me and my family. End of story.

The choice to take a life is up to the shooter to decide. Before one makes that decision, they need to realize the faces belonging to the lives they take will stay with them forever. That is a voice of experience. It’s been over 30 years and I still see their faces when I sleep.

If a homeowner feels he/she is not capable of taking a life in a home defense situation, that homeowner need not purchase a firearm.

10 Likes

God gave the person wanting to do harm to someone else the free will. They chose whether to cause harm or not. If they choose harm, they bring the repercussions

I am free to carry or not. I am free to use my weapon or not. Call it anything you want, based on your belief system, or lack of belief system.

5 Likes

Only by the laws of your state and federal govt.

2 Likes

Now you bring laws into a religous debate? :rofl:

TWEEEEEEET

Foul on the play
Straw man fallacy
15 yard penalty
Automatic 1st down

5 Likes

That’s some funny chizz.

2 Likes

Just came back from (4) year Requal: (96) .9mm (96) .44 Mag. In my defense I am rusty
and my leg was hurting…any other excuses wussie-boy?
Hey, a Squirrel.!
Anaconda’s a BEAST! Ooh Rah!
(15) rounds then (10) 3 yards, 7 yards and (for Giggles 20 yards!)
She is Awesome! (“Annie”) Get it? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
image

9 Likes

@Mark879 Welcome to the community!

1 Like