"aim for the knees" is a horrible concept

[nodaywithout]

All to often when talking with someone about firearms I hear newbies say "I Will aim for their knees". I imagine this Concept is quite commonly heard regardless of whet you are geographically.

How do you respond to such a phrase?

For me I make two points both leading to my opinion that shooting for the knees is a horrible concept.

1 in Oklahoma the very use of a firearm is a lethal force decision. Shooting at the knees could be interpreted by a jury as a you not being in fear for your life leading to excessive force or other similar charges being placed against you.

2. the knees are a small moving target, under a adrenaline pumping situation such as a home intrusion, even some of the best shooters could not accurately hit the knees. Secondly if I were to draw my firearm it would only be because myself & or family are in imminent danger. If in imminent danger you don't want the bad guy to be able to kill you or your family, so if you shoot only shoot until the threat is over.

Yeah its nice to be able to be accurate, but I would rather test my accuracy on paper than in imminent danger.


what are your thoughts on this?

 

[rilkil23]

I would rather hit an attacker in the leg than sail rounds over their head. Sounds like a mafia shooting to aim at a persons knees.

 

[eagleeyes]

if a knee shot stopped the attack i say why not however it is a smaller can faster moving one at that than the torso and chest area i don't think a jury should discriminate as the shooter is trying to stop the threat it may take a shot in the knee and elsewhere to stop it but either way should be justified

 

[Rayb]

In my opinion, either while you are aiming at the knees you will be shot, otherwise you will be shot after you miss the small target. Like you said, if the threat was significant enough that my gun left its holster I will shoot to stop the threat immediately - center mass.

 

[cougar98332]

Many times there may not be the option of shooting em in the leg, they may be on top you slamming your head into the concrete. Also what others have said. Only someone who is truly a dumbass would tell you to shoot em anywhere other than center mass. Also if they have a gun and you shoot thiet knee out they can still shoot back.

 

[SGB]

All to often when talking with someone about forearms I hear newbies say "I Will atom for their knees". I imagine this Concept is quite commonly heard regardless of whet you are geographically.

How do you respond to such a phrase?

For me I make two points both leading to my opinion that shooting for the knees is a horrible concept.

1 in Oklahoma the very use of a firearm is a lethal force decision. Shooting at the knees could be interpreted by a jury as a you not being in fear for your life leading to excessive force or other similar charges being placed against you.

2. the knees are a small moving target, under a adrenaline pumping situation such as a home intrusion, even some of the best shooters could not accurately hit the knees. Secondly if I were to draw my firearm it would only be because myself & or family are in imminent danger. If in imminent danger you don't want the bad guy to be able to kill you or your family, so if you shoot only shoot until the threat is over.

Yeah its nice to be able to be accurate, but I would rather test my accuracy on paper than in imminent danger.


what are your thoughts on this?

I agree and would add that disabling the knees won't stop the hands from killing you.

 

[Shoobee]

All to often when talking with someone about forearms I hear newbies say "I Will atom for their knees". I imagine this Concept is quite commonly heard regardless of whet you are geographically.

How do you respond to such a phrase?

For me I make two points both leading to my opinion that shooting for the knees is a horrible concept.

1 in Oklahoma the very use of a firearm is a lethal force decision. Shooting at the knees could be interpreted by a jury as a you not being in fear for your life leading to excessive force or other similar charges being placed against you.

2. the knees are a small moving target, under a adrenaline pumping situation such as a home intrusion, even some of the best shooters could not accurately hit the knees. Secondly if I were to draw my firearm it would only be because myself & or family are in imminent danger. If in imminent danger you don't want the bad guy to be able to kill you or your family, so if you shoot only shoot until the threat is over.

Yeah its nice to be able to be accurate, but I would rather test my accuracy on paper than in imminent danger.


what are your thoughts on this?

I atom for knees all the time especially with forearms.

 

[Shoobee]

if a knee shot stopped the attack i say why not however it is a smaller can faster moving one at that than the torso and chest area i don't think a jury should discriminate as the shooter is trying to stop the threat it may take a shot in the knee and elsewhere to stop it but either way should be justified

You fell into the trap Eagleeyes.

A knee cap is a mayhem shot.

The right shoulder is a much better target.

But it all depends of you are atom-ing with your forearm or not.

 

[GLADad]

With adrenaline, increased heart rate, and high stress, etc. hitting center mass will be difficult enough, let alone a moving target the size of an grapefruit.
I think people say they'll aim at the threat's knees because they are not willing to potentially take a life to protect their own or their families, in which case they should probably carry a non-lethal weapon.

 

[Shoobee]

With adrenaline, increased heart rate, and high stress, etc. hitting center mass will be difficult enough, let alone a moving target the size of an grapefruit.
I think people say they'll aim at the threat's knees because they are not willing to potentially take a life to protect their own or their families, in which case they should probably carry a non-lethal weapon.

Thats why I prefer to go for the two watermellon sized targets, either the one on the left or the one on the right.

After such a shot the perp has very little time to get to a hospital for some serious chest surgery and patching up.

The perp's priorities suddenly all change as of that point.

 

[RJ_Whitlock]

In a self defense situation, I'm not giving him any chance to keep fighting. I'm aiming straight center mass and getting off as many shots as I can before he is disabled. Only one person is walking away from this situation, and I'm damn sure trying my hardest that it is me.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

I must be daft this morning...I have to re-read the OP because I didn't understand what "I WILL Atom for the knees" means. I googled the word "Atom" too, silly me! :lol: Or did I missed something?

 

[Chrisdrummer]

This sounds like the TV fantasies of 50's and 60's Westerns. "Just shoot the gun out of his hand." Sure, seen it on TV a hundred times. From 50 yards, even.

 

[The_Outlaw]

All to often when talking with someone about forearms I hear newbies say "I Will atom for their knees". I imagine this Concept is quite commonly heard regardless of whet you are geographically.
How do you respond to such a phrase?
For me I make two points both leading to my opinion that shooting for the knees is a horrible concept.
1 in Oklahoma the very use of a firearm is a lethal force decision. Shooting at the knees could be interpreted by a jury as a you not being in fear for your life leading to excessive force or other similar charges being placed against you.
2. the knees are a small moving target, under a adrenaline pumping situation such as a home intrusion, even some of the best shooters could not accurately hit the knees. Secondly if I were to draw my firearm it would only be because myself & or family are in imminent danger. If in imminent danger you don't want the bad guy to be able to kill you or your family, so if you shoot only shoot until the threat is over.
Yeah its nice to be able to be accurate, but I would rather test my accuracy on paper than in imminent danger.
what are your thoughts on this?

Well, it seemed to work out pretty good for Antonio Montana in the nightclub shootout scene....

 

[johnmed3]

Center mass as many and quickly as possible, to end the threat!

 

[eagleeyes]

that's why range time is important. i've only been to a range four times thus far and i can hit a target well but under stress is what i need to practice as if the situation does arrise i want to be quick and efficient i did practice my draw last time and did really good not using the sights but just drawing pointing and shooting but targets at the range are stationary but i think i'll do ok with a moving one and will aim for center chest no doubt

 

[araczynski]

if you're in a situation where it comes to the point of pulling a gun out and shooting someone to defend yourself/family, shoot to kill, period. not to main, not to wound, not to make a cripple, not for any other reason, but to kill, once and for all.

 

[araczynski]

I must be daft this morning...I have to re-read the OP because I didn't understand what "I WILL Atom for the knees" means. I googled the word "Atom" too, silly me! :lol: Or did I missed something?

probably another case of drive-by auto-correct on a phone or tablet.

 

[Nightmare45]

If I feel it necessary to discharge my weapon during a threat, the first two rounds will be center mass. Trying to wound will get you killed.

 

[localgirl]

Actually, a forearm to the knee can be effective. Elbows to the jaw, too.