Are Warning Shots a Good Idea?

[Firefighterchen]

ET is going to be ignoring a lot of people soon....wonder when he will bust out his imaginary forum review website again.

Sent from my D6616 using USA Carry mobile app

 

[Axeanda45]

The question wasn't can a warning shot sometimes work out just fine, the question was are they a good idea. I don't think they're ever a good idea whether you get away with it or not.

You didnt even effing read what I wrote did you?

Here it is AGAIN because you were too stupid to comprehend it the first time.....


Now, would it be a good idea to try one instead of shooting your assailant? In my opinion, no....

 

[Axeanda45]

IF it hits a bystander, YOU are the one who's screwed.

Increasing the risk to innocent third parties in order to decrease the risk to an assailant using or credibly and immediately threatening unlawful use of deadly force against you seems like a sucker bet to me.



People without parachutes have fallen thousands of feet from bombers that were shot down. That's not something I'd bet my life on.

Where in my post did I even hint that the warning shot hit anyone????? If you want to quote me and talk about what I wrote, make sure I said what you accused me of first....

 

[Eidolon]

You didnt even effing read what I wrote did you?

I kinda make a point of not reading what you wrote.

 

[Eidolon]

You just can’t fix stupid.

Sure I can come up with anecdotal evidence that a warning shot worked in a given situation I can also tell you about times (when I was a kid) that I drove my car stoned out of my gourd and didn’t kill anyone or get a ticket but that doesn’t mean it was a good idea or something you should plan on being able to do.


You can’t have it both ways, if you can tell me that you had time to assess the situation, draw your gun, choose a known safe direction/ target, take aim and put your bullet right there then I’m going to tell you that you weren’t in imminent danger of losing your life or suffering grievous bodily harm.


Anytime you put a round downrange you assume liability for where that round lands and you should always assume there are witnesses and even if you don’t call the cops you should assume they will. Once the police are involved you aren’t control anymore, they are and they don’t give one small damn about your “personal rules of engagement.”


If you, by your actions, cause me to reasonably believe that that my life or the life of my loved ones is in danger then you assume 100% responsibility for any injury you incur if I respond with deadly force.

 

[ET]

Just consider this. There is not a single firearms instructor that teaches warning shots. Watch the video I posted if you actually care about someone else's opinion! If not, you are free to maintain your "rules of engagement," but you will have to live with critique in this Forum.

I called the action of firing a warning shot plain stupid, not you. As you stated in your earlier post, you have not fired a warning shot. Instead, you actually gave a verbal warning. Why consider firing a warning shot now in a similar situation, instead of giving a verbal warning like in the past? This makes no sense.

As for taking someone's life, you do understand that the choice in this discussion is to either give a verbal warning or fire a warning shot. In other words, you already made the choice to give a warning in a particular situation, instead of immediately shooting to stop the lethal threat. Firing a warning shot is more dangerous in this situation, instead of giving a verbal warning, as it has a significantly higher potential for unintended consequences. That's why it is plain stupid.

As for my actual self defense experience, I am just not mentioning it in every second post like you. I have posted about some of that in the past in this Forum when it provided any value. Instead of bragging about my own experience, I rather rely on the advise of well-known firearms instructors, like James Yeager or Rob Pincus, to make a valid argument. In this case, both agree that turning a lethal weapon into a signaling device is just plain stupid (Warning Shots - Personal Defense Network).

Merry Christmas!

there are 27,591 registered NRA instructors, and you know them all? WOW....
I saw a home video used by a NRA instructor to show how a warning shot cause the release of a young girl being abducted from a home invasion, If the choice is warning shot or kill someone Ill take the warning shot if it accomplishes the mission.. the Kill shot will turn your life around, however a warning shot could leave you almost as untouched as if the altercation did not occur. No guarantee with a warning shot, But if the chance to avoid killing someone is possible, Ill take that chance, given the right situation. I also see many many instructors teaching unload your weapon at the first opportunity to stop the threat... that is so far against what I learned in 22 months of combat.. Ill never unload my weapon and will employ controlled fire in burst of three. leaving something in the event I would miss two burst ..Most altercations in civilian life last less than 30 seconds.. and there is no need to reload or have the time to reload.. But I always carry an extra clip. Its what I do , and Ill continue to do it that way.. I don't really care how others handle their personal defense.. I did well in my two experiences.. conbsidering the final results..
AS to someone criticizing me for mentioning my experience " Every other post ", its only because 99% of the people posting what to do and how to do it,, never had to defend their life or their family..in a real life situation.

 

[Deanimator]

Where in my post did I even hint that the warning shot hit anyone?????

The point is that it's foolish (at least unless you carry a clearing barrel around with you) to assume that it WON'T.

The cop who tried to shoot the snake out of the tree wasn't trying to shoot the kid on another block... whom he KILLED. But he did.

 

[bofh]

there are 27,591 registered NRA instructors, and you know them all? WOW....
I saw a home video used by a NRA instructor to show how a warning shot cause the release of a young girl being abducted from a home invasion, If the choice is warning shot or kill someone Ill take the warning shot if it accomplishes the mission.. the Kill shot will turn your life around, however a warning shot could leave you almost as untouched as if the altercation did not occur. No guarantee with a warning shot, But if the chance to avoid killing someone is possible, Ill take that chance, given the right situation. I also see many many instructors teaching unload your weapon at the first opportunity to stop the threat... that is so far against what I learned in 22 months of combat.. Ill never unload my weapon and will employ controlled fire in burst of three. leaving something in the event I would miss two burst ..Most altercations in civilian life last less than 30 seconds.. and there is no need to reload or have the time to reload.. But I always carry an extra clip. Its what I do , and Ill continue to do it that way.. I don't really care how others handle their personal defense.. I did well in my two experiences.. conbsidering the final results..
AS to someone criticizing me for mentioning my experience " Every other post ", its only because 99% of the people posting what to do and how to do it,, never had to defend their life or their family..in a real life situation.

Again, the choice is not between firing a warning shot or killing someone. The choice is between firing a warning shot or giving a verbal warning. Firing a warning shot is ALWAYS more risky than giving a verbal warning.

If you talk about the choice between giving a warning or immediately shooting someone. That is a totally different issue and depends on the situation. In any case, that warning should not be firing a shot, because you might injure or kill someone with it unintentionally. Again, watch the video I posted. This is exactly what James Yeager talks about. You are trying to do less by actually doing more.

Can you name one NRA instructor out of the 27,591 you mentioned that does teach firing a warning shot?

As for unloading the gun on someone, you shoot until the threat stops. Your three-round burst may very well consist of 2 misses and one hit. Using the Mozambique drill, your three shots may very well be two into the body armor and one miss for the head. Stopping and reassessing the situation may very well get you killed.

Just an FYI, that three-round burst thing is for rifles in military combat and not pistols in personal self defense. Rifles have significantly higher stopping power than pistols. 80% of handgun wounds are survivable.

Note that some instructors teach to ALWAYS do a tactical reload when possible, to avoid an emergency reload. A secondary magazine is always a good idea, in case of a malfunction. I had once a magazine falling out while firing. I just loaded my secondary magazine and continued firing without even thinking about that I just experienced a malfunction.

Your 99% number is made up and you pretty much judge everyone without knowing their background and without even considering their viewpoint. As you said, you don't really care how others handle their personal defense. That's your freedom to do so, but be ready for getting criticized for it.

 

[SR9]

Don't forget, even if you fire a warning shot up in the air, what goes up must come down. And, it may be a mile away, but you are still legally responsible.

 

[eyenut]

I would not. Only clear leather if you have to fire, only fire when you need to use deadly force.

This is the only thought and option that I could possibly imagine. That is, if I could even think to my fullest if the critical moment should surface.
I hope that I nor anyone ever has to be in that ugly position.

Merry Christmas all!

 

[XD40scinNC]

Don't forget, even if you fire a warning shot up in the air, what goes up must come down. And, it may be a mile away, but you are still legally responsible.

Correct, your are legally responsible for every single round that leaves the muzzle of your gun. No if's and's or but's and no exceptions.

 

[Kramer1113]

IMHO, Warning Shots Are A Great Idea As Long As They Hit Center Mass.
Otherwise, They Are A Very Bad Idea.

 

[RJT CCW]

Like I said.. I don't care what other people choose to do, or how they work out a scenario in their head in the event they are mugged.. I'll go with my thought process and my odds.. two attacks on me in 30 years.. no one shot and no one hurt.. no legal issues and no sleepless nights. I say, my two encounter were 100 % effective with no permanent damage... and the absolute right thing to do, and in both cases, I had the legal right to use up to and including lethal force.

IM just sharing two real life incidents in my life that went right... the very same situation could have ended up much different... I may have had to shoot the manwho attacked my wife, or shot all three of those thugs out by the airport. Both of those incidents were 9 years apart.

I get it, you have been very fortunate. A third time may not be as charming sir.

But more importantly, people read your stories and may say to themselves, look it worked out for Mr. ET, I should carry out the way he handles situations. And they do, and they end up in jail because they followed your advice.

Best of luck to you sir, as you have been fortunate so far.

 

[ET]

I get it, you have been very fortunate. A third time may not be as charming sir.

But more importantly, people read your stories and may say to themselves, look it worked out for Mr. ET, I should carry out the way he handles situations. And they do, and they end up in jail because they followed your advice.
of all
Best of luck to you sir, as you have been fortunate so far.

First of all. I said, this is what I've done in the past and that I don't really care how others handle their own personal protection. I also said in my two encounters, the thought of a warning shot never occurred to me... I also said in both cases I shouted a verbal command, that with the display of my weapon was enough to defuse a life threatening encounter. I did say that if a warning shot would achieve the same end, then I would exhaust that before firing a shot..
As far as my good fortune... I survived 22 month in Vietnam and Cambodia ( almost ). My point was that shouting a warning, or firing a warning would be a better choice " for me " than killing someone, if the warning accomplished the mission. People can argue the best method all they want.. I have been fortunate both in combat and in Civilian Life. IM 70 years old with advanced stage Cancer and my luck is running out.. Not a drama post, just a statement of fact... Chemical defoliants from the 60's are catching up to me.

 

[Eidolon]

IM 70 years old with advanced stage Cancer and my luck is running out.. Not a drama post, just a statement of fact... Chemical defoliants from the 60's are catching up to me.

Story keeps getting better

 

[Axeanda45]

I have used a warning shot before... and it did exactly what I meant it to do, and I was actually praised by some of the same ones now nay-saying in this thread.... Funny how hypocritical some of those on here are....



A warning shot sent to someplace safe (mine went into the backstop of my home firing range) is perfectly fine.... You do need to have the time to think about where can I place this shot so it wont harm anyone, and does it stand a chance of working in this situation? (ending the threat)...


Those on here spouting off bullcrap that it is NEVER EVER EVER A GOOD IDEA are idiots of the highest degree.... there are NO ABSOLUTES in life (besides God) and to claim something should NEVER be done just because you cannot fathom that there are times it could work is a sign of limited intelligence...


IF you dont like warning shots, FINE, dont effing do it........ But stop ridiculing those who can comprehend that it is just another tool you have that can work when the conditions are right.....

 

[Eidolon]

I have used a warning shot before... and it did exactly what I meant it to do, and I was actually praised by some of the same ones now nay-saying in this thread.... Funny how hypocritical some of those on here are....



A warning shot sent to someplace safe (mine went into the backstop of my home firing range) is perfectly fine.... You do need to have the time to think about where can I place this shot so it wont harm anyone, and does it stand a chance of working in this situation? (ending the threat)...


Those on here spouting off bullcrap that it is NEVER EVER EVER A GOOD IDEA are idiots of the highest degree.... there are NO ABSOLUTES in life (besides God) and to claim something should NEVER be done just because you cannot fathom that there are times it could work is a sign of limited intelligence...


IF you dont like warning shots, FINE, dont effing do it........ But stop ridiculing those who can comprehend that it is just another tool you have that can work when the conditions are right.....

I remember that thread and I also remember that at the time you VEHEMENTLY (get out a dictionary) denied that you were doing anything but basic target practice in your backyard completely unrelated to your neighbor’s activity.

I live in an unincorporated and rural area with neighbors within 50 yds of my house (in 3 directions). A few days ago, there were some visitors at one of the neighbors, and they got into a fight with another neighbor... It started getting out of hand with actual fists making contact and such, so I decided it was time to take a shot at my normal target in my yard (25 ft from where I was standing) with my .357 snubby.... The fight stopped immediately, I wonder why?


Wow, a firearm stopped a fight and it wasnt even involved in it, imagine that....


BTW, my target and backstop (hillside) was in the opposite direction.... oh, ALL the neighbors have since been by and thanked me....

(I guess I have baited this post with the title, lol.... eidolon was first to get a stick up his azz over his own imagination, lmao)

 

[Axeanda45]

I remember that thread and I also remember that at the time you VEHEMENTLY (get out a dictionary) denied that you were doing anything but basic target practice in your backyard completely unrelated to your neighbor’s activity.

Yep... But my "practice shot" stopped the fight, imagine that..... Oh yeh, you are incapable of rational thought, sorry....
Anyway... a discharge of a firearm, that was shot in a safe direction into a safe target, stopped bad guys from doing bad things, yet some on here (including YOU Eideyboy), DENY THAT IT WORKS OR THAT YOU SHOULD EVER DO IT.... I am just stating the OBVIOUS, that it is a tool that can be used in certain situations...

 

[Eidolon]

yet some on here (including YOU Eideyboy), DENY THAT IT WORKS OR THAT YOU SHOULD EVER DO IT.... I am just stating the OBVIOUS, that it is a tool that can be used in certain situations...

Please show me where I denied that a warning shot could work?

Sure I can come up with anecdotal evidence that a warning shot worked in a given situation I can also tell you about times (when I was a kid) that I drove my car stoned out of my gourd and didn’t kill anyone or get a ticket but that doesn’t mean it was a good idea or something you should plan on being able to do.

Please be specific

 

[Deanimator]

a discharge of a firearm, that was shot in a safe direction into a safe target,

In just about any situation I find myself, the "safe target" is going to be my assailant, and HE isn't all THAT safe, given that I could miss or get a through and through (which is why I NEVER carry FMJs).

Firing a firearm in self-defense is DANGEROUS no matter the target. Why incur that danger WITHOUT neutralizing the threat?

Most of the instances I've heard of where somebody failed in an attempt at armed self-defense, the victim hesitated in some way. People win fights by gaining and maintaining the initiative.

If I pull a gun, it's going to be because I plan to fire it, and into an immediate and credible threat until it's no longer a threat. After a lot of though, I'm not about a firearm for "negotiating", threats, or anything of the sort. If I pull a gun, it's to SHOOT, and without more hesitation than it takes for the fundamentals of basic pistol marksmanship to be exercised. That's not much time at all. If my assailant flees or submits in that INFINITESIMAL amount of time, I won't shoot. He shouldn't bet his life on that happening. I'm certainly not going to bet mine.