Draw to stop a fist fight?

[Pir8fan]

Hi,

I'm curious about something. Today at a local secretary of state office here in Michigan, a guy started a fist fight with a couple other people. This was a guy beating a guy until the point he was about knocked out. It got me and a friend raising the question, could we draw to try and stop this fight? I've searched all over, and I can't find a good answer. Could someone help with this? Maybe even share how other states handle it if you're not from Michigan?

-Dan

In a word...No!

 

[BC1]

For what it is worth, in Michigan if it is found that your shooting was defensive and necessary, you are immune from civil prosecution.

That's a good law. Its the way every state should be. In NY w rely on jury nullification and that's way too thin.

 

[Diehard1]

No way. Bad idea. Unless the disparity of force would lead you (reasonable person) to believe grave bodily harm (comma, brain damage,ect) or death would result. Healthy adult male vs. Healthy adult male is not life threatening in the eyes of the law. Unless, again, the disparity of force is that of say healthy adult male vs. Elderly, healthy adult male vs female, healthy adult male 6ft4 & 300 lbs vs healthy adult male 5ft2 110 lbs. outnumbered or overmatched by a good margin you are in the legal right to defend yourself, those under the mantle of your care. These apply in ALL use of deadly force incidents, whomever is being protected

 

[Diehard1]

Also, unless you know for a fact who the victim really is, as it may actually not be the person getting their ass kicked, you should just not intervene if you are carrying. And chances are most likely that most of the time, I've found anyway, that said person deserved what they got for one reason or another. Concealed carry gives you the right to protection, not law enforcement.

 

[Riverkilt]

True story in Arizona. Friend of mine got into a road rage mess. They pulled over and the other guy raced up to my friend and started punching him in the face through the driver's side window. Broke my friend's glasses. Friend got out his service .45, exited the car and drew down on the other guy. Other guy was drunk and grabbed at the .45 and pulled it. Friend's finger was on the trigger and the pistol discharged hitting the other guy in the aorta. He bled out and died. My friend did five years in state prison for manslaughter. The prosecutor and the judge said, "You were the victim until you introduced a pistol into a fist fight." Shoulda called 911 but this was back when cell phones were more expensive and rarer. No, the NRA did not send attorneys to defend my friend. The drunk guy who started the road rage my friend bought into and who was the assailant, became the martyr once he was dead.

 

[BC1]

True story in Arizona. Friend of mine got into a road rage mess. They pulled over and the other guy raced up to my friend and started punching him in the face through the driver's side window. Broke my friend's glasses. Friend got out his service .45, exited the car and drew down on the other guy. Other guy was drunk and grabbed at the .45 and pulled it. Friend's finger was on the trigger and the pistol discharged hitting the other guy in the aorta. He bled out and died. My friend did five years in state prison for manslaughter. The prosecutor and the judge said, "You were the victim until you introduced a pistol into a fist fight." Shoulda called 911 but this was back when cell phones were more expensive and rarer. No, the NRA did not send attorneys to defend my friend. The drunk guy who started the road rage my friend bought into and who was the assailant, became the martyr once he was dead.

Sorry, I have no sympathy for your friend. I'm a PP instructor. I teach awareness, avoidance, deterrence, de-escalation and retreat as the primary defensive tactic. In many states if you participate in the escalation of an incident you may not later claim self-defense.
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Can anyone guess the proper behavior on the part of the shooter? Well, it starts with ignoring asses. As I got older my driving slowed down. Hell, I have kids in baby seats giving me the finger. I don't react. I don't respond. I don't acknowledge them. I don't even look their way. And they generally go about their business. As soon as he pulled-over and got out of his car he participated in the escalation. His job is to come home safe to his family every day. His job is to be a father and provider. He owes that debt to his wife and kids. Can't do that from a cell.
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He was convicted of stupidity. I keep telling people when you use a gun you will likely ruin your life, even if you're 100% right. A tool of last resort when a fight is unavoidable.

 

[CharlesMorrison]

Play stupid games, Win stupid prizes...


Sent from behind Enemy Lines.

 

[CapGun]

Doesn't matter who is the right side. If the guy is beating on him until he is pretty much unconscious it should be over, the guy who is nearly unconscious is no longer a threat. So, to continue beating is also against the law.

Exactly what I was thinking. Doesn't matter who was "right" or "wrong". Once the threat has been stopped it is no longer a "lawful application" of deadly force!

 

[CapGun]

Or... the one getting beat pulled a knife and attacked the other, and the one doing the beating got lucky and is now using the only method he can to stop the threat. I'm not saying he should be beaten beyond unconsciousness, but in that case I'd make d@mn sure he was down for the count before letting go.

I DO believe you would! Not past the point but just unconscious!:yu:

 

[Yaki]

I'm not from Michigan but roo many variables.
Heck the guy getting beat might ha e raped his sister or daughter or son etc.
Unless you know the facts be a witness and call 911. You could yell the police are here or something to try and stop the action but i'm not risking my life and freedom when I don't know what's going on. Could be an anti gun liberal your protecting lol.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using USA Carry mobile app

 

[gundaddypv]

If someone gets hit butt whooped in a fight then fair is fair. However, once the loser is down, if kicking or other assault continues, then the fight must be stopped. I guess I'd have to be there to decide what to do. First-person experience is better than armchair quarterback.