Minister shoots intruder during break-in….

[ezkl2230]

The home alarm went off, he went to investigate, saw the intruder and cooked off a shot, grazing the intruder's head. The intruder was arrested when he left the hospital.

When asked if this was something he'd prepared for, Mr. Dudley answered, "No, ma'am. Absolutely not. Can't say that I was prepared for it. I don't know how you prepare for that."

Unfortunately, too many other people would have to respond the same way. They spend too little time training and preparing themselves - physically AND mentally - for this eventuality.

"Their drills are bloodless battles, their battles bloody drills," Flavius Josephus, ancient historian, regarding the Roman military's successes. They fought exactly as they trained.

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Men: it may be politically incorrect, but as the heads of our families, we are the primary authority figures in the home (Ephesians 5). As Romans 13:3-4 (ESV) says,

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, BE AFRAID [BE VERY AFRAID], FOR HE DOES NOT BEAR THE SWORD IN VAIN. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer," [emphasis, additional commentary added].

If you are on our property with my blessing, for the good of my family, you have nothing to fear.

If not….

 

[XD40scinNC]

Unfortunately, too many other people would have to respond the same way. They spend too little time training and preparing themselves - physically AND mentally - for this eventuality.

I really doubt that is what he meant when he said he was not ready, but that he was not prepared to shoot another human being, regardless of what they were doing at the time. And if you ever have to shoot someone in self-defense, I really suspect you would feel the same way, no matter how many paper targets you have shot in preparation.

 

[Paul_of_TX]

I really doubt that is what he meant when he said he was not ready, but that he was not prepared to shoot another human being, regardless of what they were doing at the time. And if you ever have to shoot someone in self-defense, I really suspect you would feel the same way, no matter how many paper targets you have shot in preparation.

I'm sure the scumbag layer representing the bad guy would love it if someone defending themselves said they prepared for the shooting. We all need to know before something happens what we are willing to do to protect ourselves. Part of that is what we do after the shooting. I would try to say as little as possible or most likely nothing at all. I definitely would not say I prepared for this particular scenario. That could so easily be turned around to look like you were wanting to shoot someone.

 

[ezkl2230]

I really doubt that is what he meant when he said he was not ready, but that he was not prepared to shoot another human being, regardless of what they were doing at the time. And if you ever have to shoot someone in self-defense, I really suspect you would feel the same way, no matter how many paper targets you have shot in preparation.

Has very little to do with how many paper targets I punch holes in. It has EVERYTHING to do with mentally preparing yourself to squeeze the trigger without hesitation should the need arise. I can't tell you how many people buy guns from our store "for self-defense" who also tell me they really don't know if they could actually squeeze the trigger when it all hits the fan; they THINK they could, but they just don't know.

I have said it before, and I will say it again: I do not subscribe to the notion that you really can't KNOW what you will do until you find yourself in a given situation. Can anyone anticipate EVERY situation with which they could possible be confronted? No. But can they be fundamentally prepared to handle any situation, have certain basics down cold? Absolutely. I can argue this biblically as well as from observation.

Biblically - "Daniel PURPOSED IN HIS HEART…" long before he was actually confronted with a life-threatening situation (Daniel 1:8). David, was so well acquainted with the use of his chosen weapon - the sling - that there was no doubt when he was forced to deal with Goliath, a scenario he could NEVER have imagined as a young boy - that he had both the skill AND mental preparedness to use it effectively in a high stress battle scenario (1 Samuel 17).

Observation: The US military, LEOs, firefighters, paramedics, and a host of other first responders spend billions of dollars and countless hours every year preparing themselves - physically AND mentally - to respond to situations they can't even begin to imagine. Yet, they develop the fundamental skills, become so thoroughly acquainted with the tools of their respective trades, and most importantly, develop the mental resolve that when they are confronted with any conceivable scenario, they have the tools and will to confront it.

The basic truth of the matter is that most people who purchase their firearm for defensive purposes are really so unconvinced that they will ever have to use it that they don't take the time to develop the mental readiness and resolve to allow them to accurately and safely bring that weapon to bear in an emergency situation.

As for XD40's argument - I don't even consider that valid.

 

[XD40scinNC]

Has very little to do with how many paper targets I punch holes in. It has EVERYTHING to do with mentally preparing yourself to squeeze the trigger without hesitation should the need arise. I can't tell you how many people buy guns from our store "for self-defense" who also tell me they really don't know if they could actually squeeze the trigger when it all hits the fan; they THINK they could, but they just don't know.

Have you ever shot someone in self-defense, in your home or place of business? Yes or no?

If not, then you have not cross that line of actually shooting someone, and you can only speculate how you would actually feel if/when you do. Once you pull that trigger, your have just open a whole can of emotions that you had no idea were coming, no matter how thick the scum on the scumbag is.

For a multitude of reasons the next to the last thing I want to do is shoot another person, even if totally justifiable, the last thing I want is to be their victim, so I will shoot without hesitation.

 

[Nightmare45]

I am not a minister, I train, I shoot well.

 

[USN2Pulpit]

I am a pastor, but I have not always been one. I train and I shoot reasonably well. I am prepared as one can be - but I hope it never happens...

 

[cluznar]

Sorry, but I do not feel bad about shooting someone who has broke in. This person could have robbery, murder, or rape on his mind. He is in my home at night possibly with a gun or knife. He was not invited and is a threat. I will give him a double tap to the chest and let police decide what to do with him. I don't like killing someone, but I don't like someone killing me even more.
:dirol:

 

[tcox4freedom]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The feeling of knowing you just took someone's life (even in SD), is not something I ever want to feel again! Thankfully, the person did survive. But, I absolutely felt awful, distraught & heart broken at the thought of what I had just done until I knew they would live.

As a Christian, my actual thoughts were not that I actually may have killed someone in self-defense. My thoughts of despair was that I just actually sent someone to HELL. (The feeling of "literally" sending someone to Hell was/is terrifying!)

As I've grown & matured in Christ, I come to understand "IF" the day ever comes where I'm called to protect myself or my family with deadly force again, it would NOT be me sending a BG to Hell It would be his own actions and rejection of God that sends them there.

Would I hesitate in defending myself because of my experience and belief?

NOPE! -- Your choosing to DIE in your sin is not my problem when you bring harm to me or my family.



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[mojoman]

I'm a Pastor also and I would hate the fact if I take a life, this is something that I can't fathom but if it come to protecting my family and the people in my church I would. Crime in churches these days are higher than it have ever been so I carry their but I trust in my God and do what I can.

 

[ezkl2230]

I'm a Pastor also and I would hate the fact if I take a life, this is something that I can't fathom but if it come to protecting my family and the people in my church I would. Crime in churches these days are higher than it have ever been so I carry their but I trust in my God and do what I can.

Work like everything depends on you, pray like everything depends on God.

 

[mojoman]

I agree and with all that is going on in the world you have to be aware even in the church, the area that my church is located is not bad but it's not all good either. I was at church for about 1:30 am studying and praying and I just happen to come out of my office and I found the door wide open. I'm like whats going on now so I had to look around the whole church to make sure that wasn't nobody inside but luckily nobody was in their. I really believe that I would have to use my gun for anything but I'm keeping and staying alert just the same.