I'm new to CCW, about few months away from my CHL class and few more months before getting my CHL permit....So I have a question for you, guys...Let's say someone will try to take mine or my family and friends life(either by gun, knife ...) and I'd have to shoot that person to survive, does it matter if I just shoot him once vs. unloading my whole mag??..Wouldn't that be considered "unnecessary" or "overkill"(not that it would matter to me!)...Is there any difference between killing somebody in self defense at home or in public??..Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with this matter!
Shooting in self defense....
- Thread starter Gun4fun
- Start date
Kalamity023
New member
Troll??... Definitely trolling on that one... But in case you're not... Read your local laws... Most state that you're justified in using a "reasonable force" to stop the threat... Interpret that how you want...
Nightmare45
NRA LIFE MEMBER
I like that, spend a little time reading state laws and when you go for Texas CHL pay attention.
Read all your State laws regarding self defense and concealed carry before your CC class. This will give you an opportunity to get answers for the parts your not clear on.
As far as the number of rounds fired my read on that is this. I would never shoot to kill. I would shoot to stop. I would continue shooting till the threatening action ended. If death occurred that would be a side effect. I would shoot for center mass as that is most likely to stop the criminal the fastest and I would be less likely to miss and hit something behind my target.
As far as the number of rounds fired my read on that is this. I would never shoot to kill. I would shoot to stop. I would continue shooting till the threatening action ended. If death occurred that would be a side effect. I would shoot for center mass as that is most likely to stop the criminal the fastest and I would be less likely to miss and hit something behind my target.
aj's 40 cal
New member
here is hoping you are a legit normal person, you shoot to stop your threat, no matter how many rounds it takes, you dont shoot to kill or wound. STOP THE THREAT. an idea for you..... read everything on the local and state laws in texas then go to your calss and ask as many questions as you can if your unsure, but please dont be wasting everyones time if you just want your permit so you can act like rambo, we dont need more of you here.
good luck to you!
good luck to you!
mappow
New member
STOPPING THE THREAT! Is that one round, five rounds? After your research on your State Laws, I would practice shooting in two shot volleys. Mind you, that was the way I was instructed some thirty years ago and that's way I still practice today. Two rounds DC mass, evaluate and repeat if necessary. IF I see that the first two rounds are just boring through the target and or NOT stopping the threat, I would repeat as necessary until I thought the threat is neutralized. Again, my opinion and my training. Others on this site will advise differently due to their past training and opinion. (some more then others)
Thanks for your replies....I moved to Texas only a few months ago so the whole thing about CCW is new to me...I can read what the laws and books say (and will surely read it all!), but wanted to get some personal opinion...We all know what the 2nd Amendment is and what it says, but we also know that applying it in real life could (and does!) vary....So I apologize if I offended somebody or wasted somebody's time, I just wanted to be a "step ahead"...
MamaLiberty
New member
Gun4fun, here's hoping you are not a troll, but just a young person starting out in self defense.
Take it from an old hand. Get as much serious instruction as possible, and do a LOT of training and dry fire on your own before you even think about starting to carry. That in addition to knowing all the "laws" in your area, frontwards and backwards. And remember that the "law" is only part of it. Learn how your local cops interpret that law, and what you can expect from them in an emergency. Practice various scenarios, both physically and mentally until you have made up your mind quite well what you SHOULD and COULD do in most situations. You have to know beforehand because you will not have the time to consider all the variables to make those decisions once someone is trying to kill you. Been there... done that.
When you are truly comfortable with your weapon, and have a really good idea what you might need to do with it, then you can consider starting to carry. Until then, you may be a real danger to yourself and others.
Just my 2 cents worth...
Take it from an old hand. Get as much serious instruction as possible, and do a LOT of training and dry fire on your own before you even think about starting to carry. That in addition to knowing all the "laws" in your area, frontwards and backwards. And remember that the "law" is only part of it. Learn how your local cops interpret that law, and what you can expect from them in an emergency. Practice various scenarios, both physically and mentally until you have made up your mind quite well what you SHOULD and COULD do in most situations. You have to know beforehand because you will not have the time to consider all the variables to make those decisions once someone is trying to kill you. Been there... done that.
When you are truly comfortable with your weapon, and have a really good idea what you might need to do with it, then you can consider starting to carry. Until then, you may be a real danger to yourself and others.
Just my 2 cents worth...
The_Outlaw
~The Dude Abides~
Never draw your sidearm unless it's absolutely necessary.
You are never supposed to shoot 'to kill'.
You must only shoot 'to stop the immediate threat'
If you must shoot, always aim at 'center mass' of the threat.
Once the threat has been stopped, "CEASE FIRE IMMEDIATLY".
Then be prepared to call your lawyer.
(If you don't have a lawyer yet, GET ONE a.s.a.p).
~Good luck & stay safe~
Firefighterchen
OC for Tactical Advantage
The_Outlaw:261969 said:
Good advice here so far. one note, call 911 before you call your lawyer. You should be the first person to contact pd.
You do wonder about the origination of this thread, given the obvious answers to the questions. OK--I bite: You shoot until the threat is stopped--only you know when that is depending on situation and condition of BG and location of his firearm or weapon of choice. What really got me on this thread was the "difference between killing in defense of self at home or in publc"--still cannot for the life of me understand what the distinction is suppose to be other than the fact that castle doctrine at home is a clear signal by law that you can kill, whereas in public there are many variables that determine imminent danger.
agrippakc
New member
Like it has been said, you shoot to stop the threat. In Kansas the BG made the decision that caused a citizen to start shooting, the same BG decides when the citizen stops by when they stop attacking or being a threat. Now should they decide also to die, that's on them; of course their decision making up until that point wasn't exactly stellar to begin with. Each State has it's own view on the matter and you may have to consult a local attorney to get your questions answered exactly. It might not cost you or it might cost you but a local attorney is your best bet on these things, then when they answer your questions get their card because you will want them to defend you should the unthinkable happen.
localgirl
New member
If I had to GUESS, I would think that at home the threat is larger, because in public you could fire and possibly retreat to a safer area?
rrman12280
New member
Not much to add to this advice.
Your scenerio isn't an application of the 2nd Amendment. It's an issue of state law and each state has different laws and burdens in regard to the use of lethal force. You need to be aware of the laws of any state you legally carry your weapon in.
Hey local: I agree with your reply; in public there are many options for avoidance of discharge vs immediate discharge. I also firmly believe that the clearer distinction in my home vis a vis castle doctrine, makes it crystal clear that I can act immediately without hesitation on the situation. You enter my house or attempt foreceable entry, you had better have life insurance and in SC I will get a letter of commendation from the prosecutor.
You never shoot to kill, period. You always shoot to stop. Inside your home or on the street. If someone breaks into your home in the middle of the night, you shoot them, the fall down unconscious (your good so far), then you walk up and put another round in the back of their head you might anticipate a bunch of free meals served on steel trays. If they turn around and run away you stop shooting.
You always shoot to stop. You keep shooting till they stop or you run out of bullets. This is why it is recommended that you have one or more reloads. If death occurs that is a side effect. It is generally accepted that the fastest and most reliable way to stop someone in a high stress situation is to aim for center mass. If you try to shoot someone in the arm or leg you will probably miss and it is unlikely to stop them any way. A head shot would probably stop them but here again it is a hard one to make in a high stress situation.
