Shoobee
Banned
I think we are in agreement here. (with the bold statement)
But, it is a REAL danger to have the mindset of "if you pull your gun, you WILL shoot someone."
There are times when "presenting" a firearm or just removing it from the holster may be warranted.
For Example:
Let's say multiple BGs have come out from behind concealment and taken you by surprise. They aren't quite close enough to do you harm. (25-30 feet) But, they are armed with "knives" and/or "clubs" & there intent is absoulutly clear!
You sweep your concealment garment back & grab the grip of your firearm. But, it doesn't seem to stop them so you draw. When they see your firearm being drawn they drop their weapons & run; or they just run. (In other words they give up as they see you drawing your weapon.)
Should you shoot one or more BG in the process of giving up or running away, you could be in HUGE legal trouble!
The correct course of action would be to bring your weapon to the "ready" and look around to be sure ALL threats have left the area. Once you are certain of your safety, re-holster your firearm and call 911.
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You have said that you have been involved in situations where you had to let the BG know you were armed; but you didn't have to draw. (That is EXCELLENT! It is also probably the most common occurrence in a SD situation.)
Every situation is different and may call for different stages of reaction/action. Shooting someone should be the ABSOLUTE last resort!
No offense meant;
But, you sound like a pretty young person who may not have had much life experience. I hope you will show some wisdom & listen to some of the people that have had more experience than you.
Tcox, I don't know if you have ever been outnumbered, and in a situation like you have described, but I have.
I was O/C in the USFS back-country lands at the time, and the four of them appeared to be unarmed, only that they outnumbered me.
They wanted gasoline because they were almost out, and I told them I could not give them any because I only had barely enough to get me back also.
They did not like that answer.
They asked me if my gun was loaded. I did not reply. I did stare at them intently, preparing to draw and fire if one of them made the wrong move, which was any move except away.
After a very long quiet staring contest, they all left together, when their leader uttered his famous words, "lets get out of here."
"Lets get out of here" is the most common statement I have heard from criminal minds whenever I was O/C and I have caught them in the process of some kind of burglary crime. It is music to my ears. It means they are leaving, on their own, and hopefully not coming back, so I don't need to do anything more, not even call 911.