Actual Self defense Experience

Without going into the personal side of it, I've been fortunate enough to be able to investigate/research/analyze thousands of shootings, and it boils down to a few basics for me at least when discussing handguns and the traditional self-defense world.
1. Caliber doesn't make much of a difference, if any, in the outcome.
2. Stopping the BG is far more important than killing him.
3. The huge majority of stops are psychological in nature, not physical.
 
Frankly the reasn why folks don't like these threads is not only the armchair QB work that goes on but also the fact no matter how justified having to use deadly force is not pleasant and not something reasonable people want to recount over and over again.

Electric my hat is off to you for doing the right thing and for sharing, I suspect not many others out there will, however as others have mentioned there area a pleanty of reports out there for folks to read as well as whole books on the subject.

What you do with the data is more offten a personal thing --- one guy will read of a 380 stopping a guy and say the 380 is adequate and shot placement matters more than anything... someone else will discount it as a lucky shot or whatever. ....
 
In Ohio, the fact that you opened the door and escalated the confrontation would probably even nullify the castle doctrine (which isn't law until 9/9/08). Had you gone into your house, and waited for an intrusion, you would probably have been justified in my state after 9/9/08. Until then, unless you are in immenent risk of death or severe bodily injury, you cannot shoot even a drug crazed maniac. Personally, I prefer the Texas law, but we all have our burdens, and everyone should know what is justifiable use of deadly force in their state, regardless of what is posted on the internet.
 
Ive encountered threads like this one on more than one occasion and on more than one forum. Most of the time I wouldnt answer and certainly not to any amount of detail. There are still details I dont want to go into here.

I guess you just caught me on a talkative kinda of day. I guess I figure that if it helps someone else in a future situation then it was a positive thing. Critique it all you want. It was a very long time ago and I really dont think too often about it anymore. Once you have a family and start having kiddos you dont have much time to stew over bygones.
 
Thanks Hellfire, honest experiences are worth much more than any postulating. I appreciate you willing to share very much.

I remember as a younger man the feelings that came from the first hunting experiences I had, I'll probably never forget those feelings, and to this day I have the utmost respect for the animals I hunt because of that. I can only imagine the internal turmoil that results from the taking of another human life, and admire those willing to share for the benefit of others.
 
Prior to Ohio passing the Castle Doctrine, you had a duty to retreat until retreat was no longer an option. At that point, you could defend yourself.
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Really hard for me to relate to that mindset! OTOH, maybe that's why those Buckeyes do so great in their bowl games?! :D
 
I understand. It's just that this kind of talk is what could be used against someone in a legitimate SD situation.

Now as for Ohio:

Do you know why Kentucky doesn't fall into Tennessee? Because Ohio sucks.
 
One of the reasons I have a dog is as another layer of defense. They warn you at the first sign of trouble, they'll defend you to the death, and they are damn to have around if it hits the fan.
 
Hellfire, as a fellow Texan, I tell you I am man of few words. You did what had to do. You did the only thing you could do. Few men who love their mothers, would do little different than you did. nuff said.
 
You would have been tried for murder in Ohio.
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Then what would you have done in this situation. Since I started working for the local PD i realize help can take a while to get there.

I would rather be tried and sit in a jail cell then be dead.
 
The guy was cracked out and chasing you around your own property with a bayonet! I would consider that a life threatening situation. Forget about the front door issue. Any jury that would convict an individual under those circumstances is insane.
 
When I was 15yrs. old I witnessed my father shoot and kill a armed robber who was standing no more than 3ft. from where I was sitting.
My parents managed apartments back in the 60's. The rental office was the converted 3rd bedroom of the apt. we lived in. There was a door to the outside and an interior door to the hallway that led to our living quarters. My Mom had a habit of leaving the interior door open.
This was on a Sat. evening, my Mom was at the desk doing paper work as it was the 1st of the month and people were paying thier rents. I was sitting in a chair to the left side of the desk against the wall. From there I could see the office door and also down the hall. I imagine I was talking about some 15yr. old meaningless crap to her.
The office door opened and a guy walks in with a big silver gun in his hand pointing it at my Mom and then at me, back and forth demanding the money.
My Father who was in their bedroom heard what was going on. He got his Mod. 10 .38cal. and started down the hall. I could see Dad out of the corner of my eye and remember thinking that I could not look his way or I might tip off the BG. Just before my Dad reached the open door he said in a loud voice "Honey". This made the BG look and move his gun in that direction.
My Dad fired twice striking the BG in the chest. I was close enough to hear the BG groan, cuss and run out the door. He died about 50yds. down the street.
I don't know for sure that this incident caused it but my Dad turned to alcohol and my parents were divorced within a year. He killed himself some years later. You decide.
I don't know what kind of ammo my Father had in the gun, probably just lead round nose. The .38 was not an instant stopper but it did the job. It's also thr reason I carry a .45.

My own situation, I just fired that'a ways 'cause everyone else was!
 
Stone Cold, your law statements about Ohio are true unless you are Cols. Ohio- chief of police in which case your allowed to fire through your house window and shoot burglar attempting to break in. The rest of us aren`t as fortunate:rolleyes:
 
Tried for murder in Ohio??

Uh, remind me not to live in Ohio.

Guess its true what they say, "It's better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6".
 
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