If I ever kill someone, it will be because I had no choice.
I thought thats what we were discussing all along. Once the decision is made to shoot, you shoot, until there is no longer a threat.
"Shoot them to the ground" is just what it is. If you dont like the term, use something else that means the same, because no matter how you say it, it is what it is. When they are down, and no longer a threat/trying to harm you, then its over. They may not necessarily be dead, but I suspect its going to be a good possibility, as that really is what you train for when you train, is it not? They (not you) started it, by doing something that removed all your predetermined "safeties" and you shoot.
You shoot to kill, stop, end the threat, whatever, and you do so by targeting the areas of the body, most likely to bring that result. You dont shoot to simply maim, disable, etc, you shoot, in no uncertain terms, to kill. If you think that saying it in a politically correct way makes it any different, then I think your deluding yourself.
The other thing with that thought is, how you shoot, or train to shoot. Pistol calibers are notoriously poor "man stoppers", and you need to do two things, quickly place your shots to the best of your ability, and continue to do so, until the threat is down. This all is likely to occur in milliseconds, and you will likely not see any response to the first couple of rounds, as other than a CNS shot, the target probably doesnt even know its been shot either. Do you hesitate after a couple of shots, to evaluate and have a look see? Or do you keep shooting, until they are down, and out? I dont now about you, if they arent down, and still have a weapon in their hands, they keep getting shot until they are, or I am.
I would think all of this would be common sense, just like carrying a spare mag if you carry an auto, or a couple of speed loaders, if you carry a revolver. We carry these tools because we feel some need to do so. Its not something taken lightly, and its serious business, and in all regards. If you arent willing to address the reality of that weapons use, and in all ways (on going and regular training, realistic practice, the mental parts, understanding of the laws etc.), then perhaps its best you dont carry it.