Its easy to say 'I'd have shot him.' But you never really know how you'll react or what you'll do until you're pointing a gun at another human being and trying to decide weather or not the treat is great enough to take away all he's got and all he's ever going to have.
Agreed, 100%.
And THAT is the reasoning behind my earlier post.
Good guys often think of this very fact--the reason that we ARE the good guys is our reluctance to do anything that will cause pain, suffering or deprivation to our fellow man, no matter how reprehensible that fellow man might be.
This reflexive act is the normal state of affairs for the normal human being. Unfortunately, it is also the state of affairs--and of mind--that will more than likely get the good guys hurt or killed.
It is no fault at all of the poster that he hesitated at the moment of truth, when a deadly force situation unfolded right in front of him. Blame instead the civilized manner in which we are raised, and where the majority of us adhere to the tenets of our upbringings, which advocate compassion and kindness.
To be effective and prepared for self defense--or the defense of others--that inbred compassion must be modified; the hesitance MUST be eliminated, and the will to cause harm or to kill must be ingrained. This is the primary reason that the armed services are so hard on the troops in basic training/boot camp--because killing is the most repugnant thing to us--at least the civilized ones.
You must learn to recognize when the moment of truth arrives; learn the difference between shoot and no-shoot and be able to apply sound judgement.
And when the moment of truth arrives, you must be sure in your movements and your decision. You must be willing to carry through and complete the action if need be, without hesitation or second guessing--or, like GySgt Hartman (Full Metal Jacket) said, you will be a DEAD good guy--and then you will be in a world of (you know what) because GOOD GUYS SHOULD NOT DIE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!
In conclusion, the original poster should NOT be faulted for his actions in any way. He stood forth to meet the challenge, and assisted in the best way that he was capable of doing at the time.
Ronny, as the saying goes, you'll do to ride the river with. If you're ever out this way (Washington State) hook up with me, and I'll hoist a cold one with you. (Mine will have to be root beer, because I don't drink alcohol.
)
Muy hombre, vaquero. Muy hombre.