Language when warning a perp.

[Saab1911]

I'm a mild mannered guy usually, but when I get riled up, I swear like a Marine.

So, I can easily imagine that if I have to tell a perp that he's about to get
shot or if I'm telling an intruder to freeze, get on the ground,
put hands behind his head and don't move, I would interlace a lot of
expletives in between the words that convey actual instructions.

Would the expletives come back to haunt me later? If there are witnesses
that hear me hurl invectives at the perp, the perp still charges and I shoot
him down, do you think a slimy lawyer can twist the situation into one in
which I provoked the perp with my salty language?

Cheers,

Jae

 

[David Armstrong]

do you think a slimy lawyer can twist the situation into one in
which I provoked the perp with my salty language?

Doesn't have to be a slimy lawyer. Any lawyer worth his salt will certainly look into the language used in a situation. If it helps his client's case, you can bet it will be brought up.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

1. Many classes mention the fact that if you swear, it might convey that you are trying to act like a tough guy and your judgement was impeded towards the commando and maybe shooting when you shouldn't.

2. As we know from years of practical experience and court research, such issues can sway a jury. If you in your frenzy come up with a racial epithet - well, isn't that special.

3. It is the assumption of the internet that felons, psychopaths and other denizens of the night are intimidated by regular old folks saying dirty words. They live in an environment of violence and curses. You ain't saying anything they haven't heard.

They might be more impressed by someone who is rational and not seemingly in a scared, babbling, frenzy.

Time to train for real as compared to fantasizing. Think about what to do if as you yell MF, CS blah, blah - blah, and said miscreant fails to comply. Just gets up and walks to the door.

Was this a trick, troll question, BTW?

 

[black]

I wonder about this myself. I don't have a foul mouth at all, but i don't speak like Martha Stewart either.

I was taught to be firm and loud. there is no negotiating.


There is a "STOOOOOOOOOP!" and if they don't stop immediately, it's 2 to the chest.

 

[David Armstrong]

They might be more impressed by someone who is rational and not seemingly in a scared, babbling, frenzy.

Had a con tell me the most frightened he had ever been was when an elderly lady caught him burgling her home. He said that, in the sweetest granma voice you ever heard, from back in the shadows he heard "Excuse me young man, but you are standing where I am about to shoot. "

 

[Saab1911]

Was this a trick, troll question, BTW?

What's with people on this forum identifying everybody as trolls?

No. It was a serious question.

He said that, in the sweetest granma voice you ever heard, from back in the shadows he heard "Excuse me young man, but you are standing where I am about to shoot. "

That's good. I'll try to remember that.

Without thinking and talking about this first, if SHTF I would most likely have strung together a bunch of MF, CS for sure, POS definitely, GD yes ... you get the idea. That's just how I talk when I get angry. But I would not have used any racial epithets. Those are not in my vocabulary.

And yes again, it was a serious question , and it appears that others have given the same issue some thought.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

It's when people ask posturing questions that have been answered many times. If it was real, then I'm sorry for my cynicism.

However, the answer is that it's not a good idea. Be rational and cool.

Also, folks like Don't Move better than FREEZE - based on the plosive /d/ as compared to the wussy glide into the F.

Last, if you babble too much - it diverts cognitive capacity - cell phone when driving effect - that's when you get in trouble.

 

[TATER]

From Childhood I was told two simple rules..
1_A gun is never pulled to intimidate or persuade “you're not law enforcement”
2_There is never a situation so bad that it requires a gun. “Let that sink in a second”
ie._If you have to pull a gun, The Situation Is Well Past 1 & 2....
And all ways know, If a gun is pulled, It is to be used!!!

I’m not going to say a word.......

 

[Saab1911]

From Childhood I was told two simple rules..
1_A gun is never pulled to intimidate or persuade “you're not law enforcement”
2_There is never a situation so bad that it requires a gun. “Let that sink in a second”
ie._If you have to pull a gun, The Situation Is Well Past 1 & 2....
And all ways know, If a gun is pulled, It is to be used!!!

I would rather try to get the guy on the ground with hands behind his head
and try to call the police first before I take a life. But, that's just me.

 

[TATER]

I put them down reversed....2 is 1. But, you got the idea.
If you’re going to play in those waters, know that you're
putting your self and or family at risk!!
You need to go and take some classes..they will tell you what to say..
No need for sarcasm,

 

[fastforty]

Keep it simple. A forceful "STOP!" is all that is needed, if the BG doesn't comply, the next sound is "BANG!". ANY derogatory remark will come back to bite you in the butt. Even "Freeze, DIRTBAG!" shows that you have already determined that the aggressor is less then human. We know how the BG's "Human Rights" are upheld in court & you've already reduced yourself below him.

All of the catchy movie lines are out. Your objective isn't to "blow a bog hole" in him, or to "ruin his family's Christmas" or anything else of the like. Your objective is to "STOP!" the attack, make that objective clear and concise & it will remain so in court.

 

[Recon7]

How often do you take down "perps"?
IMHO they either need to be shot or let go. that doesn't mean don't call the cops, just don't try to go around detaining perps.
there is a good thread about citizens arrest here

 

[hogdogs]

I guess I am selfish prick... I have no inclination to warn anyone. I am in my home and a person has entered into it thus I am scared that this brazen individual may cause harm to me and mine. For him to run out means he MAY return, I would invoke my right to defend my family. No ifs ands or buts or warnings. Giving a warning depletes a bit of my advantage as well.
Brent

 

[Saab1911]

IMHO they either need to be shot or let go. that doesn't mean don't call the cops, just don't try to go around detaining perps.

That's a good point. My first objective is to protective me and mine.

So, the objective is to warn him, and give the perp an out so that he would
run away? If the bad-guy keeps coming toward me, I take him down?

What if the bad guy is rain-man and he stops when I yell STOP!

I see your point, but I think there really are three options. 1) Leave an
avenue for escape for the morally challenged individual. He runs away 2) Put
a cap in his buttocks 3) Or detain him and call police.

What if the bad guy comes back with his friends so that I will not be alive
to identify him?

Nope, detaining the perp, however hazardous sounds like a good option.
If he moves a muscle, I'll be justified in taking his life because he was
fairly warned.

And no salty language. Check.

I guess I am selfish prick... I have no inclination to warn anyone. I am in my home and a person has entered into it thus I am scared that this brazen individual may cause harm to me and mine. For him to run out means he MAY return, I would invoke my right to defend my family. No ifs ands or buts or warnings. Giving a warning depletes a bit of my advantage as well.

That's a good point too, but how will it hold up in court?
What if your neighbors say they didn't hear a warning before the gunshot?

 

[Keltyke]

Glen and I are actually in 100% agreement on this.

"Anything you say can be held against you in court."

Anything you say, other than the direct command, is distracting from what you want the guy to do. Any excess verbiage takes time you may not have to get his attention.

Angry? There's no need to get angry. You need to be cold and calm to perform as needed to save your life.

"I shot the man to save my life."

sounds a lot better than

"The scumbag came at me, so I popped a cap in his butt just to teach the MF a lesson."

 

[hogdogs]

Even in the city limits... my neighbors would not have heard a warning unless they were right outside. My nearest neighbor now may not even here the blast where I live now, if they did they surely wouldn't know where it came from. But in court, a neighbor hearing or not hearing a warning holds no water as they could easily have missed it or even heard the perp warning me... It is not my legal responsibility to offer warning. I am in no way required to do so. I am morally required to do my best to protect my family. If i am not 100% positive it is an intruder my likely statement would be a simple "MAY I HELP YOU?" if I do not recognize the voice as someone allowed in my home I MUST fire instantly as I have given up the element of surprise and stealth.
Brent

 

[Saab1911]

"Anything you say can be held against you in court."

Anything you say, other than the direct command, is distracting from what you want the guy to do. Any excess verbiage takes time you may not have to get his attention.

Angry? There's no need to get angry. You need to be cold and calm to perform as needed to save your life.

"I shot the man to save my life."

sounds a lot better than

"The scumbag came at me, so I popped a cap in his butt just to teach the MF a lesson."

I'm gettin' it.

Until I asked the question, a life and death situation seemed to call for
salty language, but now I know differently.

 

[Recon7]

What if the bad guy is rain-man and he stops when I yell STOP!

tell him make yourself comfortable the police are on their way, if he wants to leave, let him. Stopping the guy from leaving is no longer self defense. It is hard enough to justify use of force in self defense, I don't want to get charged with assault and kidnapping because I forcably detained a person until the cops arrived. Even if you are 100% in the right it would not be a fun court case.

Nope, detaining the perp, however hazardous sounds like a good option.
If he moves a muscle, I'll be justified in taking his life because he was
fairly warned.

NO you can't shoot him in the back if he gets up to leave.

What if the bad guy comes back with his friends so that I will not be alive
to identify him?

This is only a factor if the attack happens at your home or work where the guy will be able to find you later. You have a point I wouldn't want to be looking over by shoulder the rest of my life either. If you are worried about retaliation, you may want to consider that a guy you citizens arrested could get out on bail and go after you or get you after serving a short stint in prison. If anything, arresting a person may make retaliation more likely. It's a lose, lose situation. Even if you kill the guy he may have friends.

 

[Sidewinder6]

Its called learning to Speak to the Jury. Never say anything you woundnt want to hear played back to you in a court room.

Fact of the matter is, you dont need to say a thing.

 

[Brian Pfleuger]

Fact of the matter is, you dont need to say a thing.

I guess I am selfish prick... I have no inclination to warn anyone.

Don't forget gentlemen that there a re a fair number of jurisdictions that require not only a verbal warning but also retreat. I'd rather swear like a parrot and give the guy a warning than not say a word and be in jail for murder.

Jae, I don't think anyone has mentioned it but profanity has no place in SD.