Language when warning a perp.

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If I feel that my life is jeopardized my full focus will be on avoiding or neutralizing the threat - e.g. running away if possible or permanently stopping the threat so as to save my life.

I see it as similar to flying (I was a pilot in a younger life)... you are taught to aviate, navigate and lastly, communicate when you are in trouble. Flying is similar to most of life - thousands of hours of boredom with just a few seconds of adrenaline pumping fright. Gain control of the plane, figure out where you are and what have to do next and then talk to a control tower to explain you emergency if need be.

In a life threatening situation my communicating will be with the 911 operator not the threat.
 
In a life threatening situation my communicating will be with the 911 operator not the threat.
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That's all well and good and entirely your option. I'm just pointing out that if the law says you must warn or retreat or both and you do not it will certainly be worse for you than if you said "Freeze Dirtbag!" and then shot someone. In some places the lack of warning/retreat COMPLETELY negates the argument of SD.
 
In Florida I have no obligation to retreat or warn intruders of my intention to use lethal force in my home or vehicle.
Brent
 
peetza said:
That's all well and good and entirely your option. I'm just pointing out that if the law says you must warn or retreat or both and you do not it will certainly be worse for you than if you said "Freeze Dirtbag!" and then shot someone. In some places the lack of warning/retreat COMPLETELY negates the argument of SD.
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Some states require retreat within one's own house, which I think is BS.

If I'm in my house and I give the BG a warning and he still comes at me,
I'm taking him down.

Thankfully, in Texas you don't have to retreat, and a warning is optional.
 
I am certain that I will have said "please put that weapon down and let us discuss this, kind sir" just before 470 grains enter said sir's vital organ cavity.
 
I realize that laws in some areas border on being insane (ummm, I'm in Kali, remember?), but in a true life or death situation that warranted defending oneself with lethal force there most likely wouldn't be time for a "warning". If there were time for a "warning", there wouldn't be an "imminent & immediate" threat, as most laws require to justify homicide (read: "You didn't *have* to shoot at that moment").
 
My advice, take it for what it's worth as a LEO that gives commands daily, keep it short, well heard and to the point.

STOP
SHOW ME YOUR HANDS
TURN AROUND
GET ON YOUR KNEES

I think you get the point, or at least I hope you do. There is no room for confusion, unless you don't speak english. In that case I can give you those same commands in spanish, any other language I need a translator.

Biker
 
Farnam refers to such phrases as "can't help you", "can I help you sir?", "don't move, drop your weapon", etc, as canned phrases that we learn to use automatically. It's done by practicing, just like we practice shooting.

I think that bad language is typically a result of our own fear and anger (the two are related), and it's already been pointed out that it's not good to appear to be out of control.

Same goes for calling 911---don't act like you've lost it.

Everything we do becomes a matter of public record, and "don't move, drop your weapon" spoken loudly so that all eyes are on you and Bubba, may be as much (I'm not saying more) for the benefit of the record (like witnesses statements) as it is a warning to your assailant.

Doubt we'll ever be more scrutinized than in the aftermath of the type of encounter we all hope never happens.
 
Citizens' arrests are a BAD idea. They can get you in all kinds of trouble later, ESPECIALLY if you use a gun. Remember: If you pull your gun, and you are not in fear for your life, it's called "assault with a deadly weapon." If you pull your gun and you ARE in fear for your life, you need to stop talking and start shooting!

Nothing says, "please cease and desist," quite like, "BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!..."
 
Finding a burglar in your living room with arms full of your DVD or china?

Is that a life and death shoot'em? One should consider that. You do have some time. While some folks will say "Castle" and blast him - think that is an always and useful response?

What's a true life and death situation? Is the world black and white?
 
Not sure I would maintain this composure but my intended 911 statement would be along these lines... 911: "911 police fire or medical please?" Me:"i think you may want to send police and an ambulance." 911: "Sir what is your emergency? what has happened?" Me:"No rush, no emergency. An intruder has been shot and is not moving, He in xxxxxx room I am going to be UNARMED when the officer arrives. I am the resident along with wife and 2 young adult children... We are all okay and safe... see ya when ya get here... take ya'lls time, Bye... "
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Brent
 
It don't matter if he has a roll of toilet paper in one hand and a feather in the other... in florida if a home is invaded by an intruder you can assume that since he is inside an occupied dwelling illegally he is capable of causing serious injury or death if given the chance. A crook that discovers he has been caught could drop those items and pounce in less time than I choose to offer. how fast can a deviant healthy young man cover 12-18 feet? Or draw on you?

Brent
 
Finding a burglar in your living room with arms full of your DVD or china?

Is that a life and death shoot'em? One should consider that. You do have some time. While some folks will say "Castle" and blast him - think that is an always and useful response?
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I, for one, will not kill for property. Regardless of whether the law allows it. Assuming your scenario, I would probably raise my gun and say "Stop Right There!" or something similar. If he stops - great, if he runs away - great. If he drops everything and heads my way, now he probably gets shot- especially if he's got a weapon.
 
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.
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So, you think it is better to start a gunfight inside your house with your family present than have the BG leave without further difficulty??
 
I guess this is one more reason I love living in Texas. A warning is not required if someone is invading my home. My main concern is protecting me and my soon-to-be wife. The only thing the poor soul is going see/hear is the light from my flashlight quickly followed by a loud bang (or two or three)
 
If he moves a muscle, I'll be justified in taking his life because he was
fairly warned.
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As Glenn mentioned, Castle laws aside, in many places once the person is no longer a threat to you youare no longer authorized to use deadly force against him. ANd even if you are, I tend to fall back on "you shoot because you have too, not because you want too." Sorry folks, but shooting somebody and getting away with it is way too iffy to do it unless you absolutely have to, and even then the potential for major loss of resources on your part is huge. At the very least you have to plan on them shooting back at you. I know we all like to think that we are steely eyed dealers of death and will always slay the BG without danger to us becuase we are in the side of right, but in reality shooting people doesn't always work.
 
David, It is super smart to realize that once your perp has left he knows you own guns... They are a high ticket black market item... I know a "clean" (not reported stolen) mossberg 500 can bring $500 and a hi-cap handgun can bring a grand if also not reported stolen. Now the perp tries to burglarize when you ain't home but your child may be.
I see every burglar as a potential murderer and will treat any inside my home as such...
If any one thinks they can waltz in my home and rob me is either so stupid he can't know right from wrong or so brazen he knows but chooses wrong! In either case I cannot fathom handing out free passes...
Brent
 
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