Cowdogpete
New member
I love scenarios. They are essential to the training process. Whenever I train or train someone else I develop a scenario for the stage I'm shooting.
In addition when I'm driving with nothing else to do I'll run through scenarios mentally. I also dry fire and practice my draw, stance and presentation from time to time with out a weapon at all. Think of it as Kata.
With that said don't over analyze your scenarios. You can't predict every thing that will happen. Encounters are not static. They are constantly changing and moving.
In the above scenario:
Do the other patrons know what’s going on or are you the only one that’s seen the robber?
Has anyone else noticed he has a gun?
If you take a shot, what happens to the hysterical person that just noticed what’s happening and runs across your line of site just as you pull the trigger?
If you take the shot how do you know he’s going to drop? A single shot to instantly kill is difficult. Will his reflexes discharge his weapon that’s pointed at the clerk? Will he turn and fire multiple rounds around the room in a dieing fit rage.
Have you ever shot anyone before? (don’t actually answer this …I’ve been chastised enough). Truth: You don’t know how you will react in this situation until you are there. Training can help, but you still are unproven until actually there.
Is the guy just after the money or is he really intending to kill some one? If he can take the cash and go; will he?
Is there available cover? Is there an alternate way out? Does he have an accomplice? Is the second man inside or out? Does he have a gun too?
If I find myself in the above engagement what do I do? I have absolutely no idea.
I train to do this: Assess the situation. Can I escape? Can I get to cover? Can I deescalate the situation?
Then I have to answer these questions:
Can I draw my weapon before he can train his on me? What are his intentions?
Am I justified in killing him? Am I emotionally capable of killing him? Am I financially capable of defending myself in court? What are the ramifications of killing him? Will the cops shoot me thinking I’m the bad guy? Will another CCW holder shoot me thinking I just shot a customer paying for his pizza? Etc. etc. etc.
Keep in mind that if you shoot someone and are completely no-billed for the shooting, even if they throw you a parade, these things are going to happen. You will be arrested. The cops probably will point their guns at you and cuss at you. The cops may rough you up. They will take your gun. You will be handcuffed and stuffed into a smelly scout car. You will be removed from your family and taken to jail. You will go to court. You will have to pay for your defense. How will your family, the community, your co-workers, your boss view all this? Even if you are justified you can count on being sued by the deceased’s family. Here comes civil court. More costs. More time away from work and family.
I’ve could go on but you’re starting to get the idea by now. Talking these scenarios out in these forums may or may not be good. I’m still sitting the fence. Too much second-guessing and what ifs. But it serves to explore all the possibilities of what can go wrong or what else the shooter must be aware of.
When you train you take the shot. When you practice mentally you take the shot. When you are thrust into a lethal force situation you must assess all the factors, answer all the questions I posted, all the what ifs and questions everyone else posted, and do it all as fast as you can blink an eye. Then you will still not know how you will react or if you will react.
In addition when I'm driving with nothing else to do I'll run through scenarios mentally. I also dry fire and practice my draw, stance and presentation from time to time with out a weapon at all. Think of it as Kata.
With that said don't over analyze your scenarios. You can't predict every thing that will happen. Encounters are not static. They are constantly changing and moving.
In the above scenario:
Do the other patrons know what’s going on or are you the only one that’s seen the robber?
Has anyone else noticed he has a gun?
If you take a shot, what happens to the hysterical person that just noticed what’s happening and runs across your line of site just as you pull the trigger?
If you take the shot how do you know he’s going to drop? A single shot to instantly kill is difficult. Will his reflexes discharge his weapon that’s pointed at the clerk? Will he turn and fire multiple rounds around the room in a dieing fit rage.
Have you ever shot anyone before? (don’t actually answer this …I’ve been chastised enough). Truth: You don’t know how you will react in this situation until you are there. Training can help, but you still are unproven until actually there.
Is the guy just after the money or is he really intending to kill some one? If he can take the cash and go; will he?
Is there available cover? Is there an alternate way out? Does he have an accomplice? Is the second man inside or out? Does he have a gun too?
If I find myself in the above engagement what do I do? I have absolutely no idea.
I train to do this: Assess the situation. Can I escape? Can I get to cover? Can I deescalate the situation?
Then I have to answer these questions:
Can I draw my weapon before he can train his on me? What are his intentions?
Am I justified in killing him? Am I emotionally capable of killing him? Am I financially capable of defending myself in court? What are the ramifications of killing him? Will the cops shoot me thinking I’m the bad guy? Will another CCW holder shoot me thinking I just shot a customer paying for his pizza? Etc. etc. etc.
Keep in mind that if you shoot someone and are completely no-billed for the shooting, even if they throw you a parade, these things are going to happen. You will be arrested. The cops probably will point their guns at you and cuss at you. The cops may rough you up. They will take your gun. You will be handcuffed and stuffed into a smelly scout car. You will be removed from your family and taken to jail. You will go to court. You will have to pay for your defense. How will your family, the community, your co-workers, your boss view all this? Even if you are justified you can count on being sued by the deceased’s family. Here comes civil court. More costs. More time away from work and family.
I’ve could go on but you’re starting to get the idea by now. Talking these scenarios out in these forums may or may not be good. I’m still sitting the fence. Too much second-guessing and what ifs. But it serves to explore all the possibilities of what can go wrong or what else the shooter must be aware of.
When you train you take the shot. When you practice mentally you take the shot. When you are thrust into a lethal force situation you must assess all the factors, answer all the questions I posted, all the what ifs and questions everyone else posted, and do it all as fast as you can blink an eye. Then you will still not know how you will react or if you will react.