I posted this thread at GlockTalk while TFL was down. It got some good responses, so I decided to try it here.
For whatever reason, you were surprised by a BG and you find youself with a small caliber pistol (.25 or .32) pointed at you. Before you can react, the BG shoots you in the chest area. Out of surprise (or any other reason) you fall down on your back, still conscious. Once you realize what has happened the BG has turned around and is slowly walking away (his back is to you). You don't think that your wound is going to be fatal and the BG doesn't seem to be a threat to you any longer and even seems to be unaware that your are still alive and breathing. For the sake of the senario, let's say that there are no other people around (no one else in danger). You have a cell phone and a CCW. Do you shoot the BG or let him go and call the police?
If you shoot him, was it "legally" justified?
For whatever reason, you were surprised by a BG and you find youself with a small caliber pistol (.25 or .32) pointed at you. Before you can react, the BG shoots you in the chest area. Out of surprise (or any other reason) you fall down on your back, still conscious. Once you realize what has happened the BG has turned around and is slowly walking away (his back is to you). You don't think that your wound is going to be fatal and the BG doesn't seem to be a threat to you any longer and even seems to be unaware that your are still alive and breathing. For the sake of the senario, let's say that there are no other people around (no one else in danger). You have a cell phone and a CCW. Do you shoot the BG or let him go and call the police?
If you shoot him, was it "legally" justified?